When you say Paris, everyone immediately thinks of its main landmark, the Eiffel Tower. Built in 1889 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Great French Revolution and the World's Fair held in the year of its completion, it is named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel.
It was originally to be demolished after 20 years, but its importance as a weather station, radio and television transmitter remained, which at first displeased even the Parisians themselves. Today, however, it is one of the most important and most visited tourist destinations in Paris.
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How tall is the Eiffel Tower?
Theheight of the Eiffel Tower, including the antenna, is 324 metres and until 1930 it was the tallest building in the world.
The height without the antenna (i.e. the height of the roof above ground level) is exactly 300.65 metres. Today, it is still the tallest building in France.
The highest point that the average tourist can reach is the observation platform called "The Top" at 275 metres. The second platform is at 115 metres and the first at 57 metres.
How to get up - stairs or elevator?
You can take the elevator or walk to the first two floors, and only take the elevator to the top (but you can only go from the second floor). The more stairs you take, the less you wait and the less you pay. Waiting times for the elevator range from 30 to 90 minutes in the summer.
The tower is divided into 3 floors.
On the 1st floor there is the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant, as well as a café, a cafeteria and a cinema showing the history of the building. There is also a popular glass floor on the 1st floor. You can get here by taking one of the 3 lifts or the staircases located at the foot of the tower. There are 345 steps from the ground floor to the 1st floor.
On the 2nd floor is the restaurant Le Jules Verne, but more people come here for the views of the city. Its height is 115 metres above the ground and there are lifts from the 1st floor or you can take the staircase up. From the 1st to the 2nd floor, you climb another 359 steps.
The 3rd floor is the highest at 275 meters above the ground and can only be reached by elevator. The highest floor is often referred to as "The Top". From here you can get the best view of the whole city and the surrounding area. You will also find a small Champagne bar.
Admission and where to buy tickets
Admission fees are divided by floor and method of ascent.
Prices range from 10 eur for the 2nd floor with stairs to 26 eur for an elevator ride to all floors including the top of the tower. Free admission is only for children under 4, with discounts for children under 11 and teens under 24. There are no discounts for senior citizens.
Tickets are not time-limited and you can stay as long as you like on the tower. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office directly under the tower, but there are long queues (up to several hours in summer).
We recommend buying tickets online at the official website: tickets.toureiffel.paris/en.
You will avoid at least one queue and you will only have to wait for the lift. The downside of online tickets is that they are bought for a specific time and that they can sell out.
Ideally, you should buy tickets online up to a month before you plan to go. If online tickets are sold out for the date and time you want, it doesn't mean you won't be able to get to the tower. You'll just have to stand in a long line and buy tickets at the door.
The Top (top floor)
From the top floor, you'll have views of the widest surroundings. You cannot climb the stairs from the ground to the top floor. There is only an emergency staircase between the 2nd floor and the top floor.
| Adults | Juveniles 12-24 years | Children 4-11 years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stairs to the 2nd floor (704 steps) Take the lift from the 2nd floor up |
22,40 eur | 11,20 eur | 5,70 eur |
| Elevator all the way | 29,40 eur | 14,70 eur | 7,40 eur |
2nd floor only
From the 2nd floor you can already see a 360° view of the whole of Paris, and some even say it's the best view from 115 metres up, because unlike the top floor, you can also enjoy various details you can't see from the top.
| Adults | Teenagers 12-24 years old | Children 4-11 years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stairs (704 steps) | 11,80 eur | 5,90 eur | 3 eur |
| Elevator all the way | 18,80 eur | 9,40 eur | 4,70 eur |
If you decide to make an unplanned visit to the top floor in addition, tickets can be purchased directly on the 2nd floor.
1st floor only
Separate tickets cannot be purchased for the 1st floor, if you only want to visit the 1st floor, you must have a reservation at the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant.
If you have tickets for the 2nd floor or the top floor (The Top), you can also stop by the 1st floor at any time, either by elevator or stairs.
Find out more at: toureiffel.paris/en/rates-opening-times.
Opening hours
In high season (May 13-August 29), access to the tower is by elevator from 9:00-0:45 am (last entry before 11:30 pm) and by staircase from 9:00-0:30 pm (last exit before midnight). In the low season, the lift is open 9:30-23:45 (last entry before 23:00) and the staircase 9:30-18:30 (last exit before 18:00).
How to get to the tower
The Eiffel Tower is located on the banks of the Seine River near the Champ de Mars Park.
- RER C train - station Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel (approx. 300 metres)
- Direct connection to the attractions: Latin Quarter, Notre-Dame, Musée d'Orsay, Pont Alexandre III, Grand Palais, Petit Palais, Versailles
- Gare d'Austerlitz
- Metro 6 - Bir-Hakeim station (approx. 370 metres)
- Direct links to attractions: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, Tour Montparnasse, Accor Arena, Nation, Place d'Italie
- Gare Montparnasse, Gare de Bercy
- Buses from the Tour Eiffel stop (Av. de la Bourdonnais approx. 200 metres)
- 42 - Champs-Elysées, Place de la Concord, Jardin des Tuileries, Grand Palais, Petit Palais, Church of La Madeleine, Gare Saint-Lazare
- Buses with Tour Eiffel stop (approx. 80 metres)
- 30 - Arc de Triomphe, Parc André-Citroën, Montmartre, Moulin Rouge
- 82 - Porte Maillot, Neuilly-sur-Seine
The Eiffel Tower can also be reached via the Jardins du Trocadéro, where you will have a great view of the Eiffel Tower itself. The metro lines 6 and 9 go here and the station is called Trocadéro.
Official website
For the most up-to-date information regarding opening times, ticket prices or perhaps the latest information on waiting times, visit the official Eiffel Tower website. You can also buy tickets online and save yourself waiting time at the box office.
Hotels with a view of the Eiffel Tower
Want to treat yourself to a hotel in Paris with the best view? Then the Eiffel Tower must be right outside your window. There are several hotels in the area that offer views of the Eiffel Tower, but expect higher standard accommodation and therefore higher prices.
- Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffel - 4* hotel right under the foot of the tower, prices in a 2-bed room from 176 eur per night
- Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel - The 4* hotel with the best location and just below the tower offering impressive views, room rates towards the Eiffel Tower start from 293 eur per night
If you don't need a view directly from your room but would still like to stay near the tower, you can save several thousand crowns per night. Some of the cheapest hotels near the Eiffel Tower include Au Pacific Hotel with prices from 90 eur per night.
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