tour de saint jacques

• Tour Saint-Jacques
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Description

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The last remaining vestige of the Church of Saint-Jacques-la-Boucherie , constructed in the 16th century and destroyed during the French Revolution , the St James Tower is an architectural gem of a flamboyant Gothic style . The starting point for the ancient pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, the church drew its name from its original location in Paris’ butchers guild district.

Major fashion brands have long replaced the butcher shops, and in their midst, the St James Tower represents a medieval incongruity well-deserving of a detour. At the foot of the tower, enjoy the garden in the small square built in 1856, and get a closer look at the impressive gargoyles and statues of saints , the delicate, stained glass windows and exquisitely carved patterns decorating the façade of the tower. Have fun finding the hidden symbols of the four Evangelists .

Secrets and mysteries of the Tour Saint-Jacques

Numerous legends have shaped the tower’s mysterious allure over the centuries, and every year from May to November the company, MagmaCultura , shares some of those secrets in guided tours of this memento of medieval Paris.

Give it your all, and climb to the top of the tower’s 300 steps ! From its summit, 54 meters above ground, Paris spreads out before you, offering an unrestricted panorama taking in the Sacré-Coeur , the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame .

Discover the Tour Saint-Jacques through one of the treasure hunts in the Paris Region Adventures application specially designed for families and downloadable free of charge.

Access and contact

• https://www.paris.fr/

Days and opening hours

All year round, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10 am and 5 pm. The Tower is open from May to November.

Spoken languages

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• Capelle Tourn / Ooshot / CRT Paris Ile-de-France

Expired session

Tour saint Jacques

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Tour saint Jacques Crédit photo : Flickr

La Tour Saint Jacques se situe en plein coeur de Paris, dans le 4ème arrondissement, non loin de la Mairie de Paris, du Louvre ou encore de Notre Dame . Cette tour de style gothique flamboyant se trouve actuellement dans un petit parc, à l'intersection des rues de Rivoli et Nicolas Flamel. La tour Saint-Jacques a été construite au XVIe siècle, plus précisément entre 1509 et 1523, comme partie d'une église dédiée à Saint Jacques le Majeur, le saint patron des pèlerins. Cette église connue sous le nom de l' église Saint Jacques de la boucherie était le point de départ pour le pèlerinage des Chrétiens qui allaient à Compostelle en Espagne. La tour était utilisée pour guider les pèlerins, car elle était, avec ses 54 mètres de hauteur, l'un des plus hauts points de Paris à l'époque. Au fil du temps, l'église a subi de nombreux changements et a finalement été démolie en 1797, pendant la Révolution française. La tour est la seule partie de l'église à échapper à la démolition. On raconte que la tour Saint-Jacques à Paris a survécu à la démolition en grande partie parce qu'elle était utilisée comme observatoire météorologique par l'Académie des sciences au 18e siècle. Mais cette relation à la science était plus profonde. En effet, en 1745, l'Académie a installé un instrument appelé "thermomètre à mercure" à l'intérieur de la tour pour mesurer la température de l'air. Cet instrument était le premier du genre à être utilisé en France pour mesurer la température. Plus tard, en 1774, Blaise Pascal, un scientifique français célèbre pour ses travaux en mathématiques et en physique, a effectué des expériences sur la pression atmosphérique à la Tour Saint-Jacques. Il a utilisé un baromètre pour mesurer la pression de l'air à différents niveaux de la tour, en montant et descendant l'escalier en colimaçon de la tour pour mesurer les changements de pression. Les travaux de Pascal sur la pression atmosphérique ont été essentiels pour la compréhension de la météorologie. Ils ont notamment conduit à des avancées dans d'autres domaines scientifiques. La Tour Saint-Jacques est donc un lieu important dans l'histoire de la météorologie et de la physique. Ainsi depuis 1891, le haut de la tour est devenu une station météorologique. Aujourd'hui encore, la tour est toujours utilisée pour des expériences scientifiques et des études météorologiques. Elle est équipée de capteurs modernes pour mesurer la température, la pression et d'autres données météorologiques, et elle sert de point de référence pour les mesures de la qualité de l'air à Paris. La tour a subi des restaurations majeures au fil des siècles pour la préserver, l'embellir et la maintenir debout. La première restauration majeure de la tour a eu lieu en 1836, après que des pierres de la tour se sont effritées et soient tombées sur la rue en dessous. La restauration a été supervisée par l'architecte Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Lassus, qui a remplacé les pierres endommagées et renforcé la structure de la tour. Il a également ajouté une statue de Saint Jacques, en bronze, au sommet de la tour pour remplacer l'ancienne statue en plomb qui avait été fondue pendant la Révolution française. En 1854, une deuxième restauration a été entreprise sous la direction de l'architecte Victor Baltard et de Théodore Ballu. Cette fois-ci, la tour a été entièrement démontée et reconstruite, avec l'ajout de nouveaux éléments architecturaux pour renforcer sa structure. La tour a également été surélevée de quelques mètres pour la rendre plus visible depuis les rues avoisinantes. Enfin, la dernière restauration majeure de la Tour Saint-Jacques a eu lieu en 2009. La tour a été restaurée à son état d'origine avec l'enlèvement des ajouts du XIXe siècle, tels que les contreforts et les balustrades, pour la rendre plus proche de son apparence d'origine. Cette restauration a également permis de renforcer la structure de la tour et de préserver sa longévité. Aujourd'hui, la Tour Saint-Jacques est un monument historique classé et est ouverte au public pour des visites guidées. Les visiteurs peuvent gravir les 300 marches en colimaçon pour admirer la vue imprenable sur Paris depuis le sommet de la tour. Le square de la Tour Saint Jacques attire aussi touristes et habitants du quartier par la beauté de ses plantations et l'élégance de ses pelouses, ce qui en fait un des plus beaux jardins publics de la capitale.

