The Iron Lady: Everything You Need to Know About the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower, or La Dame de Fer (The Iron Lady), is more than just a monument—it is the enduring symbol of Paris, romance, and French ingenuity. Visiting this icon requires planning to avoid huge queues and ensure you experience its magic both up close and from afar.

Here is your complete guide to everything you need to know about the Eiffel Tower, from its controversial history to the best time to see it sparkle.

History in Iron: Facts You Should Know

The Eiffel Tower was not originally meant to be a permanent fixture in Paris!

Designer: Named after the noted bridge engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. (Though the original design came from his senior engineers, Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier).
Purpose: It was built as the massive centerpiece and entrance gateway for the 1889 World’s Fair (Exposition Universelle), commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution.
Construction: Built in just two years, two months, and five days (1887–1889), using advanced techniques for metal truss construction. It required 18,038 pieces of wrought iron and 2.5 million rivets.
Height Record: At $324$ meters ( $1,063$ feet), it was the tallest man-made structure in the world for 41 years until the Chrysler Building in New York City was completed in 1930.
The Original Plan: It was only intended to stand for 20 years, but its value as a radio telegraph transmitter station saved it from demolition in 1909.

The Ascent: Tickets, Levels, and Views

To avoid the infamous two-hour-plus queues, you MUST book your tickets in advance on the official Eiffel Tower website.

1. Choosing Your Ticket (Adult Rates Est. 2025)

Tickets are priced based on which level you visit and how you ascend.

Ticket Option	Price (Est.)	Experience
2nd Floor + Stairs	Approx. €11.30	The cheapest option. A great workout (674 steps). No elevator from the 2nd floor up.
2nd Floor + Elevator	Approx. €18.10	Fastest way to the second observation deck, which offers excellent panoramic views.
Summit (Top) + Elevator	Approx. €28.30	The ultimate view. You take the elevator to the 2nd floor, then transfer to a final elevator to the very top.

Pro Tip: Tickets to the top cannot be purchased later on the 2nd floor. You must decide if you want the Summit before you buy your ticket.

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2. What to See on Each Level

First Floor (58m): Features a glass-floored observation deck and the Madame Brasserie restaurant. You get a unique, dizzying perspective looking straight down.
Second Floor (116m): The main observation level. Offers the clearest, most recognizable views of Paris landmarks (Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Seine River). This view is often considered better for photography than the Summit.
Summit (276m): Offers a breathtaking, long-distance panoramic view. Here you will find Gustave Eiffel’s preserved private office (viewable through a window) and a small Champagne Bar.

The Magic at Night: The Sparkle Show

Seeing the Eiffel Tower light up at night is a quintessential Parisian experience that is entirely free.

When Does the Tower Light Up?

Golden Illumination: The tower’s standard golden lighting turns on automatically every evening at sunset (dusk).
The Sparkle Show: The tower sparkles for 5 minutes at the beginning of every hour after sunset.
- Example: If the sun sets at 8:30 PM, the golden lights turn on shortly after, and the first sparkle show is at 9:00 PM.
Final Show: Due to energy conservation efforts by the City of Paris, the entire golden illumination now turns off at 11:45 PM, and the final sparkle show is at 11:00 PM. (Check current summer/holiday hours, which may be later.)

Best Free Viewing Spots

Trocadéro Gardens (Place du Trocadéro): The most famous and popular spot. Offers the widest, most dramatic view across the Seine.
Champ de Mars: The sprawling park directly beneath the tower. Great for a picnic and a close-up sparkle view.
Pont Alexandre III: This ornate bridge offers a beautiful framed view, perfect for combining the sparkle with a Seine River cruise.
Arc de Triomphe: The view from the top offers a magnificent panoramic vista of the sparkling Tower and the entire Axe Historique.

Essential Visitor Tips

Arrive Early (or Late): The shortest lines are typically right at opening time (often 9:30 AM, see seasonal hours) or in the evening, after 5:00 PM.
Security: You must pass through a security checkpoint before entering the area beneath the tower. Large bags and non-guide animals are not permitted.
Weather: Visibility from the top can be poor on rainy or foggy days. If the weather is bad, consider rescheduling or opting for only the 2nd-floor ticket.