Free rooftop, the Philharmonie's Belvedere reopens with an exceptional view

Looking for the best views of Paris without shaking your wallet? Then get out your zoom lens and head for the Philharmonie de Paris. The Philharmonie is the temple of music, especially classical music. The building, designed by architect Jean Novel, nestles in the Parc de la Villette in Paris's 19th arrondissement .

It's a beautiful building to behold. It extends over an area of 19,800 m2, replacing the former Paris-Bestiaux station, which once belonged to the SNCF. Imagine an aluminum hill adorned with horizontally superimposed cobblestones, intersected by a vertical fin to play on the lines of visual perspective. It's a real mound in the making.

The good news is that this recent building is open to all, and is accessible to people with reduced mobility. You'll have to search a bit for the elevator when you're at the bottom, but don't worry, it climbs all the way to the top. To get down, a gentle slope winds in a zigzag pattern, allowing us to observe the view in serenity. You can admire both the Eiffel Tower and the Sacré Coeur.

If you don't have a care in the world and don't fancy a bit of frolic, the rooftop can also be reached on foot, by climbing up the same gentle slope. Take the path from the lawn of the Parc de la Villette and climb to a height of 37 metres to admire the view over Paris.

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Once at the top, be sure to pass under the arch to discover the other side, beyond the ring road.

Jean Nouvel conceived the Philharmonie de Paris as a hill accessible to all. Along with the Buttes-Chaumont and the Butte Montmartre, it's the city's 3rd best viewpoint. From its belvedere, you can enjoy a vast panorama of northeastern Paris, where Paris and its suburbs merge into the distance.

The Belvedere is open from April to October, Wednesday to Sunday, from 12 to 8 pm, and is free to visit without reservation. From mid-September to October, it closes at sunset. Every Friday from April to mid-September, it is open until sunset, making it an ideal vantage point from which to admire the end of the day.