The Eiffel Tower, probably one of the most famous monuments in the world, if not - allow me to be a bit chauvinist here 😉 - the most famous of all!
Visiting the Eiffel Tower is a must-do for almost every person coming to Paris. But, as you can imagine, almost every person coming to Paris all together adds up to a LOT of people... So, to visit the Eiffel Tower seamlessly, nothing better than a little bit of prep... here are some insider tips to help you:
Buy your ticket online on the official website - Tickets are open for sales 2 months before the visit date… and sell out quickly: be in the starting blocks!
Try the stairs if you want to spice up your visit a notch: mind you with the 700 steps and the height, there's room for adventure when you visit the Eiffel Tower (you can trust me on that one... the day I tried, it's my 12-year-old daughter who had to keep saying "Don't look down Mummy, I'm here, look at me" - yes, no kidding 😅).
If you have no other option as to queue to get tickets, use the waiting time indicator on the Eiffel Tower website... and according to what's displayed there, delay your visit:
Green = less than 30 minutes
Orange = more than one hour
Red = forget about it 😉
Good to know: Lines are usually shorter early morning or in the evening, a good opportunity to visit the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the golden hour on the top of Paris.
Another nice alternative to pay a visit to the Eiffel Tower is to book a table in one of the Tower’s restaurants. The Jules Verne for an exclusive experience or the Madame Brasserie for a more affordable traditionnal French meal.
Yet, I do understand the disappointment for first timers when they can't visit the Eiffel Tower. Should you be in this situation, remember one thing: The Eiffel Tower IS the view!
In Paris, you'll have countless opportunities to admire our beautiful Iron Lady, be it while strolling along the Seine River or from a relaxing rooftop, by day or night... The night show, by the way, is like a fairy tale making your eyes sparkle just as much as the Tower herself!
To enjoy the Eiffel Tower by night, nothing better than taking some height with a rooftop, I may recommend:
Rooftop of the Galeries Lafayette on boulevard Haussmann (bonus: that one is free, and you'll get a perfect view over the Opéra Garnier on top of that)
The exclusive terrace of Notre Dame des Arts in Saint-Germain
Montparnasse Top of the City, the highest deck with a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower
And why not taste the French cuisine and dine face to face with Miss Eiffel?
For that perfect experience, head to one of these restaurants:
Les Ombres (here the tower is literally next to you)
Girafe in the Trocadéro (you may feel a bit like Emily here... fans will know what I'm talking about 😉)
6 New-York for a cozier atmosphere with the Tower accross the river.
You could also go for some off-the-beaten path adventure and visit the Parc des Buttes Chaumont - Weather permitting a picnic there is always a great moment and the golden hour will offer you special moments & great pics, almost making you forget about the missed visit to the Eiffel Tower.
Last but not least, you could go for world-famous sites where to admire the Iron Lady.
No need to introduce the Trocadéro right in front of the Tower across the Seine river. Yet, it's not a place I particularly like: it's so touristy that it's always packed and you'll be harassed by illegal vendors of small towers and alike.
No, if I had to recommend a famous spot with a great view over the French capital, the Tour Eiffel included, it would be the Sacré-Coeur... and my secret to beat the crowd? Take the 292 steps all the way up to the very top of its dome... The view up there will just blow your mind!
And why not go on with a walk around the Eiffel Tower to capture her beauty and get great pictures? Follow me, I'll show you the best spots here.
From Paris with love,
Nadège
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