No city can mesmerize you with its grandeur and opulence as much as Paris. Hailed as the most romantic city in the world, the French capital is home to awe-inspiring architecture, magnificent cobbled streets, grand boulevards, and cutting-edge fashion.
No visit to Paris is complete without a visit to the emblematic wrought-iron wonder, the Eiffel Tower. Built in 1889 for the Exposition Universelle - the World’s Fair, the 300-meter iron lattice tower is a powerful symbol of France’s industrial prowess. The brainchild of architect and engineer Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower is now an instantly recognizable landmark and doubles up as an orientation point for the city. This guide will help you choose the best guided tour of Eiffel Tower.
4 Reasons Why You Must Take an Eiffel Tower Tour
Eiffel Tower is a quintessential Paris experience; one that no one wants to miss on. With swarms of tourists flocking to the wrought-iron marvel every day, getting Eiffel Tower Lift tickets and Summit access is not a walk in the park. Charting your travel options and tickets in coordination with attraction timings could take you months and you might still not have a flawless experience. Eiffel Tower Guided Tours is your go-to option for a hassle-free experience of the iron monument.
#1 Expert Guidance on the Eiffel Tower Tour
If you’re on your maiden trip to the Eiffel Tower, figuring out the different features, entrances and tickets to the historical monument can be a daunting task. When you choose any Eiffel Tower Guided Tours, you’ll have a professional guide leading you at every step of the way. The guides are well-versed with the layout of the Paris Eiffel Tower and will guide you through the shortest routes to save you precious time in Paris. They’ll also have your tickets ready so that you can jump into the adventure immediately. The guide will throw in historical facts and personal anecdotes every now and then to keep you entertained.
#2 No More Waiting - Skip The Line at the Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower is famous for the sheer amount of tourists it attracts. With over 7 million tourists visiting the historical monument every year, getting tickets and priority access to the Eiffel Tower Lift is a difficult ticket. Eiffel Tower Guided Tours come with one important feature to beat the crowd - tickets and direct access to every level and the summit. With Skip The Line Eiffel Tower tickets, you will not have to wait in long queues to access either the Eiffel Tower Stairs or the Eiffel Tower Lifts. All the planning for your trip to the Eiffel Tower will be done by the operators; you just have to show up.
#3 Flexible Tour Timings - Visiting the Eiffel Tower at Night and Day
The Eiffel Tower is open to the public from 9 am to 12.45 am every day. Eiffel Tower offers you a magnificent panoramic view of the world’s most romantic city both during the day and at night. During the day, the Eagle’s View of Paris from the summit will have you gasping in awe as you experience vertigo looking at the ‘miniature’ cars and buses running through winding roads. Eiffel Tower at night is a stupendous view to behold; over 70,000 bulbs illuminate the 300-meter tall iron tower, with light shows every now and then. Depending on what you want to experience, the Paris Eiffel Tower Tours have flexible timings covering the entire day - at 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, and 5:00 pm.
#4 Smaller Tour Groups - An Exclusive Experience of the Eiffel Tower
While some tourists do not mind being a part of a large tour group, most fancy a more intimate experience of the Eiffel Tower. This is exactly what Eiffel Tower Guided Tours offer; a limited size group. With a maximum of 20 people in a group, you are guaranteed an exclusive climbing experience with the guide taking each of the group members through the history of the Eiffel Tower.
The Best Eiffel Tower Tour Options
Choosing the Best Eiffel Tower Tour in Paris
Before deciding which tour to choose, take a look at the key features of each. Here’s a list of all your Eiffel Tower tour options and their main highlights.
1Skip The Line - 2nd Floor tickets
Explore Paris from the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the unforgettable views. You'll get an experience that allows you to skip the queues and go straight to the 2nd level with these tickets. You can also customize your ticket to get access to the Summit, as well as add a Seine River Cruise.
