The Eiffel Tower is affectionately known as La Dame de Fer ( the Iron Lady ). Built in record time between 1887 and 1889, this iconic symbol of the city of Paris was initially designed as one of the main attractions of the Exposition Universelle ( World Fair ). The Eiffel Tower is currently the most-visited paid statue in the world, surpassing the 300-meter building that was initially criticized by those who predicted a collapsed Parisian sky. From its beginning deadline on May 15, 1989, until now, nearly 300 million readers have been stunned by the Eiffel Tower’s incredible views. A cease at the Eiffel Tower is undoubtedly on your list if you are planning a trip to Paris. Learn my three- time itinerary if you’re still not certain how to invest your time in the City of Love. From the origin story to how to organize your visit, this wonderful memorial has all you need to know about it. If you’re looking where to stay, examine out my best hospitality link to Paris including the best areas and resorts. Looking to purchase a solution to the top of the Eiffel Tower or the second floor? I recommend buying them digitally on Find Your Guide! The Eiffel Tower was constructed as the first major appeal of the 1889 Exposition Universelle, a World Fair marking the 100-year party of the French Revolution. Projected by Gustave Eiffel ( hence the name ), it was, at the time, an equivoque sign of engineering and architectural skills– which it still is, in my opinion. Despite visiting the Eiffel Tower twice, regardless of its name, I also feel drawn to the magnificence of this 300-meter castle and the spectacular views from its second floor. To respect the great accomplishments of European scientists, engineers, and mathematics, Eiffel engraved 72 names on the sides of the building. These names were unfortunately painted over at some stage, and they were not well received by everyone. Luckily, the building has been restored to its original “look” in the early 1980s, and you can now see the 72 names again where they were usually meant to be – reminding guests that the building was designed as a symbol of technology and intellectual achievement. The Iron Lady was actually the world’s tallest man-made construction, but it remained so for a longer 41 years before falling to the 1930 Chrysler Building in New York. There are three ranges open to visitors: The second floor and following floors are for you if you love buying and foods, as these rates feature numerous shops and restaurants along with spectacular views.
The brave will purchase tickets with mountain access, where you’ll receive a magnificent view deck and an observation deck that captures the city’s beauty.
One interesting thing about the scarcely mentioned primary floor is its exciting glass floor. For a unique view of the Eiffel Tower’s beauty, this cup floor invites the more exciting visitors to have atop a clear floor. Reaching the various surfaces can be quite an experience in itself. There are two ways to travel from the ground to the first floor and second ground: by ascending 347 staircase to the first floor and 347 more steps to the second floor.
By taking one of the three ramps that you can get from the bottom of each wall of the Eiffel Tower —North, East, and West columns.
A fourth ( and exclusive ) elevator leads to the Le Jules Verne Restaurant, where you can enjoy exquisite French cuisine and breathtaking views of Paris’s most recognizable landmarks. There’s also a second floor dedicated to the Eiffel Tower’s team. You’ll get two trio lifts that will take you to the height of Parisian vistas if you purchase tickets for the higher grounds ( in other words, with mountain access ). No matter how great you choose to get and how you’ll get it, one thing I can assure you is that you’ll be rewarded for your effort with incredible cityscapes and the exhilaration of standing atop this ancient monument. The price of tickets to the Eiffel Tower depends on both how far you want to go ( 2nd floor or summit ) and whether you want to take the nearly 700 stairs or take the elevator to get there. Below I list the different price combinations ( the prices are for adults only, there are cheaper rates for children that are I am not listing here ): Stairs: €18, 80
Elevator: €18, 80
Stairs to the 2nd floor: €22, 40
Elevator to the second floor: €29, 40
Regardless of your choice, it is always best to buy your tickets online to save time. I suggest purchasing your Eiffel Tower tickets on Get Your Guide because they offer the best value at the lowest price. I recommend you do this in advance as there is a limited number of tickets available online for the daily Eiffel Tower Access. Do n’t act like me! I had to stay in line for more than one hour to get my summit access ticket from one of the ticket offices on the bottom. On the Eiffel Tower’s website, you can find all the information about waiting times. Any time is a good time to visit the Eiffel Tower– especially if the day is clear and there is no fog. The views are stunning, whether they are during the day or after nightfall, and that is why I believe one should visit this monument more frequently because there is always something to see. This being said it is important to be aware of the lines. When you walk near the Eiffel Tower, you will find lines all over. These include ticket entry lines, elevator lines, guided tour lines, and many others. There are security checks to enter the premises of the Eiffel Tower, which gives you access to the central square below the” Dame de Fer”, meaning Iron Lady in French. If you still need to purchase Eiffel Tower tickets, the ticket offices are right here as well. There are different lines to purchase tickets to go up ( stairs or elevator ) and additional lines that take you to a different Eiffel Tower