Glorious in the morning and gorgeous by night, the Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel) is perhaps the best thing that ever happened to Paris. The 986-ft tall tower, which once held the title of the world’s tallest man-made structure, is one of the most iconic destinations in the world and the most visited paid-for attraction. Be it the dazzling display of fireworks on the Bastille Day or the panoramic view from the top, this 19th-century tower is an emblem of Paris that has always surpassed expectations. Even today, the world looks at it in wonder.
History
The Eiffel Tower was constructed for the 1889 World’s Fair, which was organized to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution. The architects of the projects started contemplating the construction of the structure in 1884. The construction of the tower started in 1887 and was completed on 15 March 1889. It was thrown open to the public on 31 March 1889. Eiffel Tower was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991.
Things to do at Eiffel Tower
Visitors can take the stairs or elevator up to the three levels of observation decks and restaurants in the tower for panoramic views of Paris.
The two restaurants in the tower are Le 58 Tour Eiffel and Le Jules Verne.
Nearby Attractions
Louvre Museum – Established in 1792,the Louvre Museum is the world’s most frequently visited museum and one of the largest ones as well. Close to 10 million people visit this museum where around 35,000 prehistoric to modern objects are on display. Renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting of Mona Lisa is housed in this museum.
Notre Dame de Paris – It is a historic cathedral of the Catholics in the fourth arrondissement of Paris. This 700-year-old cathedral is rated as one of the finest works of the French Gothic architecture. Notre Dame de Paris is one of the most recognized and amongst the largest churches in the world.
Arc de Triomphe – This is another iconic structure in Paris erected in the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle and inaugurated on July 29, 1836. It is a memorial dedicated to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the French Revolution (1789) and Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815).
Notre Dame de Paris – It is a historic cathedral of the Catholics in the fourth arrondissement of Paris. This 700-year-old cathedral is rated as one of the finest works of the French Gothic architecture. Notre Dame de Paris is one of the most recognized and amongst the largest churches in the world.
Arc de Triomphe – This is another iconic structure in Paris erected in the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle and inaugurated on July 29, 1836. It is a memorial dedicated to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the French Revolution (1789) and Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815).
Where is Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower is located on the Champ de Mars in the seventh arrondissement of Paris, not far from the Seine River.
Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France.
Location map of Eiffel Tower
How to Reach?
By Air – The Charles de Gaulle International Airport is around 34 km away from the Eiffel Tower and it’s little over a 30-minute drive to this tourist destination.
By Train – The Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel on the line RER C is the Metro train service specially put in place to take the tourists to the Eiffel Tower. It takes 7-8 minutes to reach the site from the metro station.
By Road – Eiffel Tower is well connected to all parts of the city by an extended network of roads.
Accommodations
The Shangri-La Hotel in Paris is meant for travelers looking for a luxurious stay near Eiffel Tower. Hotel Citadines Suites Arc de Triomphe Paris, Hotel Juliana Paris, and Hotel Sezz Paris have best services on offer for mid-range tourists. A budget traveler can expect a decent stay at hotels like Eiffel Rive Gauche, Kensington, and Hotel de la Paix Tour Eiffel.
Restaurants
There are several classy restaurants in and around the Eiffel Tower. 58 Tour Eiffel, Le Jules Verne, Le Casse Noix, Au Bon Accueil, Firmin Le Barbier, and Bistrot de la Tour Eiffel are some of the finest restaurants serving both French and international cuisines.
Best Time To Visit Eiffel Tower
Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Paris and the Eiffel Tower. This is when you experience pleasant weather and less crowd.
Christmas is the most beautiful time to visit Paris. While the entire city looks gleaming in the Christmas light, the tower sparkles bright at night.
Things to Remember
There are several lifts in the tower. One of the lifts goes up to the second floor from the ground floor. Two sets of Duo-lifts connect the second floor to the top.
There are five more lifts in the tower, one on each pillar, and one private lift that leads to the “Jules Verne” restaurant.
There are three levels in this iron lattice tower for public visits. The third level observatory’s upper platform is at a height of 279.11 m (915.7 ft).
You have to climb 300 steps to reach from ground level to the first level and another 300 steps from the first level to the second level.
The third and the highest levels also have stairs, but the public can only access these levels by lift.
Opening & Closing Hours
The Eiffel Tower is open 365 days a year.
- Visitors can enter the tower between June 15 and September 1, from 9:00 a.m. till midnight.
- For rest of the year, the timing remains from 9.30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Closing hours are extended till midnight during the Spring holidays and Easter weekend.
Tickets
Children under 4 years have free access to the Eiffel Tower. There are special rates for individuals, groups, and disabled people as well as reduced rates for adults accompanying the disabled. The rates for standard tickets are:
- Stairs entrance (up to the second floor): Age 4-11= € 3.00 / Age 12-24 = €3.50 / Adults = €5.00
- Lift entrance (up to the second floor): Age 4-11= € 4.00 / Age 12-24 = €7.00 / Adults = €8.50
- Lift entrance (to the top floor): Age 4-11= € 10.00 / Age 12-24 = €13.00 / Adults = €14.50
To avoid the rush, you can buy tickets online.
France has strict copyright infringement laws in place. Under these laws, any pictures of the Eiffel Tower that have been taken at night during the light show, may not be shared online without prior permission from the Socie`te` d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel.
Facts about Eiffel Tower
- The Tower is named after Gustave Eiffel, the engineer who designed this tower and the Statue of Liberty.
- It was constructed for the 1889 World’s Fair and is over 980 feet tall.
- Around 1,665 steps lead to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
- 30 million euro has been spent to give the first floor of the Tower a facelift. The floor is now made of glass so that visitors to the tower can enjoy a stunning view from a height of 57 meters.
- The Tower weighs 10,100 tonnes.
- There are 120 antennas in this architectural wonder.
- It is said that about 132 workers were employed to assemble 18,000 metallic parts of the Tower.
- Around 336 sodium lamps and 20,000 bulbs are used for illuminating it.
- Names of 72 French scientists, mathematicians, and engineers are engraved on this tower to accredit their contributions.
- It is visited by over seven million people every year.
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