Eiffel Tower, Paris

About the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars by the Seine, named after engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built it from 1887 to 1889. It was the centrepiece of the 1889 World's Fair. Many leading artists and writers criticised it at first, but the Iron Lady became the symbol of Paris and one of the most recognisable structures on Earth.

It stands 330 metres tall, about the height of an 81-storey building, on a square base 125 metres a side. When built, it became the world's tallest structure, a title it held for 41 years until 1930. Since 1991 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Paris, Banks of the Seine.

What to see on the tower

• The first floor — a glass floor above the square below.
• The second floor — the best view of Paris and the Seine.
• The summit — a platform at 276 metres and Eiffel's office.
• Restaurants — on the first and second floors.
• Evening lights — the tower sparkles on the hour.
• The view from Trocadéro — the classic shot across the river.

The levels and the climb

There are three levels for visitors. The first has viewing decks with a partly glass floor and restaurants; the second has the most rewarding view, with roofs, bridges and domes clearly visible; the summit has an open platform 276 metres up and Gustave Eiffel's restored office.

You can go up by lift or by stairs. Over 300 steps lead to the first floor, and as many again to the second. The summit is reached only by lift. Walking is cheaper and lets you see the iron structure up close, but it takes some stamina.

The tower by night and the best views

After dark the tower glows gold, and at the start of every hour it sparkles with thousands of lights for a few minutes. It's one of the most popular sights in Paris, and many people head to the Champ de Mars or the Seine in the evening just to see it.

The best views of the tower itself are from Trocadéro across the Seine, the lawns of the Champ de Mars, the Bir-Hakeim bridge and boats on the river. Trocadéro is almost empty early in the morning, the best time for photos.

Tips for your visit

Arrive early for your slot, as security queues can be long even with a ticket. Morning or late evening is best, with fewer people and lovely light. It's windy and cool at the summit even in summer, so bring a light layer.

To see Paris by day and by night, book a slot an hour before sunset and watch the city light up. Dinner at one of the tower's restaurants needs booking well ahead.

Souvenir sellers and petition scammers gather around the tower, so keep your belongings close. Children love the lift ride and the glass floor on the first level.

Places in Paris: compare and choose

Places in Paris rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.

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Champ de Mars

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Trocadéro

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Seine river cruise

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Pont Alexandre III

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How to do it right

• Book timed tickets ahead.
• Morning or late evening.
• It sparkles on the hour.
• A layer for the summit.

Questions