Things to do in Paris

Plan the perfect Eiffel Tower visit | Everything you need to know

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Lovingly called the most romantic city in the world, Paris is unlike any other city. Sporting mindblowing Nouveau architecture and magnificent cobbled streets, the French capital is a treasure trove of multifarious experiences. The City of Lights is home to quite a few iconic monuments and landmarks — the revered Notre Dame Cathedral, the spectacular Louvre Museum, the palatial Sacré-Cœur and the most emblematic of them all, the stupendous Eiffel Tower.

The iconic steel structure is the first thing to come to your mind when you think of Paris. Built originally to last only 20 years, the tower has been a symbol of French technological prowess, engineering and architecture for over a century now. Inspiring millions of the city’s residents every night with its glimmering beacon, the Eiffel Tower is a majestic emblem of hope and wonder that one must visit in their lifetime. Here is an exhaustive guide to help you learn all about this world wonder and plan the perfect visit.

Your Eiffel Tower Essential Information


Eiffel Tower Paris
Eiffel Tower Paris
Eiffel Tower Paris

Things to know

Best time to visit - Early morning or evenings
Suggested duration - 2 Hours
Starting Eiffel Tower tickets price - €34
Stairs - 1665 to the top
Closest Bus station - Bir-Hakeim and Champ-de-Mars station

Opening Hours

Mid-June to early September
9 AM - 12:45 AM
Last elevator ride to the top leaves at 11 PM

Highlights

Height - 324 m to tip
Floors - 3
Staircase Access Point - South Pillar (Pilier SUD)
Lift Access Point - East Pillar (Pilier Est)
Viewing Deck - Second Floor

Address

Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France,
75007 Paris, France
Get Directions

A Brief History of Eiffel Tower


Eiffel Tower History

The history of Eiffel Tower begins in 1889 when a world fair exhibition was organised to mark the centenary of the French revolution, and the Eiffel Tower was proposed to be the centrepiece of this exhibition in Paris. Gustave Eiffel, the chief engineer, took inspiration from the Latting Observatory in New York City and promised the city a structure so glorious that it would reach the sky. The estimated budget to build the Tower was 6.5 million francs but the state only grated 1.5 million francs for the construction. Building with a minimised budget was a challenge and Gustave had to put the extra capital from his pocket. He bought the rights to the design, but the task for brainstorming the look and feel of the structure was left to Stephen Sauvestre, Maurice Koechlin, and Émile Nouguier.

The budget-crunch hurdle was just the beginning. Artist protests were held by people who thought it was not feasible and who believed it was impossible. For context, the Eiffel Tower was a proposed 300m tall structure, in an era where no structure had even reached the height of 200m!. Nevertheless, the construction was completed in 1889 and had transformed Paris forever. Today, it is impossible to picture Paris without the Eiffel towering from every angle.

Eiffel Tower Entrances


The Tower's Esplanade has two main entrances on the ground floor; the South and East entrances. These are the first set of entrances and every visitor is required to go through stringent security checks before entering the complex. With over 20,000 visitors flocking to the iron marvel every day, the entrances could get crowded fast. To avoid the hour-long queues that are fairly common, it is advised that you get an entry ticket to the East entrance. The East entrance is generally less crowded and will give you ample time to explore the Champ de Mars gardens.

Learn more about Eiffel Tower entrances in detail here!

Stairs Vs Lift - Which One Should You Choose?


Climbing the Eiffel Tower Stairs

Eiffel Tower Tour

Being the most popular paid-for monument in the world, the monument attracts a large number of tourists throughout the year. Therefore, procuring elevator tickets to climb the 300-meter tall iron-wrought tower is not an easy task, with queues stretching over 2 hours at times. The best way to skip the line and make it to the first floor of the Eiffel Tower is to use the stairs.

