Its design was contested by Parisians, it was built for the Exposition in 1889 and was to be dismantled 20 years after its inauguration. Today it is the symbol of Paris and France in the world: c'est la Tour Eiffel, one of the city's most important attractions.
Who, as soon as he sets foot in Paris, does not run under the tower to take a picture?
One is truly breathless in front of this splendid work of art, especially at night, when it shines with its lights.
Here, then, is all the advice and information you need to prepare well for your visit to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Times and prices
If you visit Paris, you must 'climb' the Eiffel Tower, either on foot or by lift: on the way to the coveted summit, you will find souvenir shops, bars and restaurants.
Hours: 15 June to 1 September 9:00am-00:45am, with last access at midnight (stairs and lift). For the rest of the year 9:30-23:45 (last access 23:00) by lift; 9:30-18:30 (last access 18:00) by stairs.
Costs: €16.00 for the 2nd floor and €25.00 for the summit (lift); €10.00 for the 2nd floor (stairs) and €19.00 for the summit (stairs + lift).
Reductions: Young people 12-24 years: 2nd floor stairs €5.00, 2nd floor lift €8.00, top stairs €9.50, top lift €12.50. Disabled persons and children aged 4-11: 2nd floor stairs €2.50, 2nd floor lift €4.00, top of stairs €4.80, top of lift €6.30.
Free admission: children under 4
Online tickets and guided tours
Where it is and how to get there
The Eiffel Tower is located on the rive gauche of the Seine and is 2 to 6 km from the city's other major attractions. It is romantic to walk to it from a distance, but there are several (and quicker) ways to get there:
On foot: Get directions
By RER (city rail): line C, Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel
By Metro: Trocadéro station, line 9 (14-minute walk); Bir-Hakeim station, line 6 (10-minute walk) and École Militaire station, line 8 (14-minute walk)
By bus: lines 82, 42, 69, 87 and 72
What to see and how to visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Due to the large number of visitors, we recommend that you purchase priority entry with access to the top to avoid queuing at the ticket offices! If you' re interested in learning more about its history and architecture, we recommend taking part in a guided tour with access to the top instead!
Access to the basement is free of charge, but subject to security checks. To prevent terrorist attacks, the tower has been fenced off with high Plexiglas bulkheads and equipped with four access points with metal detectors and bag checks. The Eiffel Tower has three floors, each with a belvedere:
First floor: offers the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant and the 8-screen Cineiffel cinema that tells the story of the structure. It has a glass-floored area that allows you to admire the basement from above and walk 'suspended' 57.63 m above ground
Second floor: at 115 m, it offers you the luxurious Jules Verne restaurant, which also has its own dedicated lift, as well as a bar and a souvenir shop.
Top floor: at a height of 276 m, you will be obliged to take the lift up. The tip of the Eiffel Tower wobbles under the force of the wind but don't worry, it was designed that way precisely to avoid structural failure.
Useful tips for visiting the attraction
Get up early: Ideally you should get to the Eiffel Tower at opening time or two hours before sunset to avoid peak hours.
City Card: the Paris City Pass saves you time and money as it includes access to 60 museums and attractions as well as the metro, bus and railways. Adding the Eiffel Tower also saves time in queues.
Priority ticket: endless queues can be avoided with priority access. Buying your ticket online is particularly recommended.
Beware of restrictions: luggage and animals are not allowed, except guide dogs for the blind. Disabled persons with mobility problems can access up to the 1st and 2nd floors by lift.
Minimum time: the visit takes 2-3 hours, plus about 20 minutes in line to get to the top.
Bring a jacket: it is very windy at the top and it is useful to cover up a little!
History, trivia and practical info: what to know in brief
Built for the 1889 Expo and initially intended to be demolished shortly afterwards, the Eiffel Tower has become the symbol of Paris and the whole of France. A work of engineering known throughout the world, it is located in the heart of the city on the Left Bank of the Seine and welcomes millions of visitors every year.
The project was the brainchild of two engineers employed by Gustav Eiffel, who is credited with promoting its realisation.
A couple of curiosities: the tower is repainted every five years with as much as 50 tonnes of paint! The top undergoes 'climatic changes': with the wind, the tip swings up to 12 cm, while with the heat of the sun, it lengthens by about 18 cm.