Gustave Eiffel's 1889 iron tower was built as the entrance arch for that year's World's Fair and was meant to stand for only twenty years before demolition. It remains the defining silhouette of Paris, with three visitor levels reached by lift or, for the lower two, by stairs. The structure itself, exposed rivets and lattice girders visible up close, is as much the attraction as the views over the Seine and the Champ de Mars below.
The Eiffel Tower stands on the Champ de Mars in Paris's 7th arrondissement, a 330-metre wrought-iron lattice tower raised by Gustave Eiffel's firm for the 1889 World's Fair. Visitors pass a security check at the base, then choose between the lifts and the stairs, which are open to the first and second levels. The first floor holds exhibition space and a glass floor section; the second floor offers the widest panorama over the Seine, the Trocadéro and the Invalides; the summit, reached by a separate lift, gives the highest viewpoint in Paris, with a small champagne bar and a reconstruction of Eiffel's office. The ironwork itself, with its exposed rivets and crossed girders, is best studied from the underside, standing directly beneath the four pillars. Most visits last two to three hours including queues, and the tower is lit at night, with a sparkling light show for five minutes at the start of each hour after dark. Photographers favour the Trocadéro terraces across the river for the classic frontal view, the Champ de Mars lawns for a symmetrical approach, and the Pont de Bir-Hakeim for a quieter angle with the Métro viaduct. Crowds peak between late morning and mid-afternoon and throughout July and August, with long lines both for security and for the lifts; opening slots and the last hour before closing are the calmest. Timed online tickets for a specific entry window are the most reliable way to avoid a long wait. The stair climb to the second floor is a popular, cheaper option for able-bodied visitors, while the summit lift can be sold out on busy days. The tower is repainted by hand roughly every seven years, a process that takes about 60 tons of paint and a team of painters working on the ironwork level by level. The tower also serves as a broadcasting mast, and the surrounding Champ de Mars, the Trocadéro gardens and the Quai Branly footpaths offer free places to sit and take in the structure without going up. Combining a ride up with a river cruise from the nearby Pont d'Iéna is a common pairing.
| Admission | Summit €31.80, 2nd floor €19.40, 1st floor €11.80 (online prices); free under 4 (~$34.65 / ~$21.15 / ~$12.85) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 09:30–23:45 (mid-Jun–early Sep); 09:30–22:45 (rest of year); last lift 22:30/23:00 |
| Typical visit | 2–3 hours |
| Best time | Book online for first or last entry to avoid peak queues; 09:30 opening slot is the least crowded |
| Getting there | Métro 6/9 to Trocadéro or Bir-Hakeim; RER C to Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel; Bus 82, 87 |
| Address | Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France |
Location
Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
48.8584, 2.2945 View on map
Highlights
- Glass floor section on the first level looking straight down through the ironwork
- Second-floor panorama over the Seine, Trocadéro and Champ de Mars
- Summit viewpoint at about 276 metres, the highest public platform in Paris
- Hourly sparkling light show after dark
- Classic frontal photo angle from the Trocadéro terraces
Tips for visiting
- Book a timed online ticket well in advance; walk-up lines for security and lifts can each exceed an hour.
- Choose the first or last slot of the day for the thinnest crowds.
- The stairs to the second floor cost less than the lift and often have a shorter queue.
- Watch for bag-size limits and prohibited items at the security check.
- Beware of unofficial ticket sellers and petition scammers around the base.
- Visit the Trocadéro at dusk to see the tower from across the river as it lights up.
When to visit
Go at opening time on a weekday outside July and August, or in the last hour before closing, for the shortest lines and the lit tower at dusk.
Accessibility
Lifts serve all three public levels, and wheelchair users and reduced-mobility visitors can use a dedicated entrance with priority access. The stairs are not accessible, and the summit lift may be closed in high winds.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Eiffel Tower take?
Allow two to three hours including security and lift queues. Visitors who book a timed slot and go only to the second floor can finish in about 90 minutes.
Is the Eiffel Tower worth it for kids?
Yes, the glass floor, the lifts and the evening light show tend to hold children's attention. Strollers are allowed in the lifts, but the stairs are not suitable for very young children.
Is photography allowed at the Eiffel Tower?
Personal photography is allowed on every level and from the surrounding grounds. Tripods and professional equipment may be restricted at the security check.
Can visitors climb the stairs?
Yes, the stairs reach the first and second floors only. The summit is accessible by lift.