The Eiffel Tower is with no doubt the most famous attraction in Paris! But why?
A brief history:
- Founded year: 1889 for the World’s Fair
- For four decades it was the world’s tallest structure!
- It was originally built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution
- It was supposed to be torn down after 20 years of its construction
- Gustave Eiffel had cleverly put a radio antenna and wireless telegraph transmitter in the Tower so the government decided not to demolish it because it was too useful!
As cheesy as it may seem, until today the Eiffel Tower has never lost its charm… Seeing it in the real world is never the same as seeing it in a picture!
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Tips for a first visit to the Eiffel Tower
You can get an amazing view on the Eiffel Tower from Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre. We really recommend going there first if it is your first time in Paris. However, be aware of pickpockets in the area as it gets very crowded. A lot of people (mainly immigrants) will try to sell you souvenirs, they are illegal and buying from them is illegal too!
There are always musicians and TikTokers in the square making it one of the busiest and most lively of Paris! Also, protests are sometimes held in Trocadero so don’t be surprised if you see protesters with different flags! For a more peaceful visit, try to be there before 9 am or after 11 pm.
From Trocadero, go down the stairs passing through Trocadéro Gardens to reach Pont d’Iéna (Iéna Bridge). You will find yourself right under the Eiffel Tower! Keep walking and enjoy the Champs de Mars, a large greenspace where many people gather and picnic. It is also a great place to take pictures and videos!
Can you go inside the Eiffel Tower?
The answer is YES! The Eiffel Tower has 3 floors. The first and second floor are accessible via stairs or by elevator, whereas the last floor is only accessible by elevator.
Try to buy your tickets online in advance to avoid the long queues to enter, sometimes the waiting time is up to 3 hours! However, if you are visiting in winter or during the low season, you might wait less than an hour.
We chose to climb up the stairs and it is totally worth it! The stairs are very safe and the views are fantastic while going up! Also, the waiting queue is usually shorter for the stairs and the ticket is cheaper. Once you arrive at the second floor, take the elevator to reach the top and enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of Paris!
You can check on the official website of the Eiffel Tower the opening times and the prices.
The Eiffel Tower by night
Try to visit the Eiffel Tower during the day and night. As soon as it gets dark, it is lit up and each hour until one o’clock in the morning it sparkles for 5 minutes! Make sure not to miss this moment!
The beauty in the Eiffel Tower, is not only in its height, light decorations or location. It is the whole experience while visiting alongside other travelers, locals from all around the globe!
You might also like to checkout those 12 Things to do in Paris that are NOT the Eiffel Tower!