Eiffel Tower
The most recognisable structure on earth. Here's how to actually enjoy it.
In peak season (June–August) the first-entry slots sell out 2–3 months in advance. Do not arrive without a ticket expecting to buy one. The queue for on-the-day tickets can be 90–120 minutes. Book at the official site: toureiffel.paris.
The history in two minutes
Built 1887–1889 by Gustave Eiffel's engineering company for the 1889 World's Fair — the centenary of the French Revolution. The tower was supposed to be temporary: demolished after 20 years. It was saved because it made an excellent radio antenna, and its wireless telegraphy was used to intercept German communications during World War I.
The critics hated it at first. Guy de Maupassant allegedly ate lunch in the tower restaurant daily because it was the only place in Paris from which he couldn't see it. Opinion has shifted since.
The three levels
First floor — 57m
A glass-floored section (a new addition, not original — you can look straight down to the ground) and an exhibition about the tower's construction. There's also a brasserie and a restaurant. The views are good but this is the most crowded level relative to what you get. It's included in the lift ticket but frankly a brief stop on the way up or down.
Second floor — 115m
This is the best level. The views in every direction are extraordinary — you're high enough to see the city's complete geography but close enough to recognise streets and landmarks. Jules Verne, the Michelin-starred restaurant, is here (book 3 months ahead separately). This is also as far as you can go on the cheaper ticket.
The summit — 276m
Gustave Eiffel's private apartment has been recreated here, complete with wax figures of Edison and Eiffel himself. The views are spectacular on a clear day — 70km visibility means you can see the cathedrals at Chartres to the south and the forests of the Île-de-France in every direction. The champagne bar sells a glass of Moët for €19. Worth it.
The sparkling lights
Every hour on the hour after dark — from official sunset until 1am weekdays, 2am weekends — 20,000 gold flickering lights cover the tower for exactly five minutes. This was added in 2000 for the Millennium and has been running since. The best viewing spots:
- Trocadéro esplanade: The classic head-on view. Most crowded but most photogenic. Arrive 20 minutes before the hour for a front-row position.
- Champ de Mars: More space, slightly angled. Excellent for the full tower without the Trocadéro crowds.
- Pont d'Iéna: The bridge between the two, directly below. You're underneath the tower while it sparkles.
Practical tips
- Book on the official site (toureiffel.paris), not third-party booking sites.
- The earliest available slot each morning has the fewest crowds.
- You can walk up to the second floor (stairs ticket, cheaper) and take the lift to the summit.
- The lift queue has a separate line for booked tickets — you'll bypass most of the crowd.
- Last-minute: try checking for 4pm slots which sometimes become available on the day.
- The tower closes in extreme winds. Check the weather and have a backup plan.
Eiffel Tower FAQ
In July and August, book 2–3 months ahead — the first-entry slots sell out that fast. In April, May, June, September and October, 3–4 weeks is usually sufficient. In winter you can often book a week ahead. Always book online at the official site (toureiffel.paris) — third-party sites charge a markup.
The second floor (at 115m) has the best balance of views and atmosphere. You're high enough to see the full city but close enough to see the streets below. The summit (at 276m, with the glass floor section) is spectacular on a clear day — you can see 70km. It's also significantly more crowded. If it's clear, do the summit. If it's hazy, the second floor is better.
Yes. You can walk up to the second floor via the stairs — it's 674 steps and takes about 20 minutes at a reasonable pace. The stair ticket is cheaper than the lift ticket. The summit is accessible only by lift. The stair queue is usually shorter than the lift queue for people without pre-booked tickets.
Every hour on the hour from official sunset until 1am (2am on the weekend). The show lasts exactly 5 minutes. Best viewed from the Trocadéro esplanade (the classic head-on view) or the Champ de Mars (more space, slightly angled). The 10pm show is the most popular.
Yes, unambiguously. The view from the second floor is one of the great cityscapes of the world — the formal grid of Haussmann's Paris spreading out in every direction, the Seine curving through it, the dome of Sacré-Cœur white on the hill. The queues without pre-booked tickets are the only genuine deterrent. With a booked slot, you walk straight in.