Already the symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is also often the symbol of France. This is completely understandable once you have experienced the "shock and awe" of standing next to it. It is grand, bold and beautiful!
From atop the Eiffel Tower (accessible via a tour) you will have one of the best views of Paris. The Eiffel Tower offers 3 floors to visitors. The 1st and 2nd floors are available by either elevator or stairs. The stairs are only recommended if you do not mind breaking a sweat, especially during the hot summer months. The 3rd floor is only available via elevator with a change of elevators on the 2nd floor. The first and second floors each offer restaurants and other amenities. "Alltitude 95" the restaurant on the first floor, is average for France. It offers a great view and is relatively affordable (around 40€ per person). The "Jules Vernes" (LE JULES VERNE) requires advanced reservations and can easily run 150€ per person. During the high tourist season, expect a decent amount of waiting in line time to get your Eiffel Tower ticket. To help the visitors stay cool, the Eiffel Tower has recently installed a few misters.
Getting to the Eiffel Tower:
map
Métro: Bir-Hakeim, Trocadéro, Ecole Militaire, RER-C Champ de Mars-Tour
Eiffel
Bus: 42, 69, 72, 82, 87
Tickets and access is performed at the base of the Eiffel tour.
Eiffel Tour hours of operation:
The Eiffel Tower is open every day all year long,
- from 9:30am to 11:00pm, January 1 to June 15 and September 3 to December
31, 2006
- from 9:00am to midnight, June 16 to September 2, 2006
| Daily |
Lift |
Steps |
| January 1 to June 15 | 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Final ascension 11:00 p.m. (10:30 p.m. for top floor.) |
9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Final admittance 6:00 p.m. |
| June 16 to September 2 | 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. Final ascension midnight (11:00 p.m for top floor.) |
9:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Final admittance midnight |
| September 3 to December 31 | 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Final ascension 11:00 p.m. (10:30 p.m. for top floor.) |
9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Final admittance 6:00 p.m. |
Access to the top of the Tower may be temporary
closed due to unfavorable weather conditions or too many visitors at any given moment.
Entrance fees:
| Elevator | Full rate | Reduced rate |
| (Adults/Children +12) | (Children 3-11 ) | |
| 1st floor | 4,20 € | 2,30 € |
| 2nd floor | 7,70 € | 4,20 € |
| Top | 11,00 € | 6,00 € |
| Stairs | + 25 years old | - 25 years old |
| 1st & 2nd floors | 3,80 € | 3,00 € |
Brief History:
The Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel's firm. His company, a
leading construction firm, specialized in metal structural work and accomplished
work all over the world, including the metal structure inside the Statue of
Liberty in New York. The Eiffel Tower marks the end of Gustave's entrepreneurial
days. The tower was build for the 1889 Universal Exposition. His expertise in
metal structures enabled 250 men to complete the tower in a little over 2 years;
a relatively short amount of time considering the size and resources available
in the 1880s. Being a metal structure, protective paint is very important for this
Parisian landmark. It is painted every 7 years with 60,000 liters (15,850 US gallons) of paint.
Facts:
- 324 m (a little over 1000 feet)
- Top 2005 visiting countries: 1) France (14.1%) 2) Spain (9.3%) 3) USA (8.9%) 4) UK (8.6%) 5) Germany (5.3%)
- The Eiffel Tower is relatively light for it's size 10 000 Tones.
- 6.5 million visits in 2005
Official Eiffel Tour site.
Following are some brief videos at the Eiffel Tower.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| A Day in Paris | 1.25 MB |
| Eiffel Tower at Dawn | 482.74 KB |
| Kid Waiting for Cotton Candy at Eiffel Tower | 2.65 MB |
| Eiffel Tower Sparkling Pretty | 776.78 KB |
| Streetkitting at Eiffel Tower | 6.77 MB |
| Amateur Band Near Eiffel Tower | 1.48 MB |
| History of Eiffel Tower | 8.5 MB |
| Eiffel Tower Base at Night | 1.17 MB |
| Top Floor Eiffel Tower | 1.01 MB |