How to Visit the Eiffel Tower
Rack your brain, ask your friends, consult your therapist and chances are they will agree that the most romantic spot on Earth has got to be the top of the Eiffel Tower. So, now you know where to take your best girl, but do you have what it takes to get there?
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Things You'll Need
- Athletic Shoes
- Money Belts
- Travel Services
- Camcorders
- Camera Bags
- Cameras
- Film
- Fanny Packs
Instructions
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Time your trip to Paris' Eiffel Tower during the off-season to avoid crowds and catch a lower airfare. Late fall through early spring is the off-season for Paris tourism.
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Bring your camera and plenty of film (buy it before you get there) and be prepared for a spectacular view. A zoom lens will help you capture the traces of Paris you can see in the distance.
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Plan to visit La Tour Eiffel at least twice. Daytime hours offer breathtaking views from the heights of the tower, and nighttime hours offer breathtaking views of the heights of the tower itself.
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Plan your trip to the Eiffel Tower almost any time of the day. The Eiffel Tower is open throughout the year, seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; in the summertime, hours are extended to 9 a.m. to midnight.
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Choose the level you want to visit. The Eiffel Tower has three observation levels; the higher you go, the more you pay.
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Decide if you want to walk or ride. You may take an elevator up or opt for the stairs, but be advised: It is 704 steps to the first floor alone.
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Have a romantic lunch during your visit. You can choose from a variety of vendors at the foot of the tower, Altitude 95 on the first floor and Le Jules Verne on the second floor.
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Peruse the many displays on the top level that enhance your viewing experience. There are panoramic and orientation tables to help you determine what you are seeing in the Parisian landscape below.
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Mail a postcard before you leave. The Paris Tour Eiffel post office, on the first floor, offers a special Eiffel Tower postmark as well as a selection of French postage stamps.
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Tips & Warnings
Alexander-Gustave Eiffel constructed the tower for the Paris Exhibition in 1889. Even though today it symbolizes Paris throughout the world, at the time, most Parisians were opposed to the building of what they called a monstrosity.
If you plan to eat at Le Jules Verne, it is advisable to call for reservations, as immediate seating is almost unheard of.
Take as few items with you as possible. There is no coat check room, and purses and tote bags will only hinder you as you crane your neck for the perfect view.
Be aware that large bags and animals are not allowed on the tower for security reasons. In addition, bags or packages that look suspicious may be searched by security.
Keep a tight hold on your purse or bag; if carrying a wallet, consider placing it in a front pocket for added security. Purse snatching and pocket picking incidents at the Eiffel Tower have become less frequent, but it's still wise to take precautions.
Open hours and admission prices are subject to change.
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Comments
View all 8 Comments-
Aug 08, 2006
If visiting the tower in early spring, make sure that you have a jacket or jumper to put on if necessary; it can get very cold waiting in line! Also, be aware that the queues don't end when you get in the elevator. There is usually a long wait on floor two if you want to go to the summit. Definitely worth it though! -
Aug 08, 2006
If visiting the tower in early spring, make sure that you have a jacket or jumper to put on if necessary; it can get very cold waiting in line! Also, be aware that the queues don't end when you get in the elevator. There is usually a long wait on floor two if you want to go to the summit. Definitely worth it though!
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Aug 08, 2006
If you go to the Eiffel Tower on New Year's Eve, be aware that there are many people throwing fireworks everywhere. If you are not used to it, it can be very annoying. Also, take with you a bottle of Champagne and a couple of glasses. You'll see everybody cheering and toasting; you will wish you had some. Also, don't wait until it's too late to return to your hotel, there will be a sea of people flooding the metro stations. Other tip: Take a heavy jacket with you, it will be very cold.
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Nov 22, 2005
The queue for the stairs is usually a lot shorter, so take the stairs to the first level (you don't need to be overly fit to do this) and go the rest of the way go by elevator.
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Nov 22, 2005
Arrive early to beat the lines. Arriving late in the morning could mean an extra hour waiting in line. After spending the morning at the Tower, stroll around the corner to rue Cler, a great street market, to pick out your lunch. Tarte Julie's is a must.
