PARIS - France 2014 - page 185

Galeries Lafayette or Printemps: Take the escalator to the top floor of either
departmentstore(theysitsidebyside)forastunningoverlookoftheoldOpéradis-
trict (free).
Montparnasse Tower: The top of this solitary skyscraper has some of the best
views in Paris, though they're disappointing after dark. Zip up 56 floors on the el-
evator, then walk to the rooftop (not covered by Museum Pass, see here ) .
Pompidou Center: Take the escalator up and admire the beautiful cityscape
alongwiththeexciting modernart.There maybebetter views overParis, butthisis
the best one from a museum (covered by Museum Pass, see here ).
Place du Trocadéro and Café Carlu: This is the place to see the Eiffel Tower.
Come for a look at Monsieur Eiffel's festive creation day or night (when the tower
is lit up). Consider starting or ending your Eiffel Tower visit at Place du Trocadéro
(see here ) andhavingadrinkorsnackoutsideatCaféCarlu(withintheArchitecture
and Monuments Museum but open to the public). With its privileged spot on Place
du Trocadéro, this café offers dramatic views of the Eiffel Tower from its terrace
tables (Wed-Mon 11:00-19:00, Thu until 21:00, closed Tue).
Arab World Institute (Institut du Monde Arabe): This building near Ile St.
Louis has free views from its terrific roof terrace (Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, closed
Mon, 1 Rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard, Place Mohammed V, Mo: Jussieu,
www.imarabe.org ) .
Bar at Hôtel Concorde-Lafayette: This otherwise unappealing hotel is note-
worthyforitsrazzle-dazzle33rd-floorbar(BarlaVue),whereyoucansipwineand
enjoy a stunning Parisian panorama (free elevator but pricey drinks, bar open daily
17:00-1:00 in the morning, tel. [phone], www.concorde-lafayette.com ).
Cost and Hours: Free, Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, Thu until 20:00 for temporary exhib-
itions (fee for those exhibits), closed Mon; audioguide-€5; across from Grand Palais on
Avenue Winston Churchill, a looooong block west of Place de la Concorde, Mo: Champs-
Elysées Clemenceau; tel. [phone], www.petitpalais.paris.fr .
Grand Palais
This grand exhibition hall, built for the 1900 World's Fair, is used for temporary exhibits.
The building's Industrial Age, erector-set, iron-and-glass exterior is striking, but the steep
entry price is only worthwhile if you're interested in any of the several different exhibi-
tions (each with different hours and costs, located in various parts of the building). Many