Questions - Réponses Tour saint Jacques

Qui a construit la tour saint jacques .

La Tour Saint-Jacques, située à Paris, est un monument isolé, reste d'une église du XVIe siècle, l'église Saint-Jacques-la-Boucherie, détruite après la Révolution française. Cette tour gothique de 52 mètres de hauteur était autrefois le point de départ des pèlerins se rendant à Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. Dominant le square Saint-Jacques, elle est célèbre pour sa richesse décorative, ses statues, et son sommet offrant une vue panoramique sur Paris. Elle a été classée monument historique en 1862 et a subi plusieurs restaurations.

Quelles expériences ont été réalisées dans la tour Saint Jacques ?

La Tour Saint-Jacques à Paris a servi de cadre à d'importantes expériences scientifiques. Au XIXe siècle, le physicien français Léon Foucault y réalisa des expériences démontrant la rotation de la Terre. En 1851, il y suspendit son célèbre pendule, un dispositif simple mais ingénieux qui, en oscillant constamment dans le même plan, révélait le mouvement de rotation de la Terre sous lui. Ces expériences ont été cruciales pour la compréhension de la dynamique terrestre et restent un jalon majeur de la physique.

Quels sont les animaux emblématiques dela tour Saint Jacques ?

La Tour Saint-Jacques à Paris est ornée de sculptures d'animaux emblématiques, parmi lesquels les plus remarquables sont les dragons. Ces créatures mythiques, sculptées avec un souci du détail, symbolisent la protection et sont un motif récurrent dans l'architecture gothique. En outre, la tour présente des gargouilles, figures typiques de ce style architectural, conçues pour évacuer l'eau de pluie et représentant diverses formes animales fantastiques. Ces éléments sculpturaux ajoutent à l'aura mystique et historique de la tour, témoignant de l'art et de la culture médiévale.

Qui est la statue sous la Tour Saint Jacques ?

