Updated on 17 December 2025
Looking for a memorable Paris “city tour” without the tour-bus price tag? Two ordinary public-transport routes deliver exceptional sightseeing for about the cost of a single ride: Metro Line 6 and Bus 69. One runs largely above ground on elegant steel viaducts with sweeping Eiffel Tower views; the other glides at street level past a chain of big-name sights and lively neighborhoods — perfect for hop-off micro-walks.
This guide shows you how to ride both like a local: where to sit, which segments shine, when to go for the best light, and how to combine quick stop-offs with classic landmarks.
- Tickets: Quick Start
- Why these two routes work so well
- Safety & etiquette (kept short and useful)
- Metro Line 6: the elevated “view line”
- Bus 69: the street-level “greatest hits” ride
- Two easy €2.50 tours to copy now
- Accessibility notes
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Fun facts to share en route
- Plan it with Paris For You
Speed & frequency: trains every few minutes; predictable end-to-end time.
Iconic views from above: long elevated sections with multiple Eiffel angles.
Easy transfers: fast connections across the network.
Street-level Paris: façades, bridges, café life, and flexible hop-offs.
Low-stress navigation: no deep platforms; front-row sightseeing.
Micro-walks: 5–15 minute detours to squares, bridges, and museum forecourts.
Tickets: Paper tickets are no longer sold (since 5 Nov 2025). Buy a single ride on Navigo Easy or use phone tickets in the official apps. Validate at gates (metro) or on boarding (bus) and keep your proof of payment.
New (buses only): You can pay on board with a contactless bank card for a single bus ride. No transfers included and pricing may differ. Metro/RER gates don’t accept bank cards—use Navigo Easy or phone tickets there.
Timing: For views and seats, ride off-peak (avoid ~08:00–09:30 & 17:00–19:00).
Photos: Through glass, hold the phone close and at a slight angle; when in doubt, hop off for a cleaner shot.
Accessibility: Buses are low-floor with ramps; some metro stations have stairs—plan station-by-station if lifts matter.
Fares can change. Treat “€2.50” as shorthand for about the price of a single ride. Since 5 November 2025, paper tickets are no longer sold in Île-de-France. Buy/load your ride on a Navigo Easy card or use phone tickets in the official apps. Always check current fares before you go.
Tickets: Quick Start
- Single ride: Buy/load on a Navigo Easy card or purchase phone tickets in the official Île-de-France Mobilités / Bonjour RATP apps. Works on metro, buses and trams within Paris.
- Pass options: If you’ll ride several times in a day, consider a day or weekly pass loaded onto Navigo Easy or bought in-app (exact names and prices can change — check the official app on the day).
- Validation: Metro — tap/scan at the gates. Bus — validate on boarding (phone or card). Keep your proof of payment until the end of the trip.
- Transfers: Metro↔metro inside the system are included; bus↔bus transfers are time-limited and require re-validation (check the current window in the app).
- Peak hours: ~08:00–09:30 and 17:00–19:00. For views and seats, travel off-peak.
Note: any paper tickets you already own may remain usable for a limited period, but they’re no longer sold. Plan on Navigo Easy or phone tickets going forward.
Why these two routes work so well
- Metro Line 6 (red on the map) is one of Paris’s most scenic lines thanks to its long elevated sections. Between Trocadéro, Passy, Bir-Hakeim and La Motte-Picquet – Grenelle, the train offers multiple angles of the Eiffel Tower and crosses the Seine on the photogenic Bir-Hakeim bridge.
- Bus 69 (blue on the map) strings together a street-level panorama from the eastern neighborhoods (Gambetta/Père-Lachaise area) through Bastille, the Hôtel de Ville/Marais vicinity, across the river near Musée d’Orsay/Assemblée Nationale, past Les Invalides, and onward to École Militaire / Champ de Mars.
Together they deliver two complementary experiences for the price of a coffee: an airy architectural ride above the rooftops and a close-up glide through everyday city life.
Safety & etiquette (kept short and useful)
- Keep bags zipped, in front of you, especially near doors.
- Let people exit before boarding; don’t block doors for photos.
- Offer priority seats when needed; fold strollers at busy times.
- Late rides are generally fine on these routes; if you’re solo, prefer busy times and well-lit areas. For a wider area sense, see our Paris Arrondissements Guide.
Metro Line 6: the elevated “view line”
Best direction for Eiffel views: Charles-de-Gaulle–Étoile → Nation.
Best side to sit: Usually the right-hand side in that direction; left-hand side in the opposite direction.
Highlight segment
Étoile → Trocadéro → Passy → Bir-Hakeim → La Motte-Picquet – Grenelle
- Elevated track frames long views of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine.
- The Passy ↔ Bir-Hakeim river crossing is the signature moment.
- Quick hop-offs:
- Trocadéro — panoramic terrace facing the tower (great for a 10-minute detour).
- Bir-Hakeim — classic double-deck bridge; easy walk to Champ de Mars.