entrance. You’ll have to wait in one more elevator line on the second floor if you purchased a ticket because there are n’t enough lines. In conclusion, the earlier you go, the shorter the lines will be, and the more time you’ll have to admire the Eiffel Tower, the Champs de Mars views, and the whole city. The Eiffel Tower is inaugurated at 9:30 am. Closing times vary depending on the season, with the tower typically shutting its gates around 11.00 pm, allowing you to admire the cityscape both during the day and under the twinkling lights of the Parisian night sky. On the official website, you can check the current opening times as well as the weather and wind conditions. If you marveled at the Eiffel Tower’s beauty during the day, wait to see it shine when the sun goes down. The Eiffel Tower transforms into a stunning, luminous landmark as the evening falls over Paris. Travel Tip: Do n’t miss the 5- minute sparkling lights spectacle at the start of each hour! A powerful beacon at the top of the Eiffel Tower, which emits two expansive light beams that can be seen up to 80 kilometers away, will also be visible at the same time. The sparkling magic ends at 1 am during the winter and at 2 am in the summer months, when the lights of the Eiffel Tower are turned off. Wondering when this nightly custom first appeared? Surprisingly, not so long ago. The Eiffel Tower’s 1999 New Year’s Eve celebration changed the tower’s history forever despite previous light shows that had taken place at the Eiffel Tower. This date marked the first- ever ( now- iconic ) sparkling lights show, involving 20, 000 bulbs that added a glittering effect to the tower’s structure. This unforgettable light show is copyright-protected, which is an interesting fact. Why, you may ask? Because the Eiffel Tower’s lights are regarded as a work of art in their own right. For that reason, reproducing images of the lit- up tower at night without permission could infringe on copyright laws. If you’re just a casual photographer like I am, you can be sure the police wo n’t detain you for posting a picture of the stunning light show on your Instagram. The Eiffel Tower is not just a monument of iron and lights, it’s also a culinary destination where restaurants like Jules Verne and Madame Brasserie offer unique dining experiences combined with breathtaking views. The Eiffel Tower’s second floor houses the Jules Verne. If I had to describe the experience at Jules Verne in two words, those would be: unique and luxurious. Since October 2018, the Jules Verne restaurant has one Michelin star in addition to the three Michelin-starred chef Frédéric Anton. Known as a gastronomic “must- see and taste” in Paris, this restaurant offers a lunch and dinner tasting menu that is unlike any other in Paris, with options for a 5- course menu starting at €255. Booking your table online for your Jules Verne experience is a must given its fame and location. Another culinary gem within the Eiffel Tower is Madame Brasserie. Madame Brasserie’s gourmet French cuisine is ethical, local, and sustainable while keeping with the spirit of contemporary times. The philosophy behind Madame Brasserie’s menu is simple yet gourmet, reflecting a deep respect for people and the environment. A garden that could have been adapted from a Disney fairytale can be found at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Enchanting and calm, I spent a lot of time reading in these gardens when they were easily accessible. There are currently some works being done here. Even though you cannot relax on the lush green grass by the pond right now, you can still absorb the beauty of these magical gardens free of charge. What must you do to travel there? Pass the first security check at the Eiffel Tower entrance. The Trocadero Gardens, which are a short walk from the Eiffel Tower itself, are nearby. These gardens are great for views of the Eiffel Tower or if you are looking for a beautiful place to sit down, relax, and maybe have a picnic. The Trocadero Gardens, which are renowned for offering breathtaking views of the Eiffel Towers, will appear familiar to you even if you are visiting them for the first time. Many people find these locations to be the best place to kneel down and ask their partners to stay with them until the end of time. There are are many ways to get around Paris but approaching the Eiffel Tower on foot is an experience that allows you to truly absorb the romantic essence of Paris. Each turn and corner of the Eiffel Tower’s iconic iron structure, slowly revealing its engineering grandeur against the charming Parisian architecture, offers a new perspective to the iconic iron structure as you navigate the city’s beautiful streets. Using Paris’s efficient public transport system is another way to arrive at the Eiffel Tower. You can get there quickly with the Paris Metro, which leaves you only a short walk from the tower. Alternatively, use the RER train network, which stops at Champ de Mars/Tour Eiffel station. A Seine River cruise is one of the most enchanting ways to see the Eiffel Tower. These cruises offer a unique vantage point from which to admire the Eiffel Tower, allowing you to get a shot of its full size as it rises above its surroundings. The Eiffel Tower appears and reappears from behind buildings and trees while taking a Seine River cruise, giving the experience of a game of hide and seek. Even more magical than that is seeing the tower illuminate and sparkle in the evening from the Seine River. highly romantically inclined! A Seine River cruise provides a different perspective of the Eiffel Tower, whether by day or night. This is undoubtedly a must-do activity if you are a fan of this stunning Iron Lady when you are in Paris. 2 years, 2 months and 5 days is the time it took to build the Eiffel Tower.