Sous la Tour Saint-Jacques à Paris se trouve une statue de Blaise Pascal, le célèbre mathématicien, physicien et philosophe français du XVIIe siècle. Cette statue rend hommage à ses expériences sur la pression atmosphérique réalisées en 1648. Pascal a utilisé la hauteur de la tour pour ses expériences sur le baromètre, démontrant ainsi les variations de pression de l'air avec l'altitude, une contribution majeure à la science de la physique et de la météorologie.

Peut-on visiter la Tour Saint Jacques ?

Oui, la Tour Saint-Jacques à Paris est ouverte au public pour des visites, mais avec certaines restrictions. L'accès est limité à des visites guidées, généralement disponibles pendant les mois d'été et organisées par l'Office du Tourisme de Paris. Les visiteurs peuvent monter les 300 marches pour atteindre le sommet, offrant une vue panoramique impressionnante sur la ville. Cependant, les places sont limitées et les billets doivent souvent être réservés à l'avance en raison de la forte demande.

Quelles sont les plus belles vues de Paris ?

Paris regorge de points de vue époustouflants. La Tour Saint-Jacques, avec son panorama unique sur le cœur historique de la ville, est un incontournable. La Tour Eiffel offre des vues emblématiques depuis ses plateformes d'observation. Le sommet de la Basilique du Sacré-Cœur à Montmartre révèle une perspective romantique sur Paris. L'Arc de Triomphe offre une vue magnifique sur les Champs-Élysées. Le Centre Pompidou se distingue avec sa vue moderne sur le Marais, tandis que la Tour Montparnasse offre une vue panoramique sur toute la ville, y compris la Tour Eiffel.

Tarifs Tour saint Jacques

12€ par personne

10€ pour les moins de 18 ans, les étudiants et les chômeurs

L'accès au sommet est interdit aux moins de 10 ans.

Billet Tour saint Jacques

A partir de la Tour Saint Jacques, découvrez le reste des monuments de Paris. Notre partenaire a regroupé ici une sélection de bons plans et de billets coupe files ainsi que des billets combinés pour vous permettre de les réserver à l'avance. Planifiez ainsi votre séjour parisien en toute tranquillité et retrouvez les billets directement sur votre téléphone portable.

Acces Tour saint Jacques

Comment aller à la tour saint jacques .

C'est grâce à la station Chatelet que vous pourrez vous rendre à la tour Saint Jacques. cette station est déservie par les lignes de métro 1, 4, 7, 11 et 14.

Horaires Tour saint Jacques

Quels sont les horaires d'ouvertire de la tour saint jacques .

La Tour Saint Jacques est ouverte du vendredi au dimanche de 10 heures à 17 heures entre mai et novembre. Il n'est pas possible de visiter la Tour le reste de l'année.

Contact Tour saint Jacques

Telephone : 01 83 96 15 05

Carte Tour saint Jacques

Adresse : Tour Saint Jacques, 39 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris

Liens utiles Tour saint Jacques

• Site de l'office du tourisme de Paris

Vidéos Tour saint Jacques

Photos Tour saint Jacques

Discovering the Tour Saint-Jacques

Many people, tourists and Parisians alike, do not know the history of La Tour Saint-Jacques (St. James Tower in English). Perhaps because it only reopened in 2009 after a restoration that took almost 10 years. Even I, who have walked by it many times, only knew that it was the vestige of an old church.

Well, one of my resolutions was to discover the lonely Tour Saint-Jaques, so I’ll be sharing a summary of its history and what you should know if you want to visit it, plus a couple of fun facts as per usual!

HISTORY OF THE TOUR SAINT-JAQUES

To understand the history of the Tour Saint-Jacques, we must go back to the Paris that was surrounded by a medieval wall. The Company of Butchers (yes, nothing glamorous but very powerful, like the Company of Merchants that founded the Hôtel de Ville), settled outside the great market that was Châtelet. It is said that they had a lot of money and had a church built in honor of St. James the Great, on the remains of a temple found there and dating far back (there are even legends that speak of the time of Charlemagne).

