Tour Saint-Jacques — Attraction in Paris

We went on one of the open days and discovered that there's a two hour lunch break where nobody is in the ticket office. We came back later and....still nobody there. The website would tell you you can buy a (12 months) ticket, but there was nobody on site to let you in despite us showing up during the posted open hours on the physical sign at the tower. The website is also poorly designed, tells you to check the open hours but doesn't list them...and then triggered my scam site antivirus warning on chrome mobile so....

Btw the website on the actual signs at the tower is NOT any of the websites that come up on the first page of Google results for this place, which is why we had no idea about the lunch break, Google's side bar "open hours" just say 10-6, but they're also gone from 12-2 for anyone who hasn't already been let in before noon.

So apparently the way it works is you buy a ticket in advance that you can use anytime (once) for 12 months ... And it says "depending on opening calendar" but there is no opening calendar on the site, just a calendar to pick a ticket date that has that disclaimer so...huh?!? Providing there's somebody there to let you in. And sometimes... nobody shows up during the open hours to do that so it's a total gamble. A terrible situation for any tourists that want to experience this. We were very disappointed.

So after getting home and opening the site on a PC and poking around I did find another page with a calendar to pick a specific date (instead of the open ended ticket) and I didn't find any open dates until May of 2024. Does that mean if I bought an open ended ticket I wouldn't be able to use it until May 2024? How did I find this page? By clicking the red button that looks like a person reading a book and goes to a page called "catalog".... But even this page can't be the open dates calendar they referred to...can it? If so does that mean the whole thing is CLOSED until May...or are all the tickets just sold out till May? In person it doesn't say anything about being closed until May but... nobody opened the ticket booth on an "open" day either to let folks who already bought tickets (and we never saw anyone inside either) so...who knows?!

Taking a peek at the site code it looks like a purely CSS site designed 20 years ago. Which explains why it doesn't work well on mobile, doesn't show up in Google search, and doesn't have the connection security chrome requests now. This is all a huge shame as it's such a cool historical landmark we were looking forward...

The Tour Saint-Jacques, located in the heart of Paris, is a striking Gothic tower that stands as a remnant of the once-magnificent Church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie, which was demolished during the French Revolution. This impressive structure, with its intricate details and soaring height, offers a glimpse into the city’s medieval history and architectural grandeur.

The tower is adorned with elaborate carvings, gargoyles, and statues, including a prominent figure of Blaise Pascal at its base. It is said that Pascal conducted barometric experiments here, adding a scientific layer to the tower’s historical significance. The photos capture the archways framing the statue, beautifully showcasing the Gothic craftsmanship that defines this monument.

Today, the Tour Saint-Jacques is surrounded by a peaceful garden, providing a serene setting for visitors to admire the tower and its details. While the garden offers a lovely space to relax, the tower itself is not accessible year-round, and its appeal may be limited to history and architecture enthusiasts.

As a standalone attraction, the Tour Saint-Jacques is more of a quick stop than a destination. Its historical significance and intricate design make it worth a visit if you’re already in the area, especially considering its proximity to other major landmarks like Hôtel de Ville and the Seine. However, don’t expect an immersive experience or much beyond its...

Tour Saint-Jacques is one of those hidden gems in the heart of Paris that many people walk past without realizing how cool it actually is. It’s all that remains of a 16th-century church, and it really stands out. This tall, gothic-style structure in the middle of a small park.

The tower is tied to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, and it’s rich in history, with statues, carvings, and interesting details that are easier to notice up close. There are guided tours during certain months of the year (usually in summer, should be May 15 through November 15, 2025, ticket for adult around €12), and visitors who take the tour can climb to the top. It’s a bit of a workout, over 300 steps, but the view is amazing. You get a panoramic look at Paris from a quieter, less touristy spot.

The park around the base is also a nice bonus. It’s small but calm, with trees and benches, a good place to rest or have a snack. Even if you don’t go up, the tower is worth seeing from ground level.

Overall, Tour Saint-Jacques is a cool mix of history, architecture, and city views. It’s not as famous as the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame, but for people who enjoy hidden gems and historical landmarks, it’s definitely...