Last updated on June 19th, 2021 at 04:31 am
Eiffel Tower is certainly the icon of Paris and one of the most visited sites in the world. And if you are visiting Eiffel Tower for the first time, you would certainly love to experience it to its full potential.
It can never happen that you visited Paris but saw the Eiffel Tower only from outside or vantage points. Experiencing the tower requires a bit of pre-planning and in this guide, you can find everything you need to know to make your first-time visit to Eiffel Tower memorable.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you click on one and make a purchase.
About The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower in Paris built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 is a national heritage of France. This 324 metres tall wrought-iron lattice structure truly has a celeb status and is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world.
One of the reasons why the Eiffel Tower is so famous is that it boasts of a daringly modern design that was way ahead of its time. After 130 years of its construction, it remains one of the most iconic landmarks in the world.
Today, it is also considered as the symbol of love owing to a large number of marriage proposals being made with the ‘Iron lady’ as the witness and is a hot favorite amongst couples.
And the best part is, the experiences on offer at Eiffel Tower are ever evolving from glass floors to the finest restaurants.
Read More : Paris Bucket List – 30 Things To Do In Paris
Tips To Plan For Visiting Eiffel Tower For The First Time
Everyone who visits Paris visit Eiffel Tower. You need to plan your visit well and in advance to get inside the Tower and make the most of it.
1. Tickets for Eiffel Tower
It is highly recommended you buy your tickets for the Eiffel tower online and plan your day. That way you can skip the line and save a lot of time. The official Tour Eiffel site has very clear instructions about various ticket options.
Eiffel Tower has three floors – The first floor, second floor, and the top floor (Summit). If it is your first time in Paris with your family, it is advisable to visit all three floors for a complete experience. The prices depend on whether you are opting for Stairs or an Elevator.
Stairs are available till the 2nd floor and after that, you need to take the elevator to the top.
Now here’s the catch.
Taking stairs is a cheaper option but ascending 674 steps till the second floor is no mean feat especially if you are visiting Paris with kids and have other places to go to during the day. So, in the most likely situation, you will be selecting “Lift entrance ticket with access to the Summit.” as the option from the Tour Eiffel site.
For us, we were clear that we will visit the top floor and take the elevator only, and that way we saved a lot of time and toil.
But, what to do if online Eiffel Tower tickets are sold out?
Eiffel Tower tickets get booked at least 2 months before the date of booking. Hence keep a close eye on the Tour Eiffel site. However, in the scenario e-tickets are sold out, a guided tour is the only option.
2. Eiffel Tower Opening Hours
The Eiffel Tower is open 365 days . However, in today’s exceptional situation the Tower is currently closed. It is set to reopen on 16th July 2021! The revised opening hours will be available from the Tour Eiffel site.
Mid-July to August
9:30 AM – 22:30 PM.
The Tower will close at 11:45 PM
Rest of the Year
The schedule for the rest of the year is yet to be announced by the authorities.
3. How to reach Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower is located in 7th arrondissement of Paris. It is easily accessible from all parts of the city via public transport system.
Metro: Lines 6 and 9. Exit at Trocadero station for an amazing Eiffel Tower view before walking down to the tower across the Seine.
RER C Train: Get off at the Champs de Mars station.
Bus: 42, 69, 82, and 87.
How To See All The Floors While Visiting Eiffel Tower For The First Time
1. The top floor or the Summit, 276 meters (905 feet)
If you arrive during Opening Hours, take the elevator to the top right away and work your way back down. The Summit is usually not crowded during initial hours. Hence, leverage that window.
For accessing the top floor, take the elevator to the 2nd floor and then opt for the next elevator to the top floor. You can come back to the 2nd floor later.
Ensure to video-record your elevator ascent experience!
Once you are at the summit, be ready for a breathtaking view of Paris city. It does ushers in a myriad of emotions. After all, you are at the top of the Eiffel Tower! There are quite a few things you can do at the summit other than the majestic view. Check out the secret chamber of Gustave Eiffel which has realistic wax statues representing the bygone time. And also take a photo with your kid and loved one at the ‘Place to Kiss’. Place to Kiss is small pink board tucked in a corner at the top floor and serves as a photo background for Top of the Eiffel Tower moment!