Years later, the church was bought and dismantled on condition that the tower was preserved. It was later acquired by an industrialist to create a foundry for lead bullets for hunting. The height of the tower was sufficient for the falling lead drops to cool when they reached the bottom (50 meters high).

After two fires, the Tower was bought by the Mayor of Paris, and around 1852, when the excavation works of the Rue de Rivoli began, it was decided this place would be restored. This was largely financed by Nicolas Flamel, a French bourgeois millionaire, and even has his initials on the stained glass windows, as well as those of the architect Théodore Ballu.

The Tour Saint-Jacques bell tower is thus the only vestige of the Saint-Jacques-La-Boucherie church, which was built in honor of Saint James the Great. Its current decoration, in flamboyant Gothic style, is the result of another restoration process initiated by Napoleon III.

It was finally restored again between 2001 and 2009 and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage and the “Camino de Compostela”.

A TOWER FULL OF LEGENDS

Two legends caught my attention about this tower. The first is that it is said that during the Revolution the Saint-Jacques Tower was not demolished because Blaise Pascal (the famous mathematician and physicist) had resumed there his experiments on atmospheric pressure. This legend is false, because Pascal carried out these experiments in the Saint-Jacques-du-Haut-Pas church located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris.

The other is that Nicolas Flamel (who financed the restoration of the tower along with his wife, and of whom there is a representation in the north portal), was said to be an alchemist, who turned metals into gold having found the Philosopher’s Stone. Harry Potter fans will surely be interested! Well, it turns out that Flamel was very wealthy because he had had a prosperous career and because he married a wealthy widow. Certainly an interesting way to turn metal into gold.

HOW TO VISIT THE TOUR SAINT-JACQUES

Currently the Ville de Paris has handed over the organization of the tours of the Tour Saint-Jacques to the agency “Des Mots et des Arts”, a Parisian agency, which organizes workshops, guided tours and thematic tours (very interesting for history fans).

The tours are mainly in French, but also in English. If you feel like it, and do not have knee problems, heart or claustrophobia, you can easily book your visit on the website of the agency in charge and access this unique place. Entry is only available during the summer starting at 10€ and it is strictly forbidden for children under 10 years old and babies.

You must book and pay online (the groups are small), the day of the visit arrive very punctual at the reception place (a small blue booth at the side of the park), the attendants will verify your registration, give you a ticket, and then the visit begins.

The introduction is at the base of the tower, and then the ascent beginsThe introduction is at the base of the tower, and then you start the ascent to a first level (50 steps to warm up your knees), then 70 more and finally the rest, for a total of 300 steps (it’s like climbing the Arc de Triomphe).

The view of Paris will leave you speechless.

Fun Fact 1:

The Place de la Tour Saint-Jacques was the first endowed and equipped square in Paris and was created in 1856 after the acquisition of the land by the City of Paris. This was part of the great transformations carried out in the city by Baron Haussmann, which sought to improve hygiene and circulation in the city center.

To get to the Place de la Tour Saint-Jacques (Square de la Tour Saint-Jacques) you can take Metro Lines 1, 4, 7, and 11 and get off at Châtelet (and walk 4 minutes) or Metro Lines 1 and 11 to Hôtel De Ville, and walk on Rue de Rivoli until you meet the square and the tower.

Fun Fact 2:

At the top of the Tower, you’ll find gargoyles, a large statue of St. James (standing) and 4 allegorical representations: The Lion (St. Mark), the Bull (St. Luke), the Angel (St. Matthew) and the Eagle (St. John). These statues are approximately 4 meters high and are accompanied by 18 statues of saints that decorate the sides of the tower.

