Eiffel Tower Tours & Tickets

When France received the honor of hosting the Exposition Universelle, or "World's Fair" of 1889, they were determined to create a centerpiece like no other. The event would be a celebration of the centennial of the French Revolution, an important milestone for the people of France. The organizers launched a competition. Instructions were to "study the possibility of erecting an iron tower of the Champ-de-Mars with a square base, 125 meters across and 300 meters tall". A proposal headed by entrepreneur Gustave Eiffel won.

Engineers Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nougier masterminded the tower's design. They came up with the idea for a "great pylon" made up of four iron lattice girders that would stand in a square and join together at the top, inspired by the Latting Observatory in New York City. The tower would be 300 meters tall, or 1000 feet and like nothing France had ever seen before.

According to Eiffel, the tower would symbolize,

Not only the art of the modern engineer, but also the century of Industry and Science in which we are living, and for which the way was prepared by the great scientific movement of the eighteenth century and by the Revolution of 1789, to which this monument will be built as an expression of France's gratitude" - source Wikipedia

Architect Stephen Sauvestre added important decorative features to the tower. After some debate and misgivings by French officials about the practicality of Eiffel's tower, a contract was signed on the 8th of January 1887. The project broke ground on 28th January 1887.

1. Not everyone was thrilled with the prospect of the Eiffel Tower's construction. A group of 300 Parisian architects and artists joined forces to object to the tower on artistic grounds. This group was led by architect, Guy de Maupassant.
2. Guy de Maupassant was said to have eaten his lunch in the Eiffel Tower restaurant every day. According to Maupassant, he did this because the restaurant was the only place in Paris where the tower was no visible.
3. Gustave Eiffel was only issued a permit for the Eiffel Tower's construction for 20 years. The tower was originally supposed to be dismantled in 1909.
4. Of course, the Eiffel Tower was not dismantled after twenty years. The tower was useful for communications purposes and meteorological observations.
5. Gustave Eiffel was incredibly safety conscious. Although more than 300 on-site employees were involved in building the Eiffel Tower, only one person died during construction.
6. Before constructing the Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel had created the internal frame for the Statue of Liberty.
7. The Eiffel Tower weighs a total of 10,000 tons. The Eiffel Tower's iron latticework makes it strong yet lightweight.
8. The French know the Eiffel Tower as La Dame de Fer, "the Iron Lady".
9. While Gustave Eiffel insisted that his first invited guests climb all 1,710 steps to the tower's top, visitors today can only climb to the second platform. Two elevators take visitors to the third platform that is almost 900 feet in the air.
10. The Eiffel Tower is fitted with 5 billion lights. These lights illuminate the entire structure at night and shin for five minutes every hour, on the hour.
11. It cost 7,799,000 French francs to build the Eiffel Tower, the equivalent of &dollar:1.5 million.
12. The Eiffel tower was used for wireless telegraph communications during World War 1.
13. The still has more than 120 antennas installed at its top, transmitting radio and television throughout Paris.
14. The installation of elevators was the Eiffel Tower's piece de resistance. Each of the tower's two elevators travel more than 64,000 miles per year.
15. During the WW2 German occupation of Paris, the tower was closed to the public and Nazi soldiers attached a swastika to the tower's summit.

In January of 1887, a huge team of workers began preparing the foundations for the Eiffel Tower. In July, assembly of the supports began, a task that would take twenty-two months to complete. Metal-workers prepared every piece of the tower, 18,000 pieces in total, in Eiffel's factory, located on the outskirts of Paris. The project's drawing office produced 3,629 exact drawings of the parts needed, accurate to one-tenth of a millimeter. With a project of this scale and intricacy, there was next to no margin for error.

Between 150 and 300 workers used a total of 2.5 million rivets to put the 18,000 pieces of the tower together. By the 31st of March, the Eiffel Tower was almost complete. Eiffel took a group of illustrious guests, accompanied by the press, to the top of the tower to celebrate. Unfortunately, the lift wasn't yet completed and guests had to climb the 1,710-steps to the top.

