The Saint-Jacques Tower is a tower in a public garden in Paris. It is very central in the city, at about 200 metres west of the Town Hall and 100 metres north of the Seine and the Ile-de-la-Cité, on the Rue de Rivoli in the 4th arrondissement of Paris.
Note for English speakers, Saint-Jacques is the French name for Saint James.
Discover the Tower Saint-Jacques
France This Way review: the Tower Saint-Jacques was one of the most surprising places we visited in Paris. It is largely overlooked by tourists compared to other sights in the city, but actually has some of the very best views in Paris, and a visit is definitely recommended.
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In the 12th century a church was built in this location, called the Church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie, and possibly on the site of an older church. It was an important church for the region of Paris known as the Grande Boucherie.
In the early 16th century (from 1509-1523) a belltower was added to the church, in the flamboyant gothic style and featuring gargoyles and flying buttresses, typical of the style. This is the tower that we can visit today.
Following the Revolution in 1789, the church was sold, to be dismantled and used as a source of rock for nearby building projects. This is why today only the tower remains and there is no trace at all of the rest of the church.
All religious function being lost, the church was later used as a factory for the production of lead shot (the height of the tower enabled the liquid drops to solidify into lead shot before they reached the ground), and for scientific experiments, among other things.
The future of the Saint-Jacques Tower was assured in the second part of the 19th century, when it was listed as a historic monument, and the park was added at the base of the tower to protect it and to ensure it was seen at its best.
Following substantial renovations in the middle of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the tower was again entirely restored in the early years of the 21st century.
As a result it is difficult for a visitor to be sure which stones and carvings are original, which have been completely restored, and which have been completely replaced, but this probably is not very important for most visitors. Many of the most impressive statues and carvings date to the 19th century renovation.
Visit the Tour Saint-Jacques
It is useful for visitors to be aware that there are about 300 steps to climb to reach the top of the tower, although you pause twice in rooms along the way.
There are big signs at the ticket office warning you how perilous the climb is, and that you should not attempt it unless you are in fit condition, with no heart problems or mobility restrictions, and that you do not mind being on a narrow rickety staircase in a narrow space or suffer from vertigo.
We didn't find it as hard as we expected, but all the same it is a lot of steps and you should wear comfortable shoes.
It is obligatory to take a guided visit, there is no access to explore by yourself. Presumably this is to stop visitors who are descending from crossing paths with those who are still clmbing the tower. Children must be at least 10 years old to be allowed entrance.
The tour allowed plenty of time at the top of the tower for you to see the views, which is the main reason you are here...
...and the guide did provide a lot of useful information about the tower, its history and uses over the centuries, and explained which parts of the tower were added or modified during the 19th century, so it was quite interesting.
During the visit you pass through the two rooms in the tower that were used as a factory in the early 19th century. These are of limited interest but do contain a couple of fragments of statues and give you a break in the ascent of the tower!
I should repeat, although the Saint-Jacques Tower doesn't appear very high when compared with some buildings in the city, it is high enough to have remarkable views in all directions, across to Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower, the Ile-de-la-Cité and much more, and very centrally placed to enjoy these views.
I am sure you won't believe me when you see the modest height of the tower, which is why I keep repeating it! The publicity for the tower claims that it has the best views of central Paris, and I think they are probably right.
If a member of your group is not able to climb the tower, or you visit outside the season that it is open - the tower is only open from mid-May to mid-November each year - you can still admire the tower and enjoy a picnic in the park at the bottom, although you will be missing the extraordinary views from the top!
The tower is also the point of depart for one of the main pilgrimage paths that start in France and lead to Santiago di Compostela in the north-west of Spain. This importance is based on a historic claim that an early version of the church in this location was founded by Charlemagne, and that the church held a relic of Saint-Jacques (Saint James in English).
Attractions nearby
There are many famous sights of Paris within a few hundred metres of the tower, so I won't try to list them all here. For something completely different, take a stroll to see the Stravinsky Fountain, next to the Pompidou Centre and very close to here, with lots of modern sculptures in the fountain
See more churches in France. You can find more travel ideas in the Paris region guide.
To make travel arrangements to visit Saint-Jacques Tower see HERE
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Photos of Saint-Jacques Tower
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See complete Saint-Jacques Tower Photo Gallery
Map of Saint-Jacques Tower and places nearby
Places to visit near Saint-Jacques Tower
Stravinsky Fountain
The Stravinsky fountain is a modernist fountain of animated and brightly coloured characters and jets of water
Stravinsky Fountain guide
59 Rivoli
59 Rivoli is an art gallery housing 30 art studies that can be visited along with an exhibition space.
59 Rivoli guide
River Seine
The Seine river is at the heart of the city, near many of the famous monuments, and a boat ride on the Seine is a popular attraction
River Seine guide
Conciergerie
La Conciergerie at Paris is one of the oldest and most important gothic palaces in France
Conciergerie guide
Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle, on the Ile de la Cité in Paris, is an important gothic chapel with remarkable stained glass windows
Sainte-Chapelle guide
Notre Dame cathedral
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, on an island in the Seine River, is one of the most remarkable gothic cathedrals in the world
Notre Dame cathedral guide