Go up the Eiffel Tower
As an emblematic monument known worldwide, the Eiffel Tower is now the symbol of Paris. The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 for the World Fair and rises to more than 330 meters. It towers over the rest of the city, offering various impressive views from its different floors. So, are you planning a trip to the French capital and want to go up the Eiffel Tower?
In this article, we will present all the essential information you need to know before going up the Eiffel Tower, helping you plan your visit in the best conditions. Afterwards, we will discuss the activity itself so that you can know all about going up the Eiffel Tower.
Practical information about the activity
Before explaining the details of the visit, we will cover all the practical aspects that you need to know before going up the Eiffel Tower, such as opening hours, the different ways to reach the top, the price, and even the duration of the visit.
Ticket prices
There are several types of visits to choose from to go up the Eiffel Tower. You can either visit on your own, or opt for a guided tour. You can buy a simple entrance ticket on the official Eiffel Tower website. However, we advise you to choose the guided tour to learn more about the monument’s history.
Visit the Eiffel Tower with optional access to the top. With a guide, go to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower to enjoy stunning views and learn more about the history of this symbol of Paris. For enjoying unique views of the French capital, you can choose the option that allows you to go to the top floor of the Eiffel Tower.
No matter what ticket you choose, we strongly advise you to book your ticket in advance, to avoid standing in line on the esplanade for too long. Aditionnally, if you plan to go to the top and buy your ticket on the same day, there is a possibility that access to the top will be full making it impossible for you to there.
If you want to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, make sure you select this option when buying your ticket. Indeed, if the option is not selected, you will only be able to go up to the second floor.
Go to the second or top floor of the Eiffel Tower and enjoy unique panoramic views of the most emblematic monuments of Paris. The top floor is an option that you need to select if you are interested.
How to go to the Eiffel Tower?
Located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, at the heart of the French capital, the Eiffel Tower is easily accessible by public transportations. You have several ways to reach the Eiffel Tower: subway, city bikes, RER trains, buses or car.
There are several options for reaching the Eiffel Tower using public transportation:
- By subway: You can take Line 6 to Bir Hakeim, Line 9 to Trocadero, or Line 8 to Ecole Militaire. From any of these stations, you will need to walk approximately ten minutes to reach the monument.
- By RER: RER Line C will take you to Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel station, which is only a 5-minute walk from the entrance.
- By bus: Several bus lines serve stops near the Eiffel Tower. Lines 83,30 and 42 stop at the 2nd entrance of the Eiffel Tower. Lines 60 and 86 stop near Champs de Mars and line 72 at Trocadero.
If you have a car, a car park is available 5 minutes away. But, it is recommended to book your parking space in advance.
Once at the Eiffel Tower, you will find two entrances leading to the esplanade: the first entrance is on the south side, and the second on the east side. Each entrance has a security checkpoint that you will need to pass through.
Duration of the visit
Depending on the type of visit you choose, your time spent at the Eiffel Tower site will vary. If you explore the monument by yourself, you can adjust the time spent on each floor as you wish. Going up to the top will increase the duration of your visit as well.
Please note that depending on the time of your visit to the Eiffel Tower, tourist crowds may vary. You may need to stand in line for a dozen of minutes near the elevators, bringing you to the different floors, particularly those leading to the top floor.
If you visit on your own, you can expect to spend an hour and a half to two hours exploring the different floors. Guided tours, depending on the option you selected, typically last at least 2 hours.
Opening hours
The Eiffel Tower is accessible everyday from 9:00am to midnight. Occasionally, the monument may be closed. So, it is better to check for information before your visit.
If you plan to go up the Eiffel Tower, note that in the case of strong winds, the monument may be temporarily closed. Information will be posted on the esplanade and on the official Eiffel Tower website.
How do the visit of the Eiffel Tower unfold?
With its multiple floors, the Eiffel Tower offers a variety of attractions to explore. In this part of the article, we will cover all the activities available on each floor: the esplanade, the first floor, second floor and the top floor.