The tickets are available seven days in advance and are considerably cheaper than the lift tickets. The waiting time is hardly 30 minutes as most visitors prefer the elevator over the stairs. You can scale the Tower in almost 20-30 minutes, depending on how long you stop at each level. The stairs are open from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM for the entire year save for 27, 28, 29 December when the Tower is open until 12:45 am. Climbing the stairs is the cheapest way to ascend the monument, with Eiffel Tower stair tickets priced below €4 (depends on your package).

Bolting up the Eiffel Tower Lifts

Eiffel Tower Tour

The most popular way of scaling the colossal Tower are the elevators on three of its pillars. North, East and West pillars feature elevators that will take you to the first and second floors from the ground floor. However, due to its extremely high demand, the waiting line for the elevators tends to get really long.

The waiting times usually range between 1-2 hours after you make it through the ticket queue. You can skip the line to the Lift by purchasing Skip The Line Eiffel Tower access tickets and get fast-track access to the first and second floors. Note: Access to the summit is not included with the basic tickets and has to be purchased separately. Elevator access to the first and second floors will cost you between €4 and €16; elevator access to all the floors, including the summit will cost you around €27. However, the elevator access to the summit from the second floor will cost you only €20.

Eiffel Tower Levels


Eiffel Tower First Floor
How do I get to the first floor?

The first floor of the Tower is 57m (182ft) above the ground. You can make your way up to the first floor by either taking one of the elevators, or the stairs - there are 328 steps to the first floor. You can buy the tickets from the ground floor counters or book them online in advance.

What are the main attractions?

The first floor of the Tower is situated 57 meters above the ground and offers two main attractions; a walkable glass floor and a ‘dome’ restaurant, and a film experience 'Cineiffel'.

What are the dining options?

If you are feeling a bit tired after climbing 328 steps to the first floor, La Bulle Eiffel has you covered. The restaurant, shaped like a dome is open for lunch and dinner and offers “chic, picnic-style” lunches as well as traditional, three-course French meals. Apart from the restaurant, there are some buffets open too.

What's Cineiffel?

At the Ferrié pavilion, you'll get to witness the Cineiffel - an immersive show projected on 3 walls by 7 projectors. Along the passageways, you’ll find screens, touch screens, showcases, digital albums, reprographics of objects and more information about the Tower.

How do you get to the second floor?

The second floor is 115 meters (377 feet) above the ground. You can reach the second floor via an elevator or the stairs - there are 674 steps to the second floor. You can buy the tickets from the ground floor counters or book them online in advance.

What are the main attractions?

The second floor hosts an observation deck that offers an excellent vantage point to observe the major landmarks of Paris from a distance. It also home to the Michelin-star Le Jules Verne restaurant. The restaurant offers a luxury dining experience and features traditional French cuisine with some subtle restyling.

Do you have to pay for accessing the observation deck?

Access to the observation deck is included with you second floor access ticket. You can catch a glimpse of some of the Parisian landmarks, including the Seine River, Montmartre, the Louvre, the Grand Palace, Notre Dame, and Champs Elysees, using the long-range telescopes at the observation deck.

Are there cheap dining options on the second floor?

For those looking for a lighter bite, check out the snack bar or indulge in some delicious treats from the macaroon bar.

How do you get to the Eiffel Tower summit?

Situated at a jaw-dropping height of 276 meters above the ground, the summit is highest accessible point of the Tower. The summit can only be accessed via glass-walled elevators from the second floor. Summit access is optional and has to be bought separately, however, some packages come with the option to include the summit.

What are the main attractions?

Apart from offering an eagle's view of Paris, the summit houses the office of the man behind the Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel. The recently renovated office features a collection of alternative designs for the tower, along with city maps, construction plans, and realistic wax characters.

Can I climb the stairs from the second floor to the summit?

Though there is a staircase to access the summit from the second floor, it is currently closed to the public. You can only make your way to the summit from the second floor via an elevator. You will also have to buy a separate ticket to access the summit.

How much do Eiffel Tower summit access tickets cost?

Eiffel Tower summit access tickets are priced between €19 and €26. Alternatevely, you ccan also buy Eiffel Tower tours with summit access.

