What to see around the Eiffel Tower ?

Tower observation points

There are number of sites around Paris that offer exceptional views of the Tower. We consider three of them must-see spots for the best possible souvenir of the Iron Lady.

Closest to the Tower is the Champ de Mars, where you can relax and stroll through the vast park. On the Palais de Chaillot side, the Trocadéro terraces also offer a stunning panorama of the Tower in its entirety. For an unobstructed view with the Seine in the foreground, visit Bir-Hakeim Bridge, where you’ll also find the Renaissance France statue.  
 

Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac 

At this museum, designed by architect Jean Nouvel (winner of the 2008 Pritzker Prize) and opened in 2006 by Jacques Chirac, travel to the heart of the art and civilizations of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, through 3,500 pieces and works displayed on the Main Collections Level and a rich program of temporary exhibitions.

More than just a museum visit, a unique experience awaits you. Access is free to the two-hectare garden, designed by Gilles Clément as a true haven of greenery in the heart of Paris. There are also dining options, with Café Jacques and restaurant “Les Ombres”, and a bookshop/gift store, so you can take an unforgettable souvenir of your trip home with you. 

The museum is situated just a few meters or a 5-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower. It welcomes you from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 am to 7 pm (Thursday night until 10 pm) at 37 quai Branly or 218 rue de l'université. During the school holidays (except in summer), the museum is also open on Mondays from 10.30am to 7pm. Closed on 25 December and 1 May.

For more information, consult the Quai Branly Museum website.
 

Musée de l'Homme 

Situated across from the Tower in the Palais de Chaillot, the Musée de l’Homme or Museum of Mankind offers a new vision of the human species through presentations on various biological, cultural, and societal aspects, as well as the history of our evolution over the centuries.  

Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going? The museum strives to answer these three major questions in its laboratory, collections, conferences, and film screenings. 

Enjoy a break in its restaurant, the Totem, which offers an amazing view of the Tower. The Musée de l'Homme is a 15-minute walk (crossing the Seine on the Pont d’Iéna) or a 10-minute bus ride from the Tower. It’s open Wednesday through Monday, from 11 am to 7 pm.

For more information, consult the Musée de l'Homme website.
 

The Guimet Museum 

The Guimet Museum is the largest museum in Europe dedicated entirely to Asian arts. For over 130 years, it has presented visitors with a vast collection of Asian art acquired during the travels of its eponymous founder, Emile Guimet, in Asia.

Japan, India, China, Korea, the Himalayas, Southeast Asia... as many places as there are collections inviting you to discover the history of these arts. 5 millennia of Asian art are presented through a collection of archaeological objects, ancient arts and textiles that is constantly being enriched and diversified. 

The National Museum of Asian Arts - Guimet is located near the Eiffel Tower, a 15-minute walk or an 8-minute bus ride away. It’s open from 10 am to 6 pm, Wednesday through Monday. 

For more information, consult the The National Museum of Asian Arts - Guimet website.
 

Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine

Spanning 22,000 square meters, the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine is the world’s largest architecture center. Classed as a historic landmark, its mission is to promote architecture through its library, museum, and school along with a line-up of temporary exhibits, conferences, and numerous activities for younger audiences. 

You’ll discover a vast collection of monumental sculptures and exceptional models demonstrating French architectural know-how from the Middle Ages to today while enjoying a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars.

Housed in the Palais de Chaillot, it can be reached in a 10-minute walk from the Tower and is open Wednesday through Monday, from 11 am to 7 pm, and Thursday until 9 pm. 

For more information, visit the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine website.
 

Paris Aquarium 

Inspired by Jules Verne’s book Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea, Cinéaqua is among the world’s premier aquariums. Nestled in the gardens of Trocadéro and renovated in 2006, it is currently home to 13,000 fish, 38 sharks, 2,500 jellyfish, and 700 colonies of coral in its 3,500 square meters. 

Numerous interactive activities, shows, and a restaurant allow you to take full advantage of your experience while discovering life under the sea. 

Located between Trocadéro and the Seine, Cinéaqua is a 10-minute walk from the Tower. It’s open every day from 10 am to 7 pm. 

For more information, consult the Paris Aquarium website.