Did you know? Paris is a hilly city, offering magnificent panoramic views from its various hills. The question then arises: what is the highest point in Paris? In the category of knowledge useful for social brilliance (or useless in the common view), I call the highest point of Paris! The answer is more complex than it might seem, and really depends on whether it's public or private.
In the private sector, Montmartre is the capital's highest point, culminating at 130.53 meters above sea level in the Calvaire cemetery, next to the Saint-Pierre de Montmartre church. The cemetery, listed as a historic monument, is only open to the public one day a year: All Saints' Day on November 1.
In the public domain, however, it's not Montmartre that's the place to be, but Belleville! At the entrance to the Belleville cemetery (40, rue du Télégraphe), a plaque states that "this altitude marker, situated at 128.508 metres above mean sea level, is the highest in the public domain of the city of Paris". Montmartre, meanwhile, culminates at 128.21 meters above sea level in the public domain.
It is interesting to note that Belleville and Montmartre have always disputed possession of the capital's highest point. The difference between the two is minimal: only a few centimetres separate the two hills. Yet Belleville is the highest point in Paris in the public domain!
Considering all types of domains and infrastructures, the highest point in Paris is undoubtedly the top of the Eiffel Tower, which rises to 324 meters thanks to its broadcasting antennas.
So, whether you're a lover of history, curiosities or simply looking for a unique panorama of the City of Light, don't hesitate to head to Belleville and Montmartre to discover these unusual places. Who knows, maybe this experience will inspire you to explore even more of Paris' secrets?
And if you're looking for the highest natural point in the Ile-de-France region, Verdelot in Seine-et-Marne takes the cake with its 215.6 m height. The lowest is Port-Villez in the Yvelines, at just 11 metres. From a less natural and man-made point of view, it's the hill of Elancourt, also known as colline de la Revanche, which dominates the Ile-de-France region at 231 m high. Currently undergoing a major transformation, this hill will host the mountain bike course for the Olympic Games.
To give you an idea of the Parisian average, it's around 33 m, at the height of the Hôtel de Ville de Paris. Finally, if you're looking for the highest point in the inner suburbs, you'll have to go to Meudon in its forest to climb to 180 m.
The highest points of view in Paris: these monuments that offer us a crazy panorama
Want to get some height? Then we suggest you to discover the monuments which offer us the most beautiful and high points of view on the capital! Here is the guide for a visit at the top! [Read more]
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The highest points of view in Paris: these monuments that offer us a crazy panorama
Rooftops in Paris: The most beautiful perched terraces for a breathtaking view
