Eiffel Tower visitor guide

Visit Eiffel Tower, Paris

The Eiffel Tower in Paris is one of the most recognizable structures in the world, and one of the most important symbols of France, both inside the country and abroad.

The tower is the tallest structure in Paris, standing at 330 meters, and is also one of the city’s most visited landmarks (although it has been said that few Parisians actually visit the Eiffel Tower). It was originally built as a temporary structure that was to be torn down after 20 years, but survived criticism and demolition to become the icon it is today.

France This Way review: no review needed - anyone who visits Paris will want to see the Eiffel Tower even if only to admire it from below!

Design and building of the Eiffel Tower

Designed by its namesake, the engineer Gustave Eiffel, the plans for the tower were among 700 proposals for an entrance arch to be built for the 1889 World’s Fair, which also commemorated the centenary of the French Revolution.

The design for the Eiffel tower had been previously proposed to, and rejected by, a similar competition in Barcelona.

Eiffel Tower seen from below

Construction took roughly two years, and the tower was completed and inaugurated in March of 1889, and opened in May of the same year. Until 1930 when the Chrysler Building was built in New York City the Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world.

Structurally it is just a frame, with eighteen thousand pieces of iron held together by two and a half million rivets. But the design was calculated and deliberate, and took into consideration the tower’s great height, as well as wind resistance. In a remarkable feat, all the pieces of iron were pre-cut and the rivets put in place before construction of the tower even began

The original permit for the tower was only for it to be kept for 20 years and it was due to be torn down in 1909.

However, the dawn of the radio age changed its course in history. At the turn of the century, the tower became the perfect transmitter for radio signals and long range communication and it was from here in 1913 that the United States and France conducted a joint experiment to send radiowaves between Paris and Washington DC.

Significant moments in the Eiffel Tower’s history include being hit by lightning in 1902, used as a billboard for Citroen from 1925 to 1934, and being sold as scrap metal by a con artist in 1925 – twice!

On average the tower is repainted each seven years. In an exhibition below the Eiffel Tower you can see all the colours that have been used to paint the tower since its first construction. Several of these are much more colourful that the rather drab colours used in recent years, especially the red paint (Venice Rouge) that was used for the first two years, from 1887-1889.

There is also a quote from Gustave Eiffel, explaining that the quality of the paintwork is critical to the long life of the construction, and the design of the Eiffel Tower ensures that all parts of the metal used can be easily examined, checked for damage and repainted as necessary.

Is the Eiffel Tower beautiful?

The Eiffel Tower initially drew the ire of Parisians. Its frame design was considered by many to be ugly, harsh, and generally an eyesore. Many of the Parisian artistic elite of the time, including Charles Garnier (architect of the Paris Opera) and Alexandre Dumas, objected vigorously to the design.

Different stories relate that Guy de Maupassant promptly left Paris so he never had to look at it again, or that he insisted on eating in the restaurant in the tower because it was the only place in the city where he didn't have to look at the tower.

Even today opinions are mixed, and while the tower has a certain beauty it does, at least from some angles, look rather like an enormous pylon. Still, no one is going to propose that it be demolished and it is such an icon of Paris that visitors will want to visit to decide for themselves. Interesting rather than beautiful perhaps.

Visit the Eiffel Tower

As a tourist attraction the tower attracts an average of 20,000 visitors a day, who have access to all three of the main levels, with the highest reaching 902 feet (275 meters). Hidden away near the top of the Eiffel Tower is a small apartment that Gustave Eiffel had made for himself when the tower was constructed.

The Tower has had around 300 million visitors so far, and around seven million each year, which must certainly make it the most visited and highest earning steel pylon in the world!

If possible we suggest you visit the tower on a very clear day, and about an hour before sunset.

The area below the tower, like the area in front of the Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris, is always busy and one of the main centres of tourist activity in Paris. Although you need to pass through security to reach the area around the base of the Eiffel Tower, there is no charge for this: you only pay to actually ascend the tower.

historic colours used for the Eiffel Tower

Various options and prices are available to visitors depending on whether you want to go the highest 3rd level or only go as far as the second level, and whether you want to walk up to the second level from the ground or take the lift.

The walkway is less steep than you would expect because it zig-zags back and forth within the legs of the tower. Access from the 2nd level to the 3rd level is by lift only. Queues are involved at most stages of the process!

The Eiffel Tower is open until late in the evening so you can see across Paris by night, and is also brightly lit for a few minutes each hour and on the hour after sunset, with hundreds of flashing lights. This is a very popular sight from the Place du Trocadero and attracts large crowds every day.

You should be aware that numerous scammers can be found around the base of the Eiffel Tower, as well as pickpockets. So pay attention to your belongings, don't sign forms saying you support any charities (a way to then tr to force you to pay money) and generally stay alert!

Eiffel Tower restaurants

There are several options if you want to enjoy a meal or drink with spectacular views, or just prolong your visit to the Eiffel Tower.

On the first floor of the tower there is a restaurant called Madame Brasserie, which is open for meals all day from 10.00 onwards.
On the second floor the restaurant is called Le Jules Verne and has been awarded two Michelin stars. Amazing views and remarkable food, but don't expect a budget experience.
On the Third Floor there is a champagne bar, so you can enjoy the romantic views with a glass of champagne in your hand.

Attractions nearby

You can see the Eiffel Tower from many places in Paris, and searching out these viewpoints is as enjoyable as a visit to the tower. The best views include those from the other side of the Seine just north of the tower, and from the terrace in front of the nearby Trocadero Centre, and there are several streets around the monument where you can see the tower just behind the grand Haussmann buildings for which the city is known.

You can find more travel ideas in the Paris region guide.

To make travel arrangements to visit Eiffel Tower see HERE