Know Before Choosing Your Eiffel Tower Tickets


Before picking the right Eiffel ticket, here are a couple of things you need to know.

Stairs or Elevators

You can get to the 1st and 2nd levels of the Tower using either by using the elevator or the stairs. The summit is accessible from the 2nd level via a separate elevator.

While the elevators are a quicker way to ascend the tower, the stairs are often less crowded and have less waiting time involved when it comes to accessing the tower.

To Summit or Not

Most of the tickets to the Tower give you access to the 1st and 2nd levels. To get to the summit, you need to purchase separate summit tickets. Summit access tickets are required if you wish to board the summit elevator on the 2nd level and catch breathtaking views of the city.

Guide, Host or Solo

Depending on how you'd like the experience, you can choose either standard entry tickets or a guided tour. With entry tickets, you only get to enter and make your way up by yourself. With hosted experiences, you'll be accompanied by a host who will lead you past the lines, help you get to the 2nd level and leave you to explore the Tower at your own pace.

All Your Eiffel Tower Ticket Options Listed


While the Tower is a seemingly no-fuss attraction to visit, you have several tickets and tours to choose from. Picking the right one is hard, but we have you covered.

In the sections that follow, we will take a closer look at all the different ticket options and even compare them so that you can easily differentiate between them to make a choice

1. No more never-ending queues - Skip The Line Eiffel Tower Tickets

Crowned as the most visited paid-for monument in the world, the Eiffel Tower is not just famous for its humbling dominance, but also for its never-ending waiting times. The ticket queues on the ground and the second floor (to the summit) are usually quite large owing to the huge influx of tourists. This could setback your trip by over 2 hours. Some Eiffel Tower Tours come with one important feature to beat the crowd - Skip The Line Eiffel Tower Tickets and direct access to the first/second level (depending on your package) and the Summit (optional). With Skip The Line tickets, you will not have to wait in long ticket queues to access either the stairs or the lifts.

2. Climbing the Eiffel Tower - Eiffel Tower Stair Tickets

With over 1,700 stairs spread across three levels, climbing the Tower on foot is an experience of a lifetime. Designed for daredevils willing to embark on this journey, the Eiffel Tower stairs offer some of of the best views of the City of Lights. Also, the waiting time for using the stairs is significantly lesser than that of the elevators, you’ll be able to spend more time at the iron marvel. You will have to climb 328 steps to the first floor and 674 steps to the second floor. Once on the second floor, you can access the summit only by lift (the stairs are closed to the public) after procuring a ticket from the second-floor ticket counter.

Staircase tickets are available online seven days in advance and are cheaper than lift tickets. The waiting time is hardly 30 minutes as most visitors prefer the elevator over the stairs. Some Eiffel Tower tickets come with access to the first and second floor via the stairs. With these tour packages, you'll not have to waste time at the ticket counter and start your experience right away.

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3. Where all the magic is - Eiffel Tower Second Floor Access

The second floor is arguably the best of all three floors. and offers quite a few attractions. Apart from featuring the Michelin-star Le Jules Verne restaurant, the second floor also has an observation deck and souvenir shops. With the telescopes on offer at the observation deck, you’ll be able to admire Parisian attractions such as the Seine River, Montmartre, the Louvre, the Grand Palace, Notre Dame, and Champs Elysees.

Eiffel Tower Second Floor tickets are usually included with almost all packages unless you’ve opted for a lunch or dinner package on the first floor. With skip the line tickets to the second floor, you'll be able to get fast-track access to the lifts/stairs by skipping the long ticket queues.

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4. Enjoy a dazzling Seine River Cruise after exploring the Eiffel Tower

Seine River cruise is the perfect way to end your experience as you can board any of the Seine cruises from the starting point right next to the monument. The Seine cruise tickets are valid for the entire day and can be redeemed as per your convenience, before or after visiting the Tower. A boat departs every 30 minutes between 10:00 AM and 10:30 PM (except at 1:00 PM) throughout the summer season. Basic Seine River cruises are relatively cheap at €10 per person, while a gourmet dinner cruise will cost you over €200.

