You can’t visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. It is an absolute must-see for first-time visitors and return. Built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 for the World’s Fair (Exposition universelle) to mark the 100th anniversary of the French revolution, the Eiffel Tower is still today France’s most iconic landmark (in fact, it is certainly the most recognizable structure in the world). The Eiffel Tower is the quintessential experience one should have when visiting Paris.
Here’s a practical guide to make the most of your visit to the Iron Lady.
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How much it costs (as of Summer 2020)?
Ticket prices to the Eiffel Tower vary according which floors you want to visit and how you want to visit them (stairs or elevators). It also depends on your situation.
To visit the esplanade, it is free.
Elevator to the second-floor costs 16.60€. Elevator to the top floor costs 25.90€.
Stairs up to the second-floor cost 10.40€ and stairs to the second floor plus elevator to the top floor cost 19.70€.
There are reduced rates for youth, children and people with reduced mobility. The Eiffel Tower is free for children under 4 years old.
How to get to the Eiffel Tower?
Using the public transportation is by far the easiest (and cheapest) way to reach the Eiffel Tower.
You can access the Eiffel Tower by metro: Trocadero station (Metro Line 9), Bir-Hakeim station (Metro Line 6) and Station Militaire station (Metro Line 8) or by RER: RER C (Champs de mars – Tour Eiffel stop).
You can also access the Eiffel Tower by velib (self-service bicycle hire service) or by river boat (Batobus tours).
If you booked your tickets in advance, head to the green entrance. If you didn’t book a ticket (which we do not advise), join the queue to the yellow entrance.
The Eiffel Tower is open every day from 9:30am to 11:45pm (in summer from 9am to 0:45am). The last ascent to the summit is at 11:30pm.
What to see? What to do?
Esplanade: A unique point of view – From below
The esplanade offers a unique view of the tower from below. The access is free but you’ll still have to pass through the security.
Note: There is a secret military underground bunker under the Eiffel tower and it is now possible to book an Eiffel Tower tour that includes a visit to this bunker and the underground area.
First floor
The first floor is 57m above the ground. You can access it either by elevator or by the stairs. There, you’ll enjoy your first 360-degree view on Paris. On the first floor, you’ll find an impressive glass floor that allows you to look down, the CinEiffel (a cinema with immersion shows), a passageway with screens to learn more about the Iron Lady, a restaurant: ‘the 58 Tour Eiffel’, shops and buffets.
Second floor
The second floor is located 115m above the ground. You can access it either by elevator or by the stairs. This is where you’ll have the best views on Paris and its iconic monuments. There, you’ll find the famous observation desk but also, a gastronomic restaurant ‘Le Jules Verne’ and a macaroon bar.
Top floor
The top floor is located 276m above the ground. You can only access it by elevator. It is the highest observation deck in Europe. There, you’ll find a champagne bar and Gustave Eiffel’s office.
The Illuminations: Eiffel Tower Light Show
Every evening, the Eiffel Tower lights up and sparkles during the first 5 minutes of every hour until 1 to 2 am depending on the season. No doubt this is the best moment to see the Eiffel Tower. This is a magical moment that shouldn’t be missed!
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How to visit the Eiffel Tower – Best Tips
1• Book online tickets in advance
The best way to avoid the endless queues is to book your tickets online on the official Eiffel tower website. Although you’ll have to pass through security, buying tickets online allows you to skip the cash registers.
2• Beware of scammers and pickpockets
Unfortunately, many pickpockets are roaming around the Eiffel Tower. Some of them will ask if you speak English (they mostly target foreigners) and will ask you to sign a petition, meanwhile others will come over and distract you whilst one other dips into your purse. Watch your belongings and keep them in sight at all times.
3• Save time and take the stairs down
The elevator lines can be very (very, very) long. We do think about the elevator line on the way up but rarely on the way down. If you wish to save time, consider taking the stairs down instead. Note that there are no stairs from the top to the 2nd floor and you will have to take the elevator to reach the 2nd floor from the top.
4• Buy a ‘Paris PassLib’
The Paris PassLib (available for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days) is really the best cost-effective option if you wish to visit other museums and monuments in Paris. Plus, with this Pass, you’ll get unlimited public transportation (zones 1 to 3), access to sightseeing buses and a river cruise. A small supplement gives you access to the 1st and 2nd floors of the Eiffel Tower.
5• Make a restaurant reservation
Another way to skip the lines is to make a reservation at the restaurant Le Jules Verne (located on the 2nd floor) or the restaurant 58 Tour Eiffel (located on the 1st floor – currently closed for renovation). You can access the restaurant by private elevator from the Eiffel Tower south pillar entrance.
