If you love Paris, the City of Lights, you might be equally amazed by Parisian skyscrapers. There are currently 17 skyscrapers on Île-de-France, but most of them are outside Paris. Times are changing, however, and it is very likely that Parisian skyscrapers will soon be on the horizon.
However, Paris still has a number of historical landmarks that offer beautiful views. Whether you take the elevator or climb the stairs, the city has a number of buildings where you can eat, drink, and enjoy the view.
However, compared to cities like New York, Hong Kong and Dubai, Paris has very few skyscrapers within the city limits. Higher residences are very limited in number. This is why Parisian skyscrapers are so rare these days.
LaDéfens, the business district, has skyscrapers. This is in the west outside the city. The 13th district also has Parisian skyscrapers, but none reaches more than 37 floors. The 15th district, Front de Seine, which meets the river, has Parisian skyscrapers that serve as apartment blocks. However, the Paris skyline in the heart of the city is largely free of skyscrapers.
Let’s take a look at famous buildings in Paris as well as some of the tallest buildings in Paris to come.
Check out these amazing Parisian skyscrapers
Tour Montparnasse
This Paris tower is the only real skyscraper in the city. The decision to modernize this Paris building was made in 1934. It was not until 1959 that the building was examined and a competition for the best designs was launched. The winning designs came from the architects Jean Saubot, EugèneBeaudouin and UrbainCassan. These winners were announced in 1969 and the project was approved by President Georges Pompidou. After four years of construction, the tower in Paris was finally completed. The building was inaugurated on June 18, 1973.
This Parisian skyscraper is really an office building. However, the public can view the Paris skyline from both the 56th floor and the roof. From here you can watch the lights come on over the city and watch the most famous tower in Paris, the Eiffel Tower, illuminate the night sky. Enjoy a glass of champagne on the rooftop or a meal in the restaurant and bar while looking out over the City of Lights.
Tour triangle
Tour Triangle, one of the most modern skyscrapers in Paris, received objections from heritage organizations. However, work on this Paris tower began in June 2015. The Tour Tower in Paris offers 120 rooms for hotel guests and 70,000 m2 of office space. At the mayor’s insistence, cultural and childcare facilities are also offered.
The architects Herzog & de Meuron, who worked on the Tate Modern and the Bird’s Nest Stadium, designed this beautiful Parisian tower. Construction began in 2017 and the building will be completed by 2020.
Duo Paris
The Duo Paris is a courthouse with three different levels. It will end with 90 different courtrooms and 104,000 square feet of space. This courthouse can handle over 9,000 cases a day.
This is one of the new skyscrapers to be contested. It was designed by Renzo Piano between 2012 and 2014 and met resistance from lawyers. These lawyers wanted to stay in the Palais de Justice on the Île de la Cité. The appeal was unsuccessful and development began in May 2015. The Tribunal de Grande Instance (TGI) of Paris means a new skyscraper for the Paris skyline.
Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile
The Hyatt Regency joins the skyscrapers of Paris as it stands over 190 meters high and reaches that height with its 53 meter antenna.
This Paris tower was built in the 1960s due to the high level of tourism in the region. It is a Parisian tower designed by Henri Guibout, Serge Maloletenkov and Yves Betin
Les Orgues de Flandre
Parisian skyscrapers are not always as tall as towers from other cities around the world. The same applies to the Orgues de Flandre (organs of Flanders).
Officially, this Paris tower falls 26 m below the height of the skyscraper benchmark. However, it is still a formidable addition to the Paris skyline.
It was built over 6 years between 1974 and 1980 and designed by Martin van Trek.
There are many 15-story buildings in this development as well as three other Parisian towers including the Tour Sonate at 90m and the Tour Cantate at 101m.
Pullman Paris Montparnasse Hotel
Hotels are increasing the number of skyscrapers in Paris, and so is The Pullman Paris. The hotel has 31 floors and is located in the 14th district.
As a hotel, it is the second largest tower in Paris, only beaten by the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile. Although it is smaller, it has three additional bedrooms. The building designed by Pierre Dufau was completed in 1974. It has been renamed several times and is known as the Paris-Sheraton Hotel and the HôtelMéridien Montparnasse. It is known not only for its place on the Paris skyline, but also for its pool hall and bowling alley.
Tour Areva
Tour Areva (formerly known as Tour Framatome and Tour Fiat) is an office skyscraper in La Défense, a high-rise business district, in the commune of Courbevoie, France, west of Paris.
The tower, built in 1974, is 184 m high. The exterior of the building is made of granite and is completely black. With its darkened windows, it keeps a mysterious look. It is in the shape of a prism and has a modern design. This Paris tower is said to be inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey film.
Tour total
Tour Total is one of the Parisian skyscrapers that was erected just outside (and to the west) of the city.
This Paris tower, designed as an office building, has a modern interior. It is the headquarters of the large oil company Total SA. It was also known as Tour Elf from 1985 to 1999 and Tour TotalFinaElf from 1999 to 2003.
The tower opened in 1985 as one of the tallest buildings in France. It is currently the fourth tallest building in France and 190 meters high. It has a 3m antenna on the roof, without which it would measure 187m. Although it stands alone as one of Paris’ unique skyscrapers, it was built in a place that was originally reserved for another building. This building should be a twin of Tour Areva.
Tour T1
Office buildings are well-known Parisian skyscrapers, and this also applies to Tour T1. This Paris tower was also known as the Tour GDF Suez. The building is located in La Défense, a business district west of Paris.
The construction of this Paris tower took place between 2005 and 2008. The building was finally opened in 2008. The tower reaches 185 m, making it the third tallest building in the business district. The building was fully inhabited by GDF Suez from 2010.
Tour granite
Tour Granite is one of the business skyscrapers in La Defense, west of Paris.
It is clearly visible along the Paris skyline and was opened in 2008.
Like all Parisian skyscrapers, Tour Granite has an interesting architecture. It was designed by Christian de Portzamparc, a French architect. As the fifth tallest tower in Paris in La Defense, it is clearly visible under the skyscrapers of Paris due to its steep roof.
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