Skip The Line packages often come with an optional River Seine Cruise. The Seine River Sightseeing Cruise will take you through Paris's most famous landmarks, including the Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, Conciergerie, Institut de France, Grand Palais, Musée d’Orsay, Hôtel de Ville, Cite de la Mode, Invalides, the Assemblee Nationale, and the Place de la Concorde.

Why an Eiffel Tower Tour is a great idea


Eiffel Tower Tour

Eiffel Tower is a quintessential Paris experience that no one wants to miss. With tons of tourists flocking to the Iron Lady every day, getting the Lift tickets and Summit access is not an easy task. Charting your travel options and tickets could take you months and you might still not have a hassle-free experience.

Eiffel Tower Guided Tours is your go-to option for a relaxed and carefully curated experience of the towering monument. Here’s why you should consider a guided tour of the Tower.

1. Multilingual guides at every stage

When you choose any Guided Tour, you’ll have a professional guide leading you at every step of the way. The local experts know the layout of the Tower in and out and will guide you through the shortest routes to save you time. They’ll also get your tickets ready so that you can jump into the adventure head-on.

2. Fast-track Access - Skip The Line at the Eiffel Tower

Guided Tours are packed with two important features to beat the crowd - tickets and direct access to every level and the summit. With Skip The Line tickets, you will not have to wait in long ticket queues to use the Tower Stairs or Lifts. All the planning for your trip to the Tower will be taken care of by the operators.

3. Tour Timings - Visiting the Eiffel Tower at Night and Day

One of the unique features of the Eiffel Tower is that it is equally stunning during the day and at night. If you’re looking to see the French capital and all of its attractions from the highest vantage point in the city, a daytime trip is your go-to option. However, if you’re looking to see the awe-inspiring 70,000 bulbs illuminating the 300-meter tall iron tower, go for one of the evening tours. The Guided Tours have flexible timings - at 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, and 5:00 pm.

4. Small Group Tours promise an exclusive experience of the Eiffel Tower

Smaller Tour Groups offer a limited size group. With a maximum of 20 people in a group, you are guaranteed an exclusive climbing experience with the guide taking each of the group members through the history of the the Tower.

Dining at the Eiffel Tower - La bulle Parisienne, Le Jules Verne and 58 Tour Eiffel


Ensconced in the Tower’s spectacular metal structure are two pockets of culinary heavens - one each on the first floor and the second floor. The Eiffel Tower restaurants feature everything from quick bites and snacks to full-course meals for every occasion. In the first floor a French-style bistro called the La bulle Parisienne is the new catch, which is now a popular stop for many due to its ‘dome’ architecture.

The second floor features the luxurious Michelin-star Le Jules Verne restaurant and offers a more upscale and exclusive gourmet experience. Apart from these, each floor also has a small buffet, and the summit features an exclusive Champagne Bar as well.

Eiffel Tower Ticket
La bulle Parisienne

The first floor of the Eiffel Tower is home to the chic La bulle Parisienne, a French-style bistro offering a wine bar and full-course meals.
Menu: La bulle Parisienne’s menu includes a platter of assorted culinary marvels, made from the products from the Ile-de-France region and France. The meals usually include an assortment of Charcuterie, a delicious soup, Truffade (potatoes with Cantal cheese) and a fruit tart or pastry (Tropézienne or Paris-Brest) and a glass of wine.
Dine inside the warmth of a dome: Dining inside the dome or "bubble" is a refreshing experience. Decorated with a lush hanging garden and gorgeous lanterns, the dome offers the opportunity to dine with a magnificent view of the Paris skyline.
Prices: Meals are relatively expensive and starts at €45. You can choose from a wide selection of dining ticket options, including first-floor access - dinner/lunch combos at the La bulle Parisienne.