2Skip The Line - Summit Tickets
Take a guided tour as you summit the Eiffel Tower. The tour is led by knowledgeable guides who will not only tell you all about the history and construction of this iconic structure but will also help you get the best views. Choose to customize your ticket by adding a Seine River Cruise as well!
3Guided Climb
Follow your expert English speaking guide as he helps you explore the Eiffel Tower. Climb the steps and make your way to the 2nd floor or upgrade to the summit with the help of an elevator. You can customize your ticket to have these tours in English, German or Spanish.
4Skip the Line Tickets with City Tour and Seine River Cruise
A 4-6 hour tour that lets you leave your day's planning to us! Embark on an exciting tour of Paris and visit all of the city’s most iconic locations in a luxurious, air-conditioned coach. Board a cruise ship shortly after your city tour and enjoy the city from a whole new perspective.
What to Expect from Eiffel Tower Tours
If it is your maiden visit to Paris, there is no better global landmark other than the Eiffel Tower to begin your adventure in the City of Lights. The Eiffel Tower Guided Tour will start from a conveniently located meeting point near the Eiffel Tower, which is easily accessible by any means of transport. Depending on your choice of Eiffel Tower Tour, you will be greeted by an authentic French breakfast, complete with delicious croissants and a warm cup of coffee.
Listen to anecdotes and stories from a passionate guide
Reenergized for your escapade, you will start your journey to the sky-scraping Eiffel Tower, along with your group and guide. As you walk towards the historic monument, your guide will give you a brief historical timeline of the Eiffel Tower and why it holds a special place in the hearts of Parisians.
Explore the first and second floors of the Eiffel Tower
After a brief security check, your guide will walk you through the ground floor of the Eiffel Tower and all it has to offer. Depending on your package, your guide will lead you to the Eiffel Tower stairs or Eiffel Tower lifts, which will take you to the first and second floors. You can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Paris skyline and admire major Parisian attractions including Champs Elysees, the Louvre, and Trocadero Gardens from the observation deck. You can also channel your inner daredevil to walk on the glass floor situated 57 meters above the ground level.
Ascend to the highest point in France - The Eiffel Tower Summit
After you’ve enjoyed the eagle’s view of Paris to your heart’s content, your guide will lead you to the access point to the summit. Once you reach the highest point in Paris, the Eiffel Tower Summit, you’ll experience a sudden dose of vertigo as your eyes trace the many ‘miniature’ cars and buses, and swarms of people moving through winding roads. It’s a truly life-changing experience as you will be humbled by the sheer magnanimity of the 130-year-old Eiffel Tower.
Visit the office of the man behind the Eiffel Tower - Gustave Eiffel
Located on the highest observation point in Europe is the office of the man behind the architectural wonder, Gustave Eiffel. Eiffel’s Summit office hosts a collection of alternative designs for the tower, along with city maps, and construction plans.
Eiffel Tower Tour Highlights
Eiffel Tower First Floor - Walk on Glass Floor, Get a quick bite at La Bulle Eiffel
Standing at 57 meters, the first floor of the Eiffel Tower has two main attractions on offer. After climbing 328 steps, you will reach the fascinating first floor which has a unique feature - a transparent floor. The stairs and the floor are made of glass and it’s a thrilling and adrenaline rushing experience to just walk on the floor, as you look down on the ‘miniature’ vehicles and visitors walking around under you.
Apart from the transparent flooring, the other major attraction on the first floor is the La Bulle Eiffel, one of the Eiffel Tower restaurants. You can grab a lunch or dinner that offers picnic-style lunches as well as traditional, three-course French meals. Apart from these two major attractions, you’ll also see some souvenir and snack shops.
Eiffel Tower Second Floor - Observation Deck, Le Jules Verne restaurant
The more vibrant of the two floors, the second level of the Eiffel Tower is home to quite a few attractions. Located at a height of 115 meters, the Eiffel Tower Second Floor offers an excellent vantage point to observe the major landmarks of Paris from a distance. It also features the most fascinating observation deck in Paris. With the telescopes on offer at the observation deck, you’ll be able to admire Parisian attractions such as the Seine River, Montmartre, the Louvre, the Grand Palace, Notre Dame, and Champs Elysees.