So you know, if you come in summer and until November 3, you can take a guided tour of the Tour Saint-Jacques. Between 10:00 a.m. and 17h00 (5 p.m.) from Friday to Sunday. Tickets are available on the website Des Mots et Des Arts or directly at the ticket window (a little blue house on one side of the park). If you don’t want to worry about anything, you can ask us to design a personalized guide, where we can create an itinerary that fits your needs!

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Tour Saint-Jacques, the ancient bell tower with its sublime view over Paris, open from May to November

How about an incredible view of Paris ? Head for the top of the Tour Saint-Jacques , accessible only for part of the year, between May 17 and November 10, 2024 , to discover this medieval tower, built between 1509 and 1523, the starting point of the Compostelle pilgrimage. For the rest of the year, it can only be admired from below, in the square of the same name.

The statue of Blaise Pascal stands in the center at the finish line. History has it that he conducted barometric experiments here. The tower is designed in Gothic style , with gargoyles and other ornamental moldings thanks to the particularly hard "liais" bench and the stone extracted from the Saint-Leu quarries in the Oise region. The Tour Saint-Jacques is located in the heart of the capital , at the center of the commercial thoroughfares (rue Saint-Denis, rue Saint-Martin and rue des Ecrivains, now rue de Rivoli).

It's a place steeped in history , home to a lead shot factory from 1824 to 1836, and once the heart of a monumental church, Saint-Jacques-la-Boucherie , where Nicolas Flamel is buried. In 1853, historian N.--M. Troche suggested transforming the tower into a clock, and Paris incorporated the Montsouris municipal meteorological observatory until 1898.

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Guided tours are offered by the MagmaCultura agency, in partnership with the City of Paris, from 10am to 6pm, Wednesday to Sunday , by reservation only. Don't forget to bring good shoes, as you'll have to climb 300 steps to earn this superb view of the capital. For this reason, access is forbidden to children under 10 and people with heart problems.

To get to the Tour Saint-Jacques, you can get off at Châtelet , on lines 4, 7, 14, 11 and 1, as well as RER lines A, B and D.

Refer your establishment, click here Promote your event, click here

Location La Tour Saint Jacques Square Saint-Jacques 75004 Paris 4

Prices -18ans, étudiants et chômeurs: €10 Tarif normal: €12

Recommended age From 12 to 80 years old

Average duration 1 h

Official website www.toursaintjacques.fr

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Tour Saint-Jacques

Tour Saint Jacques or Saint-Jacques Tower is a gothic bell tower that was built between 1509 and 1523. It was part of the church of Saint Jacques de la Boucherie (Saint James of the butchery). The naming was derived from the nearby Les Halles market where butchers heavily traded. Before its destruction the church and its iconic tower was popular, welcoming Pilgrims from all around who were readying for their long pilgrimage journeys. It was dedicated to Saint James the Great. The church of Saint Jacques de la Boucherie was built at around the same time as the tower, was a preferred initial destination of religious pilgrims who used to take pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. It was also the religious place for the butchers who were the patrons that inspired its creation. However, like most other churches, it met its downfall during the French Revolution. It was taken down, but the tower was spared. While it may have seemed that Tour Saint Jacques would be an incomplete establishment with its church missing, it was the exact opposite. As a stand alone monument, it was deemed complete, and worthy enough to be preserved. It was declared a national monument in 1862, exactly 26 years later after it was obtained by the City of Paris. In honor of the saint that the former church was consecrated for, a statue of Saint James was installed at the top of the tower. Tour Saint Jacques is a monument even in terms of size. At 52m tall, the tower is a colossal figure that is easily appreciated even from a distance. Its architecture is heavily gothic with a lot of ornamental detail. Stained glass is also used, like most creations of that age, though the windows are narrower, and therefore the beauty of the glass is not fully observable (In any case, for a real display of stained glass in all its glamour, there is the Sainte-Chapelle among others). At the base of the tower is a sculpture of the physicist Blaise Pascal who had a laboratory inside the tower. Tour Saint Jacques has been renovated more than once, with the first instance being in the 19th century. At this time, the tour was placed on a pedestal. This was because of the leveling that was going around at the time. With the pedestal installed, the tower’s height did not change, but the ground level was. A park was built around the tower, and it still exists even today. A second renovation was deemed necessary after it was investigated and found that the stone used to build it was not going to be permanent. The scaffolding was getting weak, and the stone was cracking. A modern renovation was commenced in 2006 and both the tower, and the park which was also renovated, were opened in 2009 to the public. The Tour Saint Jacques is one of the monuments that display gothic architecture at its best. It is richly decorated and located right in the center of Paris.

