Forget Trocadéro: 10 Secret Spots Where Parisians Actually Admire the Eiffel Tower
- Geraldine Provost
- Jul 20
- 7 min read
Let’s be honest—if you’ve come to Paris for that iconic Eiffel Tower photo and head straight to Trocadéro, we won’t blame you. It’s tradition. It’s convenient. And yes, it’s where travel influencers set up tripods at sunrise in hopes of an uninterrupted shot.
And then you realized… everyone else had the same idea.
If you don’t want to be like everyone else, get our Paris City e-Guide—because the real magic of Paris starts where the crowds stop.
But hey—if you’re going to Trocadéro, at least make it count. Be playful: frame the tower with the golden statues of the Palais de Chaillot, crouch for a low-angle shot with the tower looming dramatically overhead, or capture a romantic silhouette at sunset. Some even bring props—a red umbrella, a vintage bicycle, or a baguette wrapped in gingham. Because let’s face it: a little whimsy goes a long way in Paris.
Still, here’s a delicious secret: you don’t need to fight through crowds to fall in love with the Eiffel Tower. She’ll surprise you—peeking around a street corner, glowing in the distance, or shimmering in the Seine’s reflection.
Parisians don’t go to Trocadéro. They catch glimpses of her from rooftops, bridges, riverbanks, and charming backstreets that feel personal and even a little mischievous.
So whether you’re a seasoned flâneur or a first-timer with a fresh croissant in hand, here’s our ultimate guide to discovering the Eiffel Tower in unexpected places—plus photo tips, access details, and a pinch of Parisian attitude.
1. Musée de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine – A Culture Buff’s Secret View
📍 Palais de Chaillot, Trocadéro | Metro: Trocadéro
Now here’s a twist: just steps from the tourist mayhem of Trocadéro lies one of Paris’s quietest Eiffel Tower vantage points—inside a museum. The Cité de l’Architecture & du Patrimoine, tucked into the Palais de Chaillot, offers an elegant collection of French architectural masterpieces from medieval times to the 21st century.
But the real gem? The view from its massive windows, perfectly framing the Eiffel Tower, without the noise and selfie sticks outside.
🖼️ Photo tip: Snap the tower through the museum windows—artfully juxtaposed with gothic arches or Renaissance models for an intellectual edge to your Eiffel portfolio.
🕰️ Pro tip: Come late afternoon or early evening. The light hits just right, and it’s open until 7 p.m. most days.
🍽️ Feeling fancy? Dine at Girafe, the chic restaurant located just upstairs. Tower view + seafood = très chic.
2. Rue de l’Université – The Instagram Classic, But Make It Personal
📍 7th arrondissement | Closest metro: Alma-Marceau or La Tour-Maubourg
Yes, this one’s made the rounds on Instagram—but that doesn’t mean it’s lost its magic. Rue de l’Université, especially at the corner with Avenue de la Bourdonnais, offers a cinematic alley view with Haussmann buildings softly framing the Eiffel Tower like a Renaissance portrait.
📸 Photo tip: Avoid standing dead center like everyone else. Angle your shot from the curbside or beneath the leaves for a more editorial feel. Golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset) is key.
🧺 Bring: A pastel scarf, a good croissant, and your inner Amélie Poulain.
3. Square Rapp – For Those Who Want Paris to Feel Like a Secret
📍 33 Rue du Général Camou, 7th arrondissement | Closest metro: École Militaire
A gated courtyard that many still don’t know exists, Square Rapp offers an artful shot of the Eiffel Tower through Belle Époque architecture, thanks to the wildly decorative building designed by Jules Lavirotte.
It’s technically private property—so tread lightly and respectfully—but if you’re quick, you’ll catch one of the most romantic, symmetrical shots of the tower. For those with a love of architecture, this secret square offers more than a view—it’s a masterclass in Parisian detail.
🎨 Photo tip: Use the archway or wrought-iron gates to frame the tower. It's ideal for lovers of symmetry and sepia filters.
⚠️ Note: Be discreet and respectful—it’s a private residential space.
4. Seine River Cruises – When She Appears Like a Starlet at the End
🚢 Best embarkation: Port de la Bourdonnais or Pont Neuf
The Seine isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a front-row seat to Paris itself. Hop on a bateau-mouche or, better yet, a smaller electric péniche, and enjoy the city’s most famous monuments rolling by. The moment the Eiffel Tower emerges through the arches of Pont Alexandre III or gleams behind Pont Bir-Hakeim is chef’s kiss.
Add a string quartet, a flute of champagne, or just a breeze at dusk, and you’ll understand why locals say the Eiffel Tower was made to be seen from the river. It’s less about the selfie and more about the feeling.
🍽️ Best options:
Vedettes du Pont Neuf (for a laid-back aperitif cruise)
Bateaux Parisiens (for romance and a 3-course meal)
Ducasse sur Seine (for Michelin-style indulgence)
🎥 Photo tip: Head to the back of the boat to catch the full silhouette as the tower appears from around the bend.
5. Promenade Marie de Roumanie – Where Locals Walk and Kids Giggle
📍 Left Bank | Metro: Bir-Hakeim
If you want to blend in with the locals, head to this gentle riverside path where joggers and strolling families go about their days. It offers a side-angle view of the Eiffel Tower that’s surprisingly intimate.