The Eiffel Tower is synonymous with Paris, France. If you know one thing about Paris, you know that it's home to this iconic structure. But why is the Eiffel Tower so famous?

The Eiffel Tower was the centerpiece of the World's Fair of 1889. This is a significant accolade in itself. But the Eiffel Tower was also created to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution. A powerful example of architectural and engineering ingenuity, the tower was and remains a symbol of a Free France

The Eiffel Tower's star power was also due to its size. When completed, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world. The Chrysler Building in New York snatched this title in 1929. Today, the Eiffel Tower is still the tallest freestanding structure in France.

When architectural plans for the Eiffel Tower were first released, the Parisian public was astounded. Incredibly modern, the tower was the opposite of popular late-19th-century architecture that favored decorative Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque features.

The Eiffel Tower had no real purpose, other than offering the best view of Paris, and was made from iron, a material rarely used in architecture. The lightweight lattice design of the building, allowed engineers to create the Eiffel Tower's then-unrivaled height. The first platform of the tower is 190 feet above the ground. The second is 376 feet high and the third is 900 feet above the ground. There are 108 stories to the tower and you'd have to climb 1,710 steps to reach the top.

The Square
The Eiffel Tower's ground floor is referred to as "the Square". Each side of the square measures 125 meters and each leg of the tower is home to an entrance. There are also souvenir shops and food stalls located in the square.

First Floor
You can use an elevator or the stairs to reach the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. The tower is 57 meters above the ground and if you chose to walk, bear in mind you'll have to climb 328 steps. The floor of this level is transparent, offering incredible views of the hustle and bustle of the Square beneath. You will also find restaurants on the first floor although if you intend to eat here it's best to do so on the way down. Elevator lines can be long so it's best to go right to the top then work your way back down.

Second Floor
This floor is 115 meters above ground level and home to an observation deck that offers stunning views of Paris. Michel-star restaurant La Jules Verne is located on the second floor but there is a snack bar too.

Summit level
The Eiffel Tower's summit is 276 meters above ground. A glass-walled elevator will take you the entire way or the rest of the way from the first floor. Here you will find a reconstruction of Gustave Eiffel's apartment, a champagne bar and the best view of Paris money can buy.

Restaurants

When the Eiffel tower first opened in 1889, it had four wooden pavilions on the first floor with restaurants that could seat 500 people. The restaurants were the Trocadero, a restaurants serving Alsation cuisine, a Russian restaurant and Brebant, a chic French eatery. The fourth pavilion was taken up by an Anglo-American bar.

Today, the Eiffel tower has two restaurants, two bars and a number of buffet stalls:

• On the tower's first floor, you will find 58 TOUR EIFFEL. A contemporary bistro, 58 TOUR EIFFEL is currently working with chef Thierry Marx on a new concept to be launched in 2020.
• The Jules Verne restaurant is a Paris icon, located on the tower's second floor. Led by triple Michelin-starred chef Frederic Anton, the restaurant has recently re-launched with a new look and menu for spring 2019.
• Also on the second floor is a macaroon bar, a nice spot where you can sit in or take away.
• At the top of the tower is a champagne bar that allows you to take in the best view of Paris with a glass of bubbly in hand.
• Buffet stalls are located on the esplanade, first and second floors, offering tasty snacks to fuel your visit.

Shops

There are shops located on every floor of the Eiffel Tower. Each shop has its own theme and sell items such as fabrics, food and drink, homewares and more.

Other Attractions

Gustave Eiffel included an apartment for himself in the original design for the Eiffel Tower. Eiffel entertained important guests in his apartments and conducted various meteorological and scientific experiments. That apartment has been preserved with period decorations and can be visited by the public. Educational tours of the tower reveal more about Eiffel and his work.