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A Brief History of the Tour Saint-Jacques in Paris

What is the tour saint-jacques.

The Tour Saint-Jacques, or saint-jacques tower in English, is an elaborate 16th-century Flamboyant Gothic tower in Paris that was a meeting point for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

Tour Saint-Jacques History

Legend has it that the body of Saint James, one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles, was carried in a stone boat from Jerusalem to the Galician coast in northern Spain. In the 9th century, his remains were discovered by a local shepherd, and a shrine was built in his honour in Santiago de Compostela.

For the past thousand years, Christian pilgrims have made the arduous journey from all over Europe to pay homage to Saint James’ shrine. Although now a standalone Flamboyant Gothic tower, there was once a church on this spot named after the revered Apostle, a rallying point for pilgrims on the road to northern Spain. The church itself, however, was known by the longer name Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie (or Saint James of the Butchers), after the many butchers who worked at the nearby market of Les Halles and were the wealthy patrons of the church.

Much of the building was destroyed during the French Revolution, and in 1797, the medieval church was sold to an entrepreneur who made no secret of his intention to demolish the structure. Fortunately, since the French government decided to indemnify the new owner for the material value of the building’s stonework, and included the building in a proposed list of eleven ‘historic monuments’, the tower was saved. Tour Saint-Jacques stands at an imposing 52 metres tall, and due to its shape was later converted into a shot tower, a structure used for making small shot balls for guns. This was done by allowing molten lead to pass through a sieve at the top of the tower, where it would fall down into a tub of water, cool and harden in the shape of a bullet.

Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie was the burial place of Nicolas Flamel, a 14th-century Parisian scribe who became a patron of the church. Some 200 years after his death, Flamel was the subject of a myth that alleged he had discovered the Philosopher’s Stone, which turned base metals into gold and silver, and enabled him and his wife to become immortal. If you recognize the name but are unfamiliar with the history, it may be due to the fact he has appeared in a number of works of fiction, most famously in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone , for obvious reasons.

The tower also has further philosophical connections. There’s a statue of the famous scientist and philosopher Blaise Pascal, which can be found at the base of the tower, who used it in the mid-17th century to conduct experiments on atmospheric pressure and the use of weights (before Isaac Newton discovered the laws of gravity).

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A climb to the top of the Tour Saint-Jacques, Paris

Last Updated:  11 August 2022

Only a few people have been able to climb the  Tour Saint-Jacques , a single tower that rises in the centre of Paris . Many don’t even notice the monument as their paths lead them straight to famous landmarks in the vicinity: Notre-Dame , Sainte-Chapelle , the banks of River Seine … and the shopping precinct of rue de Rivoli. Here is a selection of photos taken during our ascent. At the end of the article, I’ll tell you how you can plan your ascent to the tower and enjoy breathtaking views over Paris!

What about Tour Saint-Jacques? 

Bearing witness to the past of the Right Bank, the Saint-Jacques Tower is a Parisian monument that cannot be overlooked. Since its full restoration in the 2000s, the former bell tower of a church which no longer exists has been opened to the public by its owner, the Municipality of Paris. We booked in advance and came to visit the inside and the top of the tower yesterday.

Situated in the neighbourhood of  Châtelet  in the  4th arrondissement of Paris, the curious Saint-Jacques Tower stands alone, surrounded by the trees and lawns of the Square de la Tour Saint-Jacques.