Eiffel Tower Ticket
Le Jules Verne

The Second Floor is home to the Michelin-star Le Jules Verne restaurant. Culinary endeavors at the restaurant are spearheaded by Frédéric Anton, a three-star chef, and a “Meilleur Ouvrier de France”.
Menu: Le Jules Verne offers traditional French cuisine with some subtle restyling and 6-7 course meals are available for lunch and dinner. Delicacies served for dinner and lunch include Foie Gras, Langoustine, Cod, and Venison, apart from a dessert complete with a Chocolate souffle.
New-age architecture: A part of the restaurant is being renovated by architect Aline Asmar d'Amman, founder of the Culture in Architecture studio, who aims to infuse Jules Verne with the timeless elegance of French decorative art.
Price: A 5-course meal starts at €190 per person, while a 6-course meal starts at €230 per person. There is also a 3-course lunch menu, available on weekdays, which starts at €105 per person.

Dinner at the Eiffel Tower


Eiffel Tower dinner

A dinner unlike another, 58 Tour Eiffel whisks you away on a romantic escapade with your loved one. With a set table looking out at the sprawling view of the City of Light, the warm ambience and elegant furnishings add up to a complete meal fit for a king. Relish authentic French cuisine especially curated for a regal experience by the head chef, along with a selection of piquant wines offered by the cellar master. A three-course meal in 58 Tour Eiffel includes a portion of starters, the main course and a portion of cheese or dessert to complete the experience. Give your loved one a night to remember with a gourmet meal and a bedazzling view of the illuminated city.

Please note that 58 Tour Eiffel is currently closed due to renovation.

Eiffel Tower at Night


Eiffel Tower Tour

Experience the City of Lights in its True Glory

Catching a glimpse of Paris from the Eiffel Tower at night is an exhilarating experience With over 70,000 bulbs illuminating the 300-meter tall iron tower, the French capital does justice to its nickname - The City of Lights. Visible from almost every part of Paris, the Iron Lady puts on a spectacular light show at night.

The view from the Eiffel Tower Summit at night is unparalleled and as an added advantage, you will also be able to spot famous Parisian landmarks such as the Sacré Coeur (Montmartre), Notre-Dame de Paris, La Fondation Louis Vuitton, Trocadéro, and Montparnasse Tower from atop the Summit. With magnificent light works all around, it truly is an enchanting experience to see Paris from the skies at night.

No Eiffel Tower experience has a special night ticket as they are open throughout the day. However, the beauty of the Eiffel at night can only be experienced to its fullest on a dinner date or a Seine river cruise. Here are the top experiences on offer at night.

Eiffel Tower at Night - Tickets, Dinner and Cruise

Grabbing Eiffel Tower at night tickets is a simple affair. While there are no ticket only experiences to visit the Eiffel at night, you can club it with a city tour, a seine cruise or a dinner experience to get a feel of the Eiffel at night.

Why are photos of the Eiffel Tower at night illegal?

While it attracts a million people every year, it is a little known fact that clicking a picture of the Tower at night is illegal. This strange copyright law was passed down years ago, however, after the installation of lights in 1985 gave rise to another law stating that any photo/video showing the monument with visible lights is a violation on its own. Not only the Tower but the Louvre’s pyramid in Paris too is also protected under a similar law. Since France doesn’t have general freedom of panorama, the photo of the Eiffel Tower at night can only be published with prior permission.

Eiffel Tower Light Show


Beholding the monumental Eiffel Tower at night is quite an experience. With over 20,000 lights illuminating the iron marvel, the Iron Lady is visible from almost every location in Paris. However, there is one more magnificent feature of the Tower you need to witness at night - the Light Show.

An hourly phenomenon, the light show is a spectacle to behold as the Tower shimmers for five minutes every hour. As the tower is already lit up by bulbs, the burst of golden color and effervescent sparkles is a welcome change and looks absolutely beautiful. The light show happens for 5 minutes at the beginning of an hour between sundown and 1 am. The final show of the evening at 1.am is the most mystical and lasts for 10 minutes. You don't need any ticket to watch this spectacular phenomenon.