Eiffel Tower’s Second Floor is also the abode of the Michelin-star Le Jules Verne restaurant. Previously run by Alain Ducasse, an accomplished chef with 18 Michelin stars, culinary endeavors at the Le Jules Verne are now spearheaded by Frédéric Anton, Jules Verne’s new chef who is a three-star chef and a “Meilleur Ouvrier de France”. Le Jules Verne offers traditional French cuisine with some subtle restyling.
Eiffel Tower Summit - Eagle’s View of the City of Lights
Offering the best eagle’s view of Paris, the Eiffel Tower Summit is the highest vantage point in France. Situated at a height of 276 meters from ground level, the panoramic view that the summit offers is unparalleled by anything in Europe. The Eiffel Tower Summit can only be accessed by glass-walled elevators and the ascend to the top is nothing less than magical. You will experience vertigo as you look down on the array of buildings and structures and notice ‘miniature’ vehicles cruise through winding roads.
The Eiffel Tower summit also features the office of the mastermind behind the Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel. The office features a collection of alternative designs for the tower, along with city maps, construction plans, and realistic wax characters.
Last Minute Eiffel Tower Summit Tickets
Eiffel Tower Summit Tickets are highly sought after and last minute bookings are generally difficult to come by. Due to high demand, the tickets tend to sell out fast. While you can book Eiffel Tower Summit Tickets in advance, you can also try your luck at the ticket counter on the second floor on the day of your experience.
Eiffel Tower Essential Information
Opening Hours
Mid-June to early September: 9 AM - 12:45 AM
Last elevator ride to the top leaves at 11 PM. Similar stair access timings.
Rest of the year: 9:30 AM - 11:45 PM
Last elevator ride to the top leaves at 10:30 PM. Stair access timings: 9:30 AM - 6 PM
Please note that the museum is closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25.
Getting There
- By Bus: Buses 82, 42, 87, and 69 operate to the Eiffel Tower.
- By Metro: The Metro has two lines that have stops in close proximity to the Eiffel Tower i.e Line 6 and 9.
- By RER Train: You can use the RER Train and get off at the Champs de Mars station.
Eiffel Tower Tours: Insider Tips
- As your Eiffel Tower Tour will include a fair bit of walking and climbing, it is advised that you wear comfortable clothes and running shoes.
- Security at the monument is strict, so remember to carry your ID cards, even for children.
- The Tower does not permit the storage of items such as suitcases, non-folding buggies, and prams.
- Eiffel Tower Ticket queues can get uncomfortably long, with 90-minute waiting times. It is always better to book your tickets online to avoid long lines and get direct access to the Eiffel Tower.
- If you can, wait and watch the Eiffel Tower shimmer in the evening. Every five minutes on the hour, the monument sports a dazzling look with over 70,000 lights illuminating the iron tower.
- Opening hours of the Eiffel Tower are your go-to choice if you’re looking to beat the crowd. The waiting times are significantly lesser.
- Read more about Eiffel Tower entrances and pick the right entrance to skip the queues and save time.
- Visiting the Eiffel tower at night is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Squeeze in a visit if you can.
- Know all the best views of the Eiffel Tower with the help of this guide and where to catch them to click picture-perfect selfies.
Eiffel Tower Tours: FAQs
1. Can I skip the line with guided tours at Eiffel Tower?
2. Are multilingual guides available with Eiffel Tower Guided Tours?
3. Can I cancel/reschedule my Eiffel Tower Guided Tour tickets?
4. How can I get to the Eiffel Tower Summit?
5. How to skip the line at the Eiffel Tower?
6. Is the security strict at the Eiffel Tower?
7. Can I buy last minute tickets to the Eiffel Tower Summit on the day of the visit?
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