From the public garden, the Flamboyant Gothic features of the tower are clearly visible, particularly at the top of the tower:

To the top of the Tour Saint-Jacques

Please note! This account dates back to our last ascent to the tower in 2015. Since then, a few things have changed (a different tour agency, the great fire of Notre-Dame, etc.), which explained you might have only a slightly different experience.

We started our guided tour of the tower at the west side gate, where the friendly guide welcomed us. Around 12 people joined the group, and the visit started at 10 am at the base of the tower for a historical presentation of the tower.

By the statue of Blaise Pascal , the tour guide explained the troubled past of the former church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie and the destiny of its bell tower, which was saved from demolition during the French Revolution. Now we are ready for the ascent of 300 steps!

Following the presentation, we climbed a short flight of spiral stairs to reach the first floor. Inside were artefacts left by the craftsmen who participated in the recent restoration. The tour guide explained the phases of restoration from the 19th century to the 2000s.

The 19th-century restoration

The 19th-century restoration programme took place at a time when Gothic architecture was rediscovered.

Under the auspices of writers (Victor Hugo) and with architects’ passion, many Gothic churches and monuments were restored.

Viollet-le-Duc is famous for its work on Carcassonne , Pierrefonds and notably Notre-Dame Cathedral , where he added fantastic creatures made of stone: the chimeras.

Tour Saint-Jacques was no exception to the rule, and many additions were made when restoring the site. An example of this is the beautiful siren (see photo below) added in the 19th century to the tower’s façade, knowing that sirens were not at all fantastic creatures depicted in the Middle Ages!

The location of the former bells

The second flight of stairs of approximately 80 steps led us to another fascinating floor where the ceiling is the actual top of the tower. The tower housed a carillon with 12 bells when it was the bell tower of the church. It was one of the finest in Paris after that of Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Reaching the platform

The longest climb finally got us to the tower’s summit at 60 metres high, where the group discovered one of the most beautiful views of Paris. For our tour guide, it is the most stunning view due to the central position of the tower: a 360-degree view makes the monuments and landmarks of Paris so close and offers unexpected perspectives.

With a good lens, the Eiffel Tower reveals its iron laces. In the forefront rises the neo-Gothic basilica of Sainte-Clotilde :

View of the Île de la Cité in the forefront and the Left Bank in the background. You can spot several monuments: the Tribunal de Commerce, the Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle, the Saint-Sulpice and Saint-Germain-des-Prés churches, the Montparnasse Tower and the Panthéon (under restoration):

The long façade of the Conciergerie on the Île de la Cité with the neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés behind it. You can see the dark skyscraper of Montparnasse Tower in the background:

A gargoyle overlooking the first arrondissement of Paris:

The modern structure of the Pompidou Centre and the Gothic church of Saint-Merri in the forefront:

The best place to view Haussmann’s work

A stunning view reveals the work of Baron Haussmann in the mid-1850: boulevard de Sébastopol leading to the Gare du Nord. The shady street marks the boundary between Paris’s 1st (left) and 4th (right) arrondissements. To the left, the neighbourhood of Les Halles (with the new canopy and Saint-Eustache church) and the hill of Montmartre:  

To the left: the perspective of rue de Rivoli leading up to the Place de la Concorde. You can see the CBD of La Défense in the background.

To the right: the district of Les Halles with Saint-Eustache church and the hill of Montmartre.