2. The second floor
Take the elevator now to come down to the second floor. Usually there is a wait time for the elevator. So, be patient.
This floor promises to provide yet another spectacular view of Paris if not better! This floor does not have a mesh all around, and the observation deck is stunning providing a clearer view of the city. The second floor has a gift shop, buffets, and the prestigious Jules Verne restaurant.
3. The first floor
Your next stop is the first floor. Once again, take the elevator from second to first floor.
As you walk through the first floor, you will discover an array of things on offer – a vertigo-inducing glass floor where you can sit and take photos, a museum, a spiral staircase section, a sprawling terrace, and many more.
By this time, you might be a bit tired. Hence, move on to the terrace section and grab a seat.
There are several snack counters available around. While you settle down with your food and coffee, be ready to observe and admire the intricate engineering of the Tower with the pillars on four sides. This open-air seating arrangement does provide you with some awesome insights into the scale of the construction.
Experience for kids while visiting Eiffel Tower first time
First of all, prepare your kids for visiting the Eiffel Tower. Arouse their curiosity by telling them various facts and figures and including them in your trip planning.
There are several kid-friendly activities in Eiffel Tower.
A free tour for kids on the first floor helped by two characters Tom and Elia will introduce the young minds to various information and history about the tower. Ensure to download and print the visit materials in advance for this interactive fun activity.
Just ensure you do not lose sight of them as the Eiffel tower gets crowded.
Dining at Eiffel Tower
There are several dining options in the Eiffel tower to satiate your taste buds while also offering you some unique sights and experiences. Some of them are super-affordable and some are on the pricier side. Choose according to your priorities and plan of the day.
The 2nd floor of Eiffel Tower has the prestigious Michelin star Le Jules Verne restaurant offering multi-course French cuisine. You need to book in advance and be there in proper attire. There is a separate electric elevator for diners at this restaurant. This place is really expensive!
For those with a sweet tooth can indulge in those heavenly macarons at the Macaroon Bar.
58 Tour Eiffel (closed for renovation till 2021) on the 1st floor is a brasserie offering all day meals from breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. This place is pricey too but much lesser than Le Jules Verne restaurant! Go for it if you fancy.
The Esplanade, first and second floors have buffets for a quick grab.
The top floor has a champagne bar which also serves non-alcoholic drink, a good option when you have your family with you.
Read more : 11 Must-Try food In Paris
Shopping at Eiffel Tower
The gift shops in Eiffel Tower can be found in the Esplanade, the first floor and the second floor. They have an array of souvenirs on offer from miniature Eiffel Tower replicas to perfumes and ‘Made in France’ products. We picked a few souvenirs from here.
Best Eiffel tower views and photo opportunities
Now that you have experienced Eiffel Tower across all its levels, it is time to admire the beauty from other places in Paris.
The 2013 Bollywood blockbuster movie ‘Queen’ had captured the spirit of Paris quite vividly. There’s a scene in the movie where the protagonist travels to Paris and was on a city exploration spree. She always wished to visit Paris with her fiancée but unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and she traveled alone. A scene shows how she is trying to navigate the city with a map in hand and wherever she looks has a view of the Eiffel Tower.
That’s how viewing Eiffel Tower is captured in popular culture and is something we can relate to.
Several locations in Paris offer some of the iconic views of the Eiffel Tower and unique photo moments you might want to bring back as memories.
1. From Place du Trocadéro
Place du Trocadéro is an open space with several fountains along a long basin and provides probably the best view of the Eiffel Tower. If you are visiting Paris for the first time, this view of the Eiffel Tower is something you are going to cherish for years to come. Ands it’s free!
It can be easily accessed by taking the Metro line 6 or 9 and exiting at the Trocadero stop. As soon as you get to the top of the stairs to exit the Metro station, this view awaits you.