6• Visit at night during the weekdays
The lines are considerably short around 9pm. Not only this is the best time to avoid the queues, it is also the best time for enjoying the tower without the crowds. By all means, avoid the weekends.
Where to find the best views of the Eiffel Tower?
The Trocadéro, in our opinion, is where you’ll get the most spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower. Technically located in the 16th arrondissement, the Place du Trocadéro is only few minutes’ walk from the Eiffel Tower. This is where you’ll get the perfect photo of the Eiffel Tower. It can be crowded pretty fast. We advise visiting early in the morning or in the evening when the tower is shining and sparkling.
The Champs de mars is another perfect spot to see the Eiffel Tower. It is extremely convenient as you can enjoy a picnic with a view (the best picnic view ever!) on the Eiffel Tower.
Other spots where you can enjoy an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower are: the top of the Arc de Triomphe, the top of the Tour Montparnasse, the Seine river cruise, the bridge Bir Hakeim, and from any rooftops in general!
Where to eat and / or drink?
Eiffel Tower’s Restaurants
58 Tour Eiffel
Located on the 1st floor of the Eiffel Tower, the 58 Tour Eiffel is a brasserie run by chef Thierry Marx. We strongly advise to book in advance whether it is for lunch or dinner. The restaurant is currently under renovation until 2021.
Le Jules Verne
Located on the 2nd floor and run by triple Michelin starred chef Frederic Anton, the gastronomic restaurant ‘Le Jules Verne’ won’t disappoint. Booking in advance is strongly recommended.
Le Bar à Champagne
Located on the top floor of the Eiffel Tower, the Champagne Bar offers you the opportunity to enjoy the views of Paris with a glass of champagne in hand. What else asking for?
Other snack buffets
There are many snack shops and buffets inside the Tower. There is also a macaroon bar on the 2nd floor.
The Restaurants with the best views on the Eiffel Tower
I am not going to do a long list here. There are 2 rooftops that really outdo the others. Don’t give me wrong, some other rooftops also offer amazing view on the Eiffel Tower but these two are the cream of the crop.
L’Oiseau blanc
Besides its amazing menu and excellent food, the Michelin starred restaurant offers a breathtaking view on the Eiffel Tower.
Le Perchoir
Probably the most famous rooftop in Paris. Located in the Marais neighborhood, you’ll have a wonderful panoramic view on Paris and its most iconic monuments, including the Eiffel Tower.
Did you know?
1• The Eiffel Tower is the most visited paid monument in the world. 7 million people visit the tower every year and among them, 75% are foreigners.
2• The total height of the tower is 324m including the antennas (the initial height was 312m).
3• For 40 years, the Eiffel Tower was the highest tower in the world. But in 1930, the Chrysler building in New York surpassed the Eiffel Tower (319m). Even if the Eiffel tower isn’t the highest in the world anymore, she surely stays the most unique.
4• The tower is used for radio and television’s transmissions.
5• There are 674 steps to the second floor and 1665 steps from the bottom to the top of the tower. The elevator is mandatory to reach the top floor but you can use the stairs to reach the second floor.
6• Initially, the Eiffel Tower was supposed to stay for only 20 years and then, she should have been destroyed. However, in 1890, a concession of 20 years was signed between Gustave Eiffel and the city of Paris for the exploitation of the tower. Gustave Eiffel did his best to avoid the destruction of the tower and proved his utility in many fields: meteorology, science, radio transmissions (for strategy and military interests), etc… In December 1909, at the end of concession, the Eiffel tower became the property of Paris city and the city eventually decided to keep the tower and not destroy it after all. Probably one of the best decisions ever taken.
7• The Eiffel Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991.
8• Many replicas of the Eiffel Tower exist all around the world: in Las Vegas, Tokyo, Shenzhen, …
9• Every 7 years, the tower needs to be repainted.
10• The Eiffel Tower was built in 2 years, 2 months and 5 days (from 1887 to 1889) with the help of more than 200 workers.
11• During the 1889 World’s Fair (6 May 1889 – 31 October 1889), 2 million people visited the Eiffel Tower.
12• The Eiffel Tower was largely criticized at its inauguration. A petition was signed to order its destruction. Parisians hated it and called the tower ‘asparagus’ or ‘iron skeleton’.
13• In winter, the Eiffel tower shrinks (about 10 to 15 cm smaller).
Have you been to the Eiffel Tower? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.
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It was in December 2018 that I first visited the iron lady and she was stunning even though it was winter. 😉😉
She is always stunning, isn’t she? 😉