No building better symbolises Paris than the Tour Eiffel. Maupassant claimed he left Paris because of it, William Morris visited regularly to avoid having to see it from afar – and it was originally meant to be a temporary structure. The radical cast-iron tower was built for the 1889 World Fair and the centenary of the 1789 Revolution by engineer Gustave Eiffel.
Eiffel made use of new technology that was already popular in iron-framed buildings. Construction took more than two years and used some 18,000 pieces of metal and 2,500,000 rivets. The 300-metre (984-foot) tower it was the tallest structure in the world until overtaken by New York’s Chrysler Building in 1930.
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Various lifts ply their way up and down, including two double-cabin electric lifts between the second and third floor; from the bottom, you can walk as far as the second level, a total of 674 steps. There are souvenir shops, two restaurants and several cafés. The smart Jules Verne restaurant, on the second floor, has its own lift in the south tower pillar entrance.
At the top (third level), there’s a champagne bar if you fancy treating yourself. Or just enjoy the spectacular views from 276 metres. Every evening, for five minutes on the hour, 20,000 flashbulbs attached to the tower provide a beautiful effect.
How much are tickets?
Eiffel Tower tickets vary in price depending on how far up you want to go and how you want to get there. At time of writing, standard adult-rate tickets on the official Eiffel Tower website are priced as follows:
Tickets with access to the second floor by stairs: €14.50
Tickets with access to the second floor by lift: €23.10
Tickets with access to the second floor by stairs followed by a lift to the top: €27.50
Tickets with access all the way to the top by lift: €36.10
If you fancy visiting with a guide and learning more about this iconic monument, click the ‘Book online’ button above for options on visiting as part of a tour.
How long are the queues for the Eiffel Tower?
Depending on who you ask, queues can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. The official Eiffel Tower website advises visiting between 9am-11am or 8pm-10.30pm for shorter entry times. Opening times are 9am-midnight in the summer, and 9.30am-11pm the rest of the year.
Should I bother climbing to the top?
In Paris, getting some height is highly recommended. And the most beautiful view of the capital is conveniently perched on its most iconic monument. From the top of the Eiffel Tower, you’ll have a 360-degree view of the city, with a clear horizon more than 65km away on a clear day – and yes, it’s just about as magical as it sounds. To get there, you can take one of the elevators, or take the opportunity to work those glutes by taking the (1,665) stairs.
Oh, and on the second floor you’ll find a terrific Michelin-starred restaurant, where chef Frédéric Anton has taken over the reins of the famous Jules Verne restaurant (following Joël Robuchon). The menu’s as exceptional as the setting, but it comes with a price. For a slightly more budget-friendly experience, head to the first-floor terrace all summer long for a small pizza, ice cream and wine with excellent views.
How to get to there
You can reach the Eiffel Tower via Line 8, from Ecole Militaire or La Motte-Picquet – Grenelle stations (also accessible via Lines 6 and 10), and via RER C (Champ-de-Mars – Tour Eiffel). If you’re coming by car, the Pullman Tour Eiffel covered parking lot will be the closest option, costing around €40 for 24 hours. For a slightly more budget-friendly alternative, consider the Tour Eiffel Quai Branly parking, just a seven-minute walk away (around €30 for 24 hours).
Once you’re at the tower, it’s around a six-minute walk to where the Eiffel Tower Stadium will be located and a 13-minute walk to Arena Champ-de-Mars/Grand Palais Éphémère (at the south of Champ-de-Mars), or you can catch bus 82 to shave a few minutes off.
Where can I get the best selfie with the Eiffel Tower?
We’re glad you asked. Pictures from the Eiffel Tower itself are great, but they’re even better with it standing tall in the background. Here are our top picks...
1. The Trocadéro forecourt: this is the most popular spot for a pic with an Eiffel Tower backdrop. Therefore you’ll rarely be alone there – except very (very) early in the morning. A few steps away, a more confidential spot will offer you a more privileged moment with Madame Eiffel: it takes place at the top of rue de la Manutention, avenue du Président-Wilson, right next to the Palais de Tokyo.
2. The Bir-Hakeim Bridge: a listed historical monument, the Bir-Hakeim Bridge is one of the most photogenic (and cinematic) places in Paris. It’s also a perfect place to admire the Eiffel Tower, which peaks out from the other side of the river.
3. The small streets around the Champ-de-Mars: to see the Eiffel Tower in its true Parisian glory, we’d recommend immersing yourself in the surrounding streets. From rue Saint-Dominique, the viewpoint of the intersection with boulevard de la Tour-Maubourg is particularly lively, and makes for the perfect starting point for a stroll in the neighbourhood. If you want a slice of quiet, the small streets of Monttessuy and Général-Camou are also ideal for a one-on-one with the Iron Lady.
4. Rooftops with a view: sometimes the best view is a rooftop. And if you pick one of our top rooftop bars in the city, you can enjoy it with a drink too. What could be better? Our absolute favourite is Ombres bar, on the roof terrace of the Quai Branly museum, with exceptional views, great food and even better cocktails.
What shall I do nearby?
Around the Eiffel Tower, between the 7th and 16th arrondissements, the city is full of art. From the Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo to the Quai Branly Museum or the Rodin Museum (don’t forget to stroll through their beautiful gardens), the area covers a wide cultural spectrum. From the Pont des Invalides to the Champ-de-Mars, you’ll feel like you’re strolling through picture-postcard Paris... And because you’ll need more than a day to explore it all, staying in a nearby hotel isn’t a bad idea. If the Eiffel Tower has got you in the mood for famous sights, take a look at our pick of unmissable Paris attractions.
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