A closer look at the perspective of rue de Rivoli created by Baron Haussmann in the mid-1850s:

A stunning view of the Historical Axis of Paris (la Voie Triomphale). From the Louvre, the axis runs through the Tuileries Garden, the Place de la Concorde (see the Luxor Obelisk), the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the Grande-Arche de la Défense (under restoration in 2015):

The Musée d’Orsay and the banks of River Seine:

The Pont des Arts without the love-locks! In 2015 the City of Paris replaced the locks with temporary pinkish deck rails before the installation of new transparent panels:

The best place to see the landmarks of Paris

Two domes in the same picture: the small dome of the Institut de France and the golden dome of Les Invalides:

In the forefront is the dome of the Bourse du Commerce (1st arrondissement) and the massive complex of Opéra Garnier in the background:

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica standing atop the hill of Montmartre:

A closer look at the church of Saint-Eustache, one of Paris’ most beautiful churches:

The Rue de Rivoli and Rue Saint-Antoine looking eastwards (4th arrondissement):

The Romanesque bell tower of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of the oldest churches in Paris:

 The Île Saint-Louis and its romantic quays:  

A closer look at the Gothic features of the Palace of Justice with the towers of the Conciergerie and the Sainte-Chapelle:

Saint-Sulpice (6th arrondissement), Paris’ second biggest church after Notre-Dame cathedral:

The trees of boulevard Saint-Michel, marking the boundary between the 5th (left) and 6th (right) arrondissements:

The Panthéon and its impressively tall crane (2015-2016 restoration):

The Fontaine du Palmier (Palm tree fountain) overlooks the Place du Châtelet and the banks of the River Seine:

How to book the climb!

To visit the monument, book online here .

Fees: Adult: 12 euros, Concession: 10 euros.

Please note:

• The climb is not accessible to children under ten years old.
• The ascent can be difficult as it takes place through a long narrow spiral staircase.
• Therefore, it is best to be in (very) good physical condition and not be prone to dizziness or claustrophobia.

Opening times (2022)

• From Friday 10 June to Sunday 13 November 2022
• Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
• From 10 am to 6 pm.

The guided tour proposed by the MagmaCultura agency retraces the history of the former bell tower of the Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie church, which has dominated the landscape of the right bank of the Seine for five centuries.

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About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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I finally timed my 10th visit to Paris correctly and was able to do the tower tour in September ‘21. Five of us were guided by two very pleasant and knowledgeable young folks who seemed to truly enjoy their work. I’ve been to just about all of the “high” points from which to view the city, and the Tour Saint-Jacques is right there near the top. You’re high enough to see a lot, but not so high that you lose perspective of the details. The climb, if you are healthy enough, is well worth the effort! 🤙🏽

Thank you, Greg for telling us about your visit (and climb!) to the Tour Saint-Jacques!

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24 PLACES TO SEE IN FRANCE

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Sept choses à savoir sur la tour Saint-Jacques

Vestige d'une église, elle est le point de départ d'un célèbre pèlerinage

Blaise Pascal y a réalisé des expériences

Une station météorologique y est déployée à partir de 1891

Un lion, un taureau, un aigle et un ange la surplombent

Les travaux d'Haussmann sont pour beaucoup dans sa mise en valeur

Elle offre l’une des plus belles vues panoramiques de Paris…

Elle ne se visite que de mai à novembre… et elle se mérite !

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Time in Elektrostal , Moscow Oblast, Russia now

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Time zone info for Elektrostal

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• The IANA time zone identifier for Elektrostal is Europe/Moscow.

Time difference from Elektrostal

Sunrise, sunset, day length and solar time for elektrostal.

• Sunrise: 03:41AM
• Sunset: 09:09PM
• Day length: 17h 28m
• Solar noon: 12:25PM
• The current local time in Elektrostal is 25 minutes ahead of apparent solar time.

Elektrostal on the map

• Location: Moscow Oblast, Russia
• Latitude: 55.79. Longitude: 38.46
• Population: 144,000

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Electrostal History and Art Museum

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1. Electrostal History and Art Museum

2. Statue of Lenin

3. Park of Culture and Leisure

4. museum and exhibition center.

5. Museum of Labor Glory

7. Galereya Kino

8. viki cinema, 9. smokygrove.

10. Gandikap

11. papa lounge bar, 12. karaoke bar.