The Eiffel Tower is 324 meters (1,063 feet) tall. This includes the antenna at the top. Without the antenna, the tower is exactly 300 meters (984 feet) tall. At the time it was built, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world. But not anymore. Here's how the Eiffel Tower matches up to some of the world's other tallest structures:

• The Burj Khalifa Skyscraper remains the world's largest structure. Built in 2010, the tower is 829.8 meters tall (2,722 feet).
• The CN Tower in Toronto, Canada was built in 1976. It is 553.3 meters tall (1,815.4 feet).
• The Taipei 101 was the tallest skyscraper in the world until the Burj Khalifa took over. It was built in 2004 and is 509.2 meters (1,671 feet) tall.
• Located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Petronas Towers were built in 1998 and are 452 meters (1,483 feet) tall.
• New York's Empire State Building, built way back in 1931, is 449 meters (1,474 feet) tall.

As the Eiffel Tower is made from iron, it is affected by the temperature of the environment. The heat of the sun has an interesting effect on the tower. On a sunny day, the sun-facing side of the tower can become so hot that expansion causes the top of the tower to move as much as 18 centimeters (7 inches). Expansion caused by the heat of the sun can also make the tower grow by as much as 6 inches.

Windy conditions also affect the Eiffel Tower. The tower can sway by as much as 9 centimeters in very windy conditions but don't worry, the engineers expected this.

Eiffel Tower Opening Hours

The Eiffel Tower is open 365 days per year but opening times vary.

Dates	By Lift	By Stairs (704 stairs to first floor)
	21st of June to 2nd of September
21st of June to 2nd of September	9:00 - 0:45 Last entry midnight (11pm for the top)	9:00 - 0:45 Last entry midnight
	Rest of the Year
Rest of the Year	9:30 - 23:45 Last entry 11pm. (10.30pm for the top)	9:30 - 18:30 Last entry 6pm

Best Time to Visit the Eiffel Tower

As with any tourist attraction that receives visits from thousands of tourists every day, it's best to visit during quiet periods. From November to March, line ups usually last around 30 minutes compared to an average 2 hour wait between June and September.

The busiest time to visit the tower is between 11am and 5pm. If you can, try to visit before 11am or after 8pm for a more relaxed experience. An evening trip to the Eiffel Tower can be particularly magical as you get to see not only the tower but Paris itself lit by a million tiny lights.

Taking Great Photos at the Eiffel Tower

It's difficult to get a good photo or selfie with hundreds of other tourists in the frame. Visit during off-peak times to ensure you can carve out your own quiet spot. If you intend to go to the summit, it's a good idea to take the elevator all the way to the top as soon as you arrive. That way, you can stay as long as possible to get the perfect shot. Elevators are glass-walled to get your camera video recorder ready before you get on. Be sure to spend time on the second floor too as this area offers some of the best views. Also consider eating in 58 restaurant as a window seat will give you lots of time to get some great shots of yourself enjoying the view.

You can buy tickets for special sunrise and sunset tours through a number of tour operators. See more here.

Ticket prices for the Eiffel Tower differ depending on what kind of experience you want. Prices changed in January of 2019. These are the new prices.

Ticket Type	Adult	Youth (12-24 years old)	Child (4-11 years old)	Under 4
	Ticket with access lift - Second floor
Ticket with access lift - Second floor	16.30 euros	8.10 euros	4.10 euros	Free
	Ticket with access stairs - Second floor
Ticket with access stairs - Second floor	16.30 euros	8.10 euros	4.10 euros	Free
	Ticket with access lift - The top
Ticket with access lift - The top	25.50 euros	12.70 euros	6.40 euros	Free
	Ticket with access stairs 2nd floor + lift - The top
Ticket with access stairs 2nd floor + lift - The top	19.40 euros	9.70 euros	4.90 euros	Free

Tickets purchased from the Eiffel Tower website may help you skip the line-up at ticket booths but they can only be booked for a specific time and date. As the weather in Paris can change rapidly, especially during winter months, you may not want to do this so you can rearrange your visit if the fog rolls in or it starts to rain.

For stair access only to the second floor, or stair access to second floor and lift access to the top, you must buy your tickets in person. Many people recommend taking the stairs if you're able. That way you can arrive whenever you like. Avoid ground floor elevator line-up and stop whenever you like on the staircase to enjoy the views.

