The Eiffel Tower is, for many people, synonymous with the city of Paris and stands majestically right by the banks of the Seine River. It is impossible not to see the Eiffel Tower from most locations in the French capital, and a visit here is a must for anyone visiting.
For those who choose to go up to one of the observation decks, a magnificent view of all of Paris awaits, along with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience one of the world’s most famous landmarks in person.
Tickets to the Eiffel Tower
You can purchase tickets to go up the lovely Eiffel Tower directly at the ticket office located at the entrance, but keep in mind that the queues can be very long, especially if you are in Paris during the peak summer season. You can also choose to buy tickets to the tower on the official website online.
An excellent alternative to this is to book your tickets with the popular Get Your Guide. This ticket includes access to the observation deck you have chosen when booking, as well as practical information and assistance to make your visit as smooth as possible.
You avoid standing in line to buy tickets and heading to the entrance, but you must always go through the security check. With these tickets, you have the option to cancel your visit up to 24 hours in advance and receive a 62% refund of the ticket price. The meeting point is just outside Le Champ de Mars Cafe. Buy your tickets easily here
The easiest way to get to the Eiffel Tower
There are several bus lines that take you to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. You can choose between buses 82, 30, 42, 86, 69, or 72. All bus lines require you to walk a short distance, but no more than five minutes. The bus costs 1.90 euros one way for an adult, but you can also choose to buy other combination tickets and passes that make the price a bit cheaper.
You can also choose to take the metro. There are three routes that take you to the Eiffel Tower. Either take line 9, the yellow line, where you get off at Trocadero, or take line 6, the green line, where you get off at Bir-Hakeim.
Last but not least, there is the option to take line 8, the purple line, where you instead get off at Ecole-Militaire. The closest of these three is Bir-Hakeim, from which you walk to the Eiffel Tower in about eight minutes. The metro also costs 1.90 euros if you buy a one-way ticket as an adult.
The history of the Eiffel Tower
It was for the great World’s Fair that was to take place in Paris that the French government commission announced a competition for a tower to be built on the Champ de Mars in Paris. 700 proposals for constructions were submitted, but it was the French engineer Gustave Eiffel’s proposal that was accepted.
200 workers built the tower in less than two years, and on March 30, 1889, the tower was completed. About fifty important guests walked together with Gustave Eiffel to the top, 1,665 steps, to celebrate its completion. At the same time, 21 cannon shots rang out from platform number two.
The plan was to tear down the tower after the World’s Fair was over, but since funds for this were lacking, it was allowed to remain. It had also become extremely popular among the population and attracted large numbers of visitors from the start. However, some critical voices were raised, mainly within Paris’s cultural world, but these were eventually silenced.
Until 1922, it was the tallest building in the world, and on a clear day, you can see up to 67 kilometers away. A total of 300 million people have visited the Eiffel Tower, and its popularity has not changed or slowed down over the years.
What you shouldn’t miss during your visit to the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower largely speaks for itself, and you will not regret a visit here. It is a unique experience of Paris and an absolute must for all travelers, regardless of age and preferences. There is much to see and experience, and below you will find tips on what you absolutely must not miss during your visit.
The highest observation deck
Those who want to visit the Eiffel Tower can choose to admire it from the ground or book tickets to one of the observation decks. A tip for those who want to optimize their experience is to book a ticket to the very highest of these. From here, you will get a unique view of all of Paris’s buildings, and it is a visit you will not regret. Special elevators for ticket holders take you to the top from the second observation deck in the tower.
The bar at the top
If you have the chance, you should also not miss visiting the bar at the top to have a glass of champagne and celebrate your experience. This adds extra sparkle to your experience, and there are also nice options for those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks. The bar is open until the last admission to the top.
Experience the stairs
The 1,665 original steps that Gustave Eiffel had built for his tower are an experience in themselves when you visit the Eiffel Tower. If you have the opportunity and your mobility allows it, it is a unique chance to see the tower as it originally looked. A breathtaking and fun experience for everyone who visits the Eiffel Tower during their stay in the French capital.
Take a walk on the glass floor
For the brave, it is also possible to step out onto the relatively newly built glass floor in the Eiffel Tower. Here you get a unique view downward, and your heart is guaranteed to race a little as you walk here. This is not for those who easily get dizzy!
Guided tours and other experiences at the Eiffel Tower
It is possible to book a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower directly on their website. A guide will then provide you with more information about its background and history, as well as answer any questions you may have.
It is important to note, however, that this is a popular way to experience the Eiffel Tower, and it is not guaranteed that you can get a spot on a tour unless you have booked it well in advance. Here, Get Your Guide’s tickets instead give you the opportunity to wander around and stay as long as you wish at various locations around the tower.
Opening hours of the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is open every day of the year. From June to September, the tower is open from 9:00 AM to midnight, while during the rest of the year, the opening hours are from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM. In general, the tower is also open during major holidays and public holidays, but you should always check the information about this, which may be announced on the Eiffel Tower’s website.
Also read: Paris: The Louvre
Good to know before your visit
You are not allowed to bring large luggage or strollers up the Eiffel Tower. This is a safety issue. There is also no luggage storage on the ground at the entrance. Therefore, you should not bring any of these if you want to visit the tower without problems.
If the highest point to visit in the Eiffel Tower unexpectedly needs to be closed, this is not announced in advance, unless it is maintenance that has been planned for a long time.
If you visit the Eiffel Tower and use a wheelchair, this works perfectly up to platform number two. Unfortunately, it is not possible to visit the highest platform in this case.
Smoking is not allowed inside the Eiffel Tower, nor on the observation decks. The entire area is a smoke-free zone.
The Eiffel Tower is a visit to Paris’s history
The world-famous Eiffel Tower is an absolute must during your time in Paris, and you will not regret a visit here. The magnificent views are well worth your time, and you can also learn a lot about what has shaped Paris into the city it is today.
For those who take the time, there are also several unique details here that are interesting to discover, whether you visit the Eiffel Tower during winter or summer. Take the chance to book your tickets to one of the world’s most famous landmarks today.
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