Pair this with our nearby bridge feature for more postcard perspectives:
Pont Alexandre III: History, Highlights, and How to Visit
When to ride Line 6
- Golden hour (late afternoon to sunset) makes stone and steel glow.
- Avoid peak commute to snag a window seat.
Photo tips
- Sit by the window, keep the lens close and at a slight angle to reduce reflections.
- Shoot short clips during the river crossing; long shaky videos rarely look better.
- Don’t stand in doorways — it’s unsafe and blocks others.
Bus 69: the street-level “greatest hits” ride
Why it’s loved: You see façades, bridges, café life and monuments at eye level, with the freedom to hop off on a whim.
Classic experience: From Gambetta/Père-Lachaise area through Bastille, by Hôtel de Ville/Marais vicinity, across to the Left Bank (Musée d’Orsay/Assemblée Nationale), past Les Invalides, and toward École Militaire / Champ de Mars.
Stops and detours can vary with works and events. Watch the onboard display and check the RATP app or stop maps the day you ride.
Key stops & 5–15 minute walks
- Bastille — history meets modern life. If you’re here mid-July, read:
Bastille Day: What It Is and Why It’s Celebrated - Hôtel de Ville / Marais vicinity — galleries, lanes, cafés.
- Musée d’Orsay / Assemblée Nationale — bridges, Left Bank streets, river views.
- Les Invalides — courtyards, museums, Napoleon’s tomb; full guide:
Les Invalides: History, Highlights, and How to Visit - École Militaire / Champ de Mars — roll right to the lawns by the Eiffel Tower.
Best seats
- Front row if available; otherwise a window on the right-hand side toward Champ de Mars often gives clean monument glimpses. Switch sides if glare becomes an issue.
When to ride Bus 69
- Mid-morning or early afternoon for a calmer pace and better light.
- Sundays feel relaxed; weekday traffic can slow the ride, so plan time for hop-offs.
Photo tips
- Angle the phone slightly and shade the lens to beat window reflections.
- Don’t overshoot from the bus. Often a five-minute hop-off yields better photos than struggling through glass.
Two easy €2.50 tours to copy now
1) The Eiffel Vista (40–60 minutes + short walks)
- Start at Charles-de-Gaulle–Étoile (Line 6) — sit right-hand side.
- Hop off at Trocadéro for the terrace view.
- Ride Trocadéro → Passy → Bir-Hakeim; hop off and stroll the bridge.
- Finish in Champ de Mars for a relaxed lawn break.
Optional add-on: Sunset at Pont Alexandre III (guide linked above).
2) East-to-Eiffel Street Story (90–120 minutes with stops)
- Board Bus 69 near Gambetta/Père-Lachaise for a quiet start.
- Hop off at Bastille for a quick square loop.
- Reboard toward the Left Bank; pause near Musée d’Orsay for riverside views.
- Continue past Les Invalides and end at École Militaire / Champ de Mars.
Museum day pairing: The Opéra Garnier is an excellent indoor follow-up (see:
Opéra Garnier: A Visitor’s Guide)
Seasonal note: In autumn these rides are especially pleasant — here’s why:
Paris in Autumn: Why Fall is a Great Time to Visit
Accessibility notes
- Line 6: Station lifts/escalators vary; if step-free access matters, plan station-by-station.
- Bus 69: Low-floor buses with ramps on most vehicles; drivers can kneel the bus to reduce the step.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Blocking doors for photos on Line 6.
- Riding only once in flat light. If the sky is dull, try again later.
- Underestimating distances. Paris is larger than it looks; combine short rides with targeted walks. See more in
Top 10 Mistakes in Paris – and How to Avoid Them.
Fun facts to share en route
- Line 6 is one of Paris’s few metro lines with extended elevated track, designed in the early 1900s to weave views between buildings on steel viaducts.
- The Bir-Hakeim bridge (with a metro deck above and road/pedestrian level below) appears in countless films and photo shoots thanks to its repeating steel arches.
- Bus 69 is a favorite for newcomers learning the city grid — you watch Right Bank and Left Bank perspectives unfold in real time.
- From Trocadéro, the straight axial view over the Seine to the Eiffel Tower and École Militaire reflects the city’s classic planning lines.
Plan it with Paris For You
The Paris For You app helps you find curated routes, quizzes, and offline maps — all in 26 languages — so you can discover Paris without stress. You’ll also find themed maps such as Paris Top Insta Spots, Paris For FREE, and Paris Top 15 Must-See Places.
Download on Android
Download on iPhone
Also read:
How to Get Around in Paris: A Complete Guide to Transportation
Paris Arrondissements Guide
Planning a Trip to Paris: What You Should Know
Pont Alexandre III: History, Highlights, and How to Visit
Les Invalides: History, Highlights, and How to Visit
Opéra Garnier: A Visitor’s Guide
Top 10 Mistakes in Paris – and How to Avoid Them