Throughout your visit, on the different floors, you can enjoy a virtual experience. To enjoy it, you only need to flash the QR codes on your smartphone
The Esplanade of the Eiffel Tower
Located beneath the Eiffel Tower, the esplanade allows you to admire this enormous monument from underneath. It’s the first area you access when you arrive at the Eiffel Tower, and from here, you can take the stairs and elevators to the first and second floors, before continuing to the top floor.
On the Esplanade, you can find various bars et restaurants offering a range of sweet and savory meals. An information center and several shops are also located here too.
At this level, on the northern pillar, you have the opportunity to look at the bust of Gustave Eiffel. It was made by Antoine Bourdelle and inaugurated in 1929.
During the European Heritage Days, you can access the former elevator engine rooms dating back to 1899. They are located in the pillars. They are closed to public for the rest of the year.
Going up to the first floor
Accessible by stairs or elevator from the esplanade, the first floor offers many activities to help you discover the Eiffel Tower and its history.
First of all, you can start by walking on the glass floor and take the discovery tour, which includes screens, touch-sensitive slabs, digital albums and other interactive systems. On this floor of the Eiffel Tower, you will also have the chance to see a fragment of the historical staircase that once linked the second floor to the top.
Like on the esplanade, several restaurants and cafés are available. This level is also home to the Pavillon Ferrié, the largest shop at the Eiffel Tower.
Going up to the second floor
The visit to the Eiffel Tower keeps going with a stop at the second floor. It is split into two levels and is also accessible by stairs or elevators. From this floor, you can enjoy clear views of various emblematic monuments of Paris, such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Invalides and even, Notre Dame Cathedral.
The Michelin-starred restaurant “Le Jules Verne” is also located on the second floor. Be sure to book a table in advance if you wish to dine there. Alternatively, you can find other places to eat and some souvenir shops.
On the upper level of the second floor, you will find the elevators leading to the top floor of the Eiffel Tower. There are only four elevators, and depending on the day of your visit, you may need to wait quite some time before accessing the top.
Going up to the top of the Eiffel Tower
After exploring the different floors, you will reach the top. Located at 276 meters above the ground, it is the highest point in the French capital, where you can enjoy unique views.
Also split into two levels, one covered and the other in the open-air, you will discover various elements :
- The model of the top floor: behind a glazed wall, you can see a smaller-scale model depicting the top of the monument as it was in 1889.
- Gustave Eiffel’s office: it is a re-creation of Gustave Eiffel’s former office with windows and wax models including the famous Eiffel Tower’s creator.
- The panoramic maps: on the covered lower floor, signs indicates directions and distances from the Eiffel Tower. You can spot the distances to cities like New York or Dubai. You can also compare the height difference between the Eiffel Tower and other skyscrapers like the Empire State Building or the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world.
To complete your experience at the top of the Eiffel Tower, a champagne bar is available on the open-air level. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy a glass of champagne or limonade.
The history of the Eiffel Tower
The construction of the Eiffel Tower started in 1887 and was completed in 1889 for the Paris World Fair. Initially, the Eiffel Tower was intended to be a temporary structure that would not stay for more than 20 years. The famous Gustave Eiffel initiated this project to showcase the industrial power of the country.
After more than 2 years of work, the tower is inaugurated on March 31st, 1889. It opened its doors to the public on May 15th, 1889, and was an immediate success, attracting over 2 million visitors in its first year.
In 1910, the Eiffel Tower was supposed to be ceded to the Municipality of Paris, and subsequently demolished. However, Gustave Eiffel implemented several scientific experiments that would prevent the tower from being destroyed. Indeed, the tower was used for various scientific studies on weather, astronomy, physics, or air resistance. But, it was the Wireless Power Transfer experiment that ultimately preserved the Eiffel Tower.
Over the course of time, the Eiffel Tower became a true symbol of Paris. In the 1960’s, with the rise of international tourism, an important peak of frequentation was observed. Nowadays, it still attracts more than 6 million visitors every year.
As you can see, the Eiffel Tower is an emblematic monument in Paris. You can discover many fascinating elements while exploring its different floors, and its top floor offers clear and impressive views of the entire city. Regardless of the type of visit you choose, please try to book in advance to avoid any unpleasant surprises on the day of your visit.