Who can miss the Eiffel Tower?

I could not have any post on the main symbol of Paris. The Eiffel Tower is definitely the most famous monument of Paris if not of the whole country. With about 7 million visitors every year, the tower is the most visited monument in the world. What I find so amazing about this structure is that it was up already in 1889, and is still so impressive. Back in 1887, the project of a revolutionary tower designed by the Gustave Eiffel, already responsible at the time for the metallic structure of The Statue of Liberty, was selected out of 700 other projects to celebrate the French scientific and technical achievements at the World Exposition in Paris in 1889. The Eiffel Tower was of course the main attraction of the event even though many people at the time were not charmed at all and even asked for a rapid demolition of the tower. Thankfully, because the tower offered a unique structure for research purposes, it was kept through the 20th century. Now the population of Paris is very proud of it and would get very upset if anyone argues with them about the reason of having such a monument in the middle of their city. Until 1930, the 318 meters’ high tower was the tallest metallic building in the world.

The tower has 3 floors that anyone can visit. There is two possibilities to access the 1st and 2nd floor. One is to wait 1 to 3 hours to get a ticket for the elevator; the other one is to take the stairs which does not require any waiting lines for obvious reasons (363 stairs to reach the 1st floor and another 340 to go to the 2nd floor). However, climbing the tower has a certain charm. Now, the website of The Eiffel Tower is giving the possibility to buy tickets online reducing the waiting time the day of your visit. The use of this online booking is HIGHLY recommended but you won’t bypass the line at the 2nd floor where changing lifts is required to reach the 3rd floor. Don’t hesitate to take your ticket to the top though to experience the use of the original lift that take you to the top along a very narrow corridor of metal. Pretty impressive!

Another way to avoid long lines is to book a table at the Michelin-starred restaurant “Le Jules Verne” on the 2nd floor which has a private elevator from the South pillar. The restaurant is pricy and reservations need to be made long time in advance but it is a unique experience and can be included within special tours together with a cruise on the Seine. Reservations are easier for lunch (much cheaper too) than for diner.

There is another restaurant on the 1st floor, the 58 Tour Eiffel which does not have a private access; you will have to pay for the elevator as for a regular visit.

• Per adult the entrance fee to the 1st and 2nd floor is 8.10 euro (6.50 euro for 12-24 y.o. and 4 euro for 4-11 y.o. and handicapped) and to the 3rd floor is 13.10 euro (11.50 euro for 12-24 y.o. and 9 euro for 4-11 y.o. and handicapped).
• The Paris museum pass does not give you free access to the Eiffel Tower