Secret Apartment on top of the Eiffel Tower


Gustave Eiffel’s Masterstroke

Eiffel Tower Tour

Climbing to the summit is a feat of its own; the view that it offers is unparalleled and the observation telescopes help you see almost all the Parisian attractions from the skies. With such exquisite features, It is no surprise that the man behind the Tower, Gustave Eiffel, decided to make an apartment for himself at the top of the iron marvel.

Though Gustave was extremely reserved in sharing the space with anyone else, the private apartment was recently renovated and opened to the public. Lined with paisley wallpaper, wooden furniture, and painting, Gustave’s office now features life-like wax models depicting the Tower’s creator and his daughter Claire welcoming the famous American inventor, Thomas Edison (one of the few people who was given access to the apartment by Gustave).

The office also features a collection of alternative designs for the tower, along with city maps, and construction plans, which can all be viewed by the visitors.

Eiffel Tower - Practical Information


Opening Hours

Mid-June to early September

9 AM - 12:45 AM
Last elevator ride to the top leaves at 11 PM
Similar stair access timings.

Rest of the year

9:30 AM - 11:45 PM
Last elevator ride to the top leaves at 10:30 PM
Stair access timings: 9:30 AM - 6 PM

Getting There

Metro
The Metro has two lines that have stops in close proximity to the Tower i.e Line 6 and 9.

RER Train
You can use the RER Train and get off at the Champs de Mars station.

Bus
Buses 82, 42, 87, and 69 operate to the Eiffel Tower.

Boat
You could also get to the Tower by using any of the Batobus boats.

Rules and Regulations you must know of


Timings: The Tower is open every day of the year from 09:30 to 23:45 (from 09:00 to 00:45 in summer). The sale of tickets ends 45 minutes before the monument closes. Last ascent to the summit is at 22:30 (23:00 in summer), unless the summit is closed early in very busy periods. Floor evacuation will begin 45-30 30 minutes before closure.

Progress to the summit first: If a number of floors are to be visited, the tour will start at the highest floor. Visitors with tickets for the summit must change the lift on the 2nd floor. When descending, visitors may visit the other floors.

Lost and Found: Lost or stolen tickets will not be refunded and no copies will be issued.

Restrictions: Visitors are expected to behave appropriately towards Eiffel Tower personnel and other visitors. The following are prohibited: walking barefoot, wearing anything that might disrupt public order, lying on benches, demonstrating and displaying banners.

Clicking pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night: It is illegal to click or share photos of the Tower during the light show at night. According to the official rule book, the illuminations are subject to the author’s rights and brand rights. Usage of these images is subject to prior request from the “Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel.

Best Views of the Eiffel Tower


Eiffel is undoubtedly the biggest attraction in Paris and thousands of visitors flock the tower almost all the time. While the different levels of the Tower offer unparalleled vistas of the capital city, there are quite a few places in Paris that offer an unobstructed and stunning view of the iron tower.

Whether you're a photographer looking for a perfect shot or a couple looking for a gorgeous evening with the Tower in the backdrop, there is always a place for you to look at the enchanting Tower. Here are the top places which offer the best view of the Tower.

Eiffel Tower Tickets
Place Du Trocadero

The most popular location in Paris to click pictures of the Eiffel Tower, Place Du Trocadero offers an unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower. Trocadero is situated on a hill on the West bank of the Seine and with the Eiffel standing majestically on the opposite bank. As the place aligns perfectly with the tower well, it is the perfect place to go on some funky photo-ops with the Eiffel Tower in the backdrop.

Eiffel Tower Tickets
Champs De Mars

The large, open green space in front of the Eiffel Tower is the perfect place to layback, relax and enjoy an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower. Flanked by the tower on one end and École Militaire on the other, Champs de Mars offers you an unparalleled view of the entire Eiffel Tower complex; from the Esplanade to the top of the tower. It is also a popular picnic spot among Parisians and you will almost always find some locals having a good time in the garden.