The right ticket for you depends on what you want from your visit. Those travelling with children, people with disabilities and those with little time to spare will be best off pre-booking a second floor ticket. If you have lots of time and are fit and able, climb the stairs to the first or second floor then purchase a ticket for the summit via elevator from the quieter ticket booth there.
Where Exactly is the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower's address is as follows: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France. The tower is located in the 7th arrondissement, in the heart of northern Paris.

• It's easy to take the Parisian metro to the Eiffel tower. You can use a number of lines:
• Line 9 runs from Pont de Sévres to Mairie de Montreuil. Disembark at Trocadéro.
• Line 6 runs from Nation to Charles de Gaulle Etoile. Disembark at Bir-Hakeim
• And Line 8 runs from Balard - Créteil. Disembark at Ecole Militaire
• You can also take the following buses:
• Bus 82. Disembark at "tour Eiffel"
• Bus 42. Disembark at "tour Eiffel"
• Bus 87. Disembark at "Champ de Mars"�
• Bus 69. Disembark at "Champ de Mars"
• You can also take the RER from Line C to the Eiffel Tower.

How to Get to the Eiffel Tower by Car

There are several car parks located around the Eiffel Tower. However, it is recommended to take public transport if you can to allow disabled drivers to use the spaces available. See a list of nearby parking spaces here.

If you're traveling with children or you or any of your party is disabled, these tips will help you get the most from your visit to the Eiffel Tower.

1. Unfortunately, the Eiffel Tower was not built with access for people with disabilities in mind. Today, wheelchair users and anyone who cannot climb stairs independently cannot go past the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower. This is because it would be impossible to evacuate such visitors in an emergency.
2. The Eiffel Tower does have large capacity list cabins for wheelchair users; access toilets on the ground, first and second floors and one-level access to the tower's ground floor.
3. Audio induction loops are fitted at ticket offices for visitors with reduced hearing.
4. All visitors are required to go through security controls to enter the Eiffel Tower. If you have a pacemaker or carry any kind of medical kit (such as a diabetic kit), please alert security staff.
5. For families, the first floor of the Eiffel Tower houses a children's play area and terrace with entertainment.
6. For anyone with kids who refuse to leave their scooters or skates at home, it's worth knowing that "rolling objects" are prohibited at the Eiffel Tower. This includes skateboards, in-line skates, roller skates, scooters, and quads but does not apply to pushchairs and wheelchairs.
7. Baby-changing facilities are located on all floors of the Eiffel Tower, excluding the summit.

The Eiffel Tower is located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris and is surrounding by other landmarks and sightseeing areas. Simply grab a Paris tourist map and plan a route!

Here are a few places to visit nearby:

• Trocadero Gardens

Located in the 16th arondissement of Paris, Trocadero Gardens are considered some of the most beautiful in Paris.

• River Seine Cruise

Many cruise operators offer mini-tours up and down the famous River Seine. Cruises are available from one hour to three and some include lunch or dinner and cabaret.

• Les Invalides

Les invalides is huge complex of museums and monuments located in the 7th arondissement of Paris. The site was originally a hospital and retirement home for war veterans but is now dedicated to France's military history.

• Musee Rodin

Dedicated to famous French sculptor Auguste Rodin, the Musee Rodin is housed in a gorgeous old mansion on the rue de Varenne.

Some of these attractions are free and Paris has much more to offer budget travelers. There are many other free things to do in Paris including a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Museum of Modern Art and the Puces de St-Ouen Market. Paris is a great city for night owls too. There is always something fun to do in Paris at night.

While tickets for the Eiffel Tower come at one standard cost whether you purchase them online or in person, you can save money by taking a tour, buying multiple attraction tickets from one seller. There are four different Paris Passes available, offering discount on attraction tickets and public transport. However, none of these tickets include a visit to the Eiffel Tower.

You can also combine your visit to the Eiffel Tower with a visit to the Palace of Versailles or a River Seine cruise and save money that way. See this handy guide to the best Eiffel Tower tours and tickets for the best deals on combined attraction tickets.