Landmark · Gros-Caillou
Eiffel Tower
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The Eiffel Tower needs no introduction, yet it still surprises in person, the lattice ironwork is far more delicate up close than photographs suggest, and the structure visibly sways and creaks in the wind, a reminder that it was engineering bravado before it was a postcard. Three levels are open to visitors: the first (now with a vertigo-inducing glass floor), the second (the best balance of height and detail for photos), and the summit at 276m, reached by a separate lift and worth the extra wait on a clear day.
Most people photograph the tower from the Trocadéro across the river, but the view looking up from directly beneath the four pillars is the one that stays with you. Come once in daylight to climb it, and once after dark to watch it sparkle, for the first five minutes of every hour, thousands of lights shimmer across the whole frame.
Don't miss
- The summit (276m), book the lift in advance; the queue for a same-day summit ticket is brutal
- The glass floor on the first level, directly above the 57m drop
- Le Jules Verne, the Michelin-starred restaurant on the second floor (its own lift, separate booking)
- The hourly five-minute light sparkle after dark, best watched from the Champ de Mars lawn
- Gustave Eiffel's restored private apartment near the top, with wax figures of Eiffel and Thomas Edison
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Eiffel Tower
You can visit on your own (paid entry, tiered by how high you go and whether you take the lift or stairs. book timed-entry tickets on the official site well ahead, summit slots sell out days in advance in peak season). A tour adds transport and a guide, or combines nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inParis: Eiffel Tower Photo Shoot4.8★ · 610 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$34 per personSee dates →
Most bookedEiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift4.2★ · 7,393 travelers~2 hoursFrom$49 per personSee dates →
Private & flexiblePhoto Session in Paris - Photographer at the Eiffel Tower5★ · 505 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$65 per personSee dates →Good for
How travelers rate it
Know before you go
- Security screening is airport-style, arrive 30 minutes before your booked slot.
- Large bags, glass bottles, and sharp objects are not allowed; there is no cloakroom.
- Ignore people selling "skip-the-line" tickets at the base, buy only from the official site.
- On a hazy day the summit view is disappointing; check visibility before paying the top-tier fare.
A bit of history
Gustave Eiffel's company built the tower for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, marking a century since the French Revolution. Parisian artists and writers signed a furious petition against the "useless and monstrous" iron giant, and it was only meant to stand for 20 years. It survived because the antennas at its top made it invaluable for radio, and later television, transmission. Today it is the most-visited paid monument on Earth.
Common questions
Should I take the lift or the stairs?
Stairs (to the 2nd floor only) are cheaper and the queue is usually shorter, with 674 steps. The lift is essential for the summit and for anyone with limited mobility.
How far ahead should I book?
For the summit in summer, several days to a week. Lower levels are more flexible but online booking still saves you a long line.
Is it worth going to the very top?
On a clear day, yes, the perspective over Paris is unmatched. On a grey or hazy day, the second floor gives you most of the view for less money and waiting.
When does it sparkle?
For the first five minutes of every hour after sunset, until 1am (11pm in winter). The Champ de Mars lawn is the best free vantage point.
Can I bring a picnic?
Not up the tower, but the Champ de Mars lawn below is one of the city's great picnic spots, with the tower as your backdrop.
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