🎠 Hidden charm: A small carousel near the Pont d’Iéna adds a vintage vibe to your shots—especially in late afternoon light.
📸 Family photo tip: Stand near the carousel and zoom out to include both ride and tower. Bonus points if the kids are mid-spin.
6. Pont de Bir-Hakeim – A Cinematic Masterpiece
📍 Metro: Bir-Hakeim | Line 6
Made famous in films like Inception, this two-level bridge is a marvel of industrial architecture. Whether you’re snapping from the pedestrian walkway or filming as the metro whisks by above you, the Eiffel Tower looms dramatically just downstream.
🎞️ Photo tip: Capture her from mid-bridge using the steel beams to create a tunnel effect.
📍 Getting there: Hop on Metro Line 6 and sit on the left-hand side when heading eastward for an unforgettable window view.
7. Pont Alexandre III – Where Glamour Lives
📍 Metro: Invalides
Want to impress your followers? Cross this ornate bridge at sunset when the light hits the Eiffel Tower behind the gilded statues. It’s opulent, over-the-top, and utterly unforgettable.
📸 Pose tip: Lean against the lamp posts or walk slowly across with a trench coat and a breeze.
📅 When to go: Just before the sparkle begins—ideally blue hour, when the city shifts from day to night.
8. Terrass’’ Hotel Rooftop Bar (Montmartre)– Cocktails Above the City
📍 12-14 Rue Joseph de Maistre, 18th | Metro: Abbesses
Nestled on a hill in bohemian Montmartre, the Terrass’’ Hotel rooftop offers one of the most elegant and relaxed Eiffel Tower views in Paris. Unlike the typical tourist crush, here you’ll find a sophisticated mix of locals, travelers in-the-know, and creatives nursing Negronis while watching the skyline turn pink.
The Eiffel Tower appears further away but all the more poetic, rising in the distance like a beacon. If Paris had a VIP viewing lounge for the tower, this would be it.
🍸 Cocktail to order: Try the “Montmartre Mule” with ginger beer and fresh basil. Trust us.
📅 Best time to visit: Reserve at golden hour and stay through the light show. Bonus: they serve tapas-style bites that are perfect for sharing.
8. Rooftop Bar at The Peninsula Paris – For Champagne and That "Wow" Moment
📍 19 Avenue Kléber, 16th arrondissement | Metro: Kléber
This isn’t just a rooftop. This is where Parisians in heels and cashmere come for sunset cocktails. Le Rooftop at The Peninsula Hotel offers sweeping views of Paris’s rooftops—with the Eiffel Tower dead ahead.
🥂 Order this: A champagne-based cocktail (you’re in France, after all) and sip slowly while watching the tower twinkle.
💰 Know before you go: There’s a 26€ per person minimum—but it’s worth it for the view and the impeccable service.
📸 Best photo spot: Head to the left corner of the terrace for a perfectly framed Eiffel + Montmartre skyline combo.
9. Parc du Champ de Mars – Picnics and Postcards
📍 7th arrondissement | Metro: École Militaire
It might sound obvious, but Champ de Mars is still a magical experience—especially at night. The wide lawns stretch out in front of the tower, creating postcard-perfect views for golden hour picnics or late-night lounging.
🧺 Tip: Arrive around 7:30 p.m. with a baguette, cheese, strawberries, and a bottle of chilled Sancerre. Stake out a spot near the mid-point of the park.
✨ Stay for the sparkle: The tower’s “illuminations” begin at nightfall and twinkle for five minutes at the top of each hour until 1 a.m.
📸 Photo note: Lie back and shoot the tower from ground level through wine glasses or your picnic spread—cheeky and très Instagrammable.
10. CitizenM’s CloudM Rooftop – The Cool Kid’s Eiffel Tower View
📍 CitizenM Champs-Élysées | Metro: Franklin D. Roosevelt
Want Eiffel Tower views without hotel concierge formality? CloudM is a hip rooftop bar at the trendy CitizenM hotel where you can lounge in cozy sofas with creative cocktails and laid-back vibes.
🍒 Drink to try: The Kir Royale—classic, elegant, and Parisian to the bone.
📸 Angle idea: Capture the Eiffel Tower in the distance with the glow of the Champs-Elysées below. Bonus points for catching the sparkle reflected in your cocktail glass.
BONUS: Arc de Triomphe – The Elevated All-in-One Paris View
📍 Place Charles de Gaulle | Metro: Charles de Gaulle–Étoile
Climb 284 steps (or take the elevator if you must), and you’re rewarded with a panorama that stretches from La Défense to Sacré-Cœur—with the Eiffel Tower elegantly positioned to the south.
🌆 When to go: Sunset or blue hour. The light show begins just as the city bathes in a golden glow.
📸 Local’s tip: Use a wide-angle lens to capture both the tower and the symmetry of the 12 grand avenues radiating from the Arc.
🎟️ Ticket tip: Book online in advance to skip the line, especially in peak seasons.
Final Note: How to Eiffel Like a Local
Don’t just look. Linger. Wander. Let yourself be surprised.
Whether you're sipping a Kir Royale from a rooftop, catching a glimpse from a métro window, or watching her glow across the river at midnight, remember: Paris isn’t just about finding the view. It’s about how the view finds you.
So next time you spot the Eiffel Tower—unexpected, unposed—just smile and say, merci.
Header Photo Credit: Kadir Avşar https://www.pexels.com/photo/paris-20170638/
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