2. From the base of the Eiffel Tower
This is a no-brainer. One of the best views of the Eiffel Tower is while you are at the base of the Tower. Take a selfie with your family with the Tower in the background and make it a moment to remember.
3. On Seine Cruise
A trip to Paris is incomplete without a cruise on the river Seine. Explore the city along its waterway as you cross some of the most notable Paris Landmarks. The usual 60-min cruises offer some of the spectacular views of Paris and certainly the Eiffel Tower.
There is an array of Seine Cruise on offer and you can check for Seine Cruise options from the Bateaux Parisiens website.
Pro Tip : If you are starting the trip from the base of the Eiffel Tower, then you have a great photo opportunity to have the tower on your background while you gorge on some tidbits while waiting for your turn.
4. From Tour Montparnasse Tower
The tallest skyscraper in Paris is the Montparnasse Tower. Its observation deck on the 59th floor provides a panoramic 360-degree view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in it.
Cost :
Adults – 15 Euros
Young people (12 to 18) – 8 Euros
Child (4 to 11) – 7.5 Euros.
You can book your tickets online for Montparnasse Tower. Note that the elevator access is till the 56th floor and after that, you will need to ascend the stairs to the 59th floor to the observation deck.
5. Carousel of the Eiffel Tower
Paris is full of carousels intended to keep the kids entertained. There’s a carousel right below the Eiffel Tower. It provides the perfect photo opportunity when the Eiffel Tower is lit up at night.
6. From Arc De Triomphe
The iconic Arc De Triomphe monument commissioned by Napoleon to represent various victories of the French army is also known for providing great views of the Eiffel Tower along with the entire Paris city. You will need to ascend 284 steps to the observation deck for this wonder.
Arc De Triomphe tickets can be bought online.
Read more : 10 Things To Do In Montmartre
Interesting facts about Eiffel Tower
And here are some trivia about Eiffel Tower:
- The French have a nickname for the tower: La Dame de Fer, “the Iron Lady.”
- . The then artists led by authors like Alexandre Dumas and Guy de Maupassant protested the erection of the tower calling it ‘useless and monstrous’ and a blow to Paris’s pristine beauty.
- Thomas Edison was one of the invitees of Gustave Eiffel at his secret chamber on the top floor.
- The tower received its 200,000,000th guest on 28 November 2002.
- It was originally planned to be dismantled after 20 years of construction.
- The tower has been used for making radio transmissions since the beginning of the 20th century.
- The tower was always a favorite amongst filmmakers. 1985’s James Bond film ‘A view to Kill’ had scenes shot in the tower or the more recent ‘Tomorrowland’ have its actors travel to the tower for accessing an inter-dimensional travel capsule.
Frequently Asked Questions On Visiting Eiffel Tower For The First Time
Sadly no! Good travel experiences rarely come as freebies and certainly not the Eiffel Tower 1st Floor. The ticket options available starts with second floor which obviously includes first floor as well.
Eiffel Tower is gorgeous from day till night. But for the optimum experience, the best time to visit Eiffel Tower is during the opening hours in the morning and after sunset for a spectacular view from the twinkling tower. The early morning visit will ensure there’s less crowd around and certainly great views.
Yes, very much. Please do yourself a favor by booking tickets beforehand and skip-the-line. Alternatively, you can go for guided tours to visit the tower. They include skip-the-line facility.
Photographing Eiffel Tower at night is not illegal at all. However, professional uses of the images are copyrighted and require prior authorization. Check the full response at the official Tour Eiffel site.
If you didn’t manage to get an e-ticket or are not of a DIY sort of traveler, then a guided tour is the only option. You might want to choose a guided tour to club it with other sightseeing activities in Paris. Choice is your.
It depends on which restaurant you are opting for. Jules Verne restaurant’s price range starts from $200, 58 Tour Eiffel stands at $50 onwards while the buffets available for quick grab are much cheaper and affordable.
Closing Thoughts On Visiting Eiffel Tower For The First Time
That’s a wrap. Hope this post will help you experience Eiffel Tower in its full glory. Let me know about your experience too!