Eiffel Tower
Pont De Bir-Hakeim

Situated a few hundred meters from the Eiffel Tower, the Pont De Bir-Hakeim offers a beautiful view of the Tower, especially at night. The bridge is famous for its light-filled arches and is a popular spot among locals and tourists for watching the Eiffel Tower Light Show every night.

Handy Tips


  • Opting for dinner on top of the Tower is a great way to enjoy the night views of Paris. Spend time on the first floor of the Eiffel to catch spectacular panoramic views of the illuminated city.
  • As your Eiffel Tower Tour will include a fair bit of walking and climbing, it is advised that you wear comfortable clothes and running shoes.
  • Security at the monument is relatively strict, so remember to carry your ID cards, even for children.
  • Senior citizens and people with low mobility will not be allowed to climb the stairs. They will be directed to the stairs.
  • The Tower does not permit the storage of items such as suitcases, non-folding buggies, and prams.
  • Ticket queues can get uncomfortably long, with 90-minute waiting times. It is always better to book your tickets online to avoid long lines and get direct access to the Tower.
  • Taking the stairs is advisable as the elevator attracts a swarm of people. If you cannot climb due to an injury or are too tired for the day, take the elevator. Make your ride more memorable by shooting a video of your elevator ride to the top with your phone as soon as you step in.
  • Make sure you keep your belongings safe to avoid an unforeseen street theft.
  • During winters, carry warm clothes because it can get windy.
  • Download the Eiffel Tower app to get access to helpful information.
  • If you can, wait and watch the Eiffel Tower shimmer in the evening. Every five minutes on the hour, the monument sports a dazzling look with over 70,000 lights illuminating the iron tower.
  • Opening hours of the Tower are your go-to choice if you’re looking to beat the crowd. The waiting times are significantly lesser.

Interesting Facts about the Eiffel Tower


  1. It was completed in exactly two years, two months and five days and weighs 10,100 tonnes.
  2. The lift traverses 103,000 km a year. This is two and a half times the circumference of the Earth.
  3. The Tower shrinks by about six inches during cold weather in Paris.
  4. When the Germans captured Paris, the lift cables of the Tower were cut in a bid to make Hitler climb to the Summit on foot.
  5. In 1944, when Germany was losing the war, Hitler ordered Dietrich von Choltitz, the military governor of Paris, to demolish the tower, along with the city. Thankfully, the general defied his orders.
  6. It was originally supposed to be dismantled after 20 years. However, it doubled up as a wireless telegraph transmitter later and was allowed to stay.
  7. French car manufacturer Citroen created and hosted the biggest billboard ever on the tower between 1925 and 1934. They used a quarter of a million light bulbs to showcase the company name and it was recorded as the world’s biggest advertisement by the Guinness Book of Records.
  8. In 2008, a woman married the Eiffel Tower and changed her name to Erika La Tour Eiffel in honor of her ‘partner’.
  9. The tower sways around six to seven centimeters (2-3 inches) in the wind.
  10. A local newspaper organized a stair climbing tournament at the tower in 1905. The winner of the competition, M.Forestier, took only three minutes and 12 seconds to reach the second level of the the Tower.

FAQs


Can I skip the line with Eiffel Tower Tours?

Are multilingual guides available with Eiffel Tower Tours?

Can I cancel/reschedule my Eiffel Tower Guided Tour tickets?

Can I alter the date or time on my Eiffel Tower tickets?

How to skip the line at the Eiffel Tower?

Can I buy last minute tickets to the Eiffel Tower Summit on the day of the visit?

Is smoking allowed at the Eiffel Tower?

Is the security strict at the Eiffel Tower?

Why was the Eiffel Tower built?

What is the best time to see the Eiffel Tower?

What is the secret of the Eiffel Tower?

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