The original life of the tower was 20 years, as it was supposed to have been torn down 20 years after its construction.
300 meters is the height of this magnificent symbol of Paris.
In the construction of the tower, 7, 300 tons of iron were used.
2.5 million rivets hold the iron structure of the Eiffel Tower together.
During the construction of the tower, 5, 300 people worked on-site ( 300 ) and in the workshops (5, 000 ).
30 inspired replicas are scattered worldwide – from Tokyo to Las Vegas.
The Eiffel Tower needs to be illuminated with 20, 000 lightbulbs.
410 square feet meters is the size of the square formed by the four pillars of the Eiffel Tower.
Ironically, Gustave Eiffel was not the architect of the Tower structure that was named in his honor. In fact, Eiffel’s two chief engineers, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, came up with the idea to build a very tall iron tower.
The Eiffel Tower was originally scheduled to be destroyed 20 years after its completion. Why did n’t it happen? Because the tower had a clever Monsieur Gustave Eiffel that housed a radio antenna and a wireless telegraph transmitter. The Paris Government agreed to the usefulness of the tower ( besides being a gigantic iron attraction in the middle of the Champ de Mars ) and decided to extend its life expectancy for 70 more years. Needless to say, by 1980, the Tower had become one of Paris ‘ most recognizable symbols, and its “death date” was forgotten.
The Iron Lady is a long- lost cousin of another very well- known Lady – Lady Liberty, better known as the Statue of Liberty. Given his iron expertise, the statue’s sculptor, Frédéric- Auguste Bartholdi, requested Eiffel’s assistance when designing Lady Liberty.
The Eiffel Tower moves. Although it’s difficult to believe, I’ve personally experienced it! Wind and heat are the two factors that can make the tower sway. This tower, measuring 300 meters, was designed to withstand storms and high-speed winds. Also, on hot summer days, the heat causes the iron to expand, which can actually result in the Tower “growing” a few centimeters.
Gustave Eiffel built a private residence for himself that housed prominent and influential people of his time at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Thomas Edison was among the lucky people to be invited to this unique Paris apartment.
Color variations of the Eiffel Tower. Initially built in a reddish- brown, it has been yellow and even a shade of bronze. It is now covered in” Eiffel Tower Brown” paint, which is applied in three different hues to enhance the structure’s silhouette against the Parisian sky. Another interesting fact is that the Eiffel Tower is repainted every seven years to protect it from rust, and more than 60 tons of paint are necessary to cover the entire structure.
Yes, of course! Visiting the Eiffel Tower is worth it and one of the best things to do in Paris. You’ll never tire of it if you make a trip more than once! With unparalleled views of Paris and iconic photo opportunities, the Eiffel Tower is a memorable experience for any trip. According to my observations, the length of your visit to the Eiffel Tower can vary, especially if you find yourself lost between the first floor retail spaces or the world-famous landmarks on the second floor. Personally, I’d suggest allowing yourself at least 1.5 hours if you’re planning to explore just the first floor and second floor. If you purchased a ticket to the top floor, I suggest setting aside about 2.5 hours. This duration considers not just the ascent and descent but also some time to pause, breathe in the Parisian air, and let the city’s magnificence from such a height truly sink in. Remember to reserve your Eiffel Tower tickets ahead of time by doing so online. Choosing between the second floor and the top of the Eiffel Tower depends on what you’re looking for in your visit. If you have a short amount of time in Paris, you might want to save some time and put other activities in order before the queue to the top level. However, if you have the time, the journey to the top offers a unique, breathtaking perspective of the city that I’m sure you’ll find unforgettable. Despite that, the views from the second floor also have something special about them. It strikes a perfect balance, offering a panoramic view of Paris that is both sweeping and detailed enough to identify the city’s landmarks, especially the nearby Champ de Mars. This mid-point makes it easier for you to get a sense of the urban environment and see the various monuments that surround the city. The Eiffel Tower, with its majestic structure and panoramic views of Paris, embodies the city’s beauty essence. The experience is unquestionably incredible, no matter how you choose to explore it. In the end, whether you go to the very top or savor the views from the second floor, one thing I’m sure of: your visit to the Eiffel Tower will be something you wo n’t forget. Please take note that this post may contain affiliate links, which means that we make a small commission on sales made through this website without any charge to you. We only recommend sites we actually use and thank you for your support!
