Eiffel Tower, Paris

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On the MAG 7 forum I read a number of comments, critics, on the 1000 and more often redundant tips about the Tour Eiffel so that I felt somewhat guilty having written this tip. I only hope that my review is a bit different from the others.

When I came out of the Musée de la Marine at the Trocadero I faced what is for sure the best view on the Eiffel Tower.
As on the day before I had visited the Invalides Army museum and the WW II department with documents of the German occupation, I realised that it was from that Trocadero Esplanade at the exact place where tourists are now viewing the Tour Eiffel that on Sunday June 23, 1940 around 8 am, Adolf Hitler was standing to view the Tour Eiffel and the occupied Paris as shown by that famous photo at the Army museum (photo 2). He would never come back to Paris.

These 4 years were the worst for France and the Tour Eiffel.
They ended with the liberation of Paris by the French 2e Division Blindée under command of general Leclerc on August 25, 1944 and the famous discourse of General De Gaulle:
"Paris outragé ! Paris brisé ! Paris martyrisé ! mais Paris libéré !"

There was fierce fighting at the Champ de Mars when a platoon of Spahis from the 2e DB attacked the Ecole Militaire where 250 Germans resisted during 4 hours against the French troops.
At 12.30 h on August 25, 1944 the French flag was put again on the top of the Tour Eiffel by 6 Sapeurs-Pompiers from the fire brigade of Paris. It took them 25 minutes to climb the 1665 steps under the fire of the German soldiers.

The good years for tourism at the tour Eiffel were back with nearly 7 millions entries in 2009!

I read in the French press that the access to the Tour Eiffel will be improved in order to reduce the queuing. I have been more than a dozen times on the Champ de Mars and each time the queues discouraged me. Now I like to stand at the bottom of the tower and look up to the biggest "Mecano" structure in the world.

It is also the intention to have visitors spend more money once in the tower by offering more catering possibilities. Somebody at the management realised that the prices of the upper restaurant are not for budget travellers! Lunch at the Jules Verne restaurant is at 85 € and dinner at 200 €. Bon appétit!

The Eiffel Tower is open every day.
From 9 a.m. to midnight from 17 June to 28 August, and from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the rest of the year.
The prices vary between 4,50 € (stairs to 2nd floor), lift to 2nd floor (8,10 €) or lift to top at 13,10 €.
Buying tickets (only those with lift included) is possible on line at http:// ticket.toureiffel.fr on a chosen day and time (subject to availability).
With the printed electronic ticket or saved on your mobile ‘phone you can go straight to the queue for people with tickets.

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After breakfast on our second day in Paris, we headed towards the Eiffel Tower – the most famous of all Paris sights. The sky wasn’t very clear and I wondered what kind of view we would have.

There are 3 levels that you can go to – the first has a restaurant, post office, information about the tower, etc., the second level at 115 meters has a viewing area and another restaurant (Jules Verne - where it’s necessary to book at least 2 months in advance - very expensive but nice for a special occasion), and the third level at 276 meters has another viewing area.

We arrived to find crowds of people and promptly got in a line. After about 1 ½ hours in line just as we were about to reach the ticket window they flashed an announcement that they closed the third level due to weather/visibility. I was pretty disappointed but we went up to the second level anyway. The sky wasn’t very bright but I was really surprised that at only 115 meters there was such a good view. Paris rooftops all around, you could see all the way to the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, and up and down the Seine.

While we were making our way around the building, the third level was opened up. We got into a small elevator and made our way 160+ additional meters. I’ve been to the top of taller buildings but this elevator ride was very claustrophobic – I think because the top of the tower was so narrow. I just felt like I was hanging out there in mid-air. I was happy to reach the top. I thought the views were better from the second level – possibly because of the limited visibility.

Since our visit, you are now able to pre-purchase your tickets online. I'd definitely recomend doing that to avoid the queues... http://www.tour-eiffel.com/preparing-your-visit/buying-your-tickets

Admission:
Lift to Top - Adults: €13,40, Age 12-24: €11,80, Children 4-11: €9,30, under 4: free.
Lower rates for 1st and 2nd floor access.

Open every day:
•from 9 a.m. to midnight from 17 June to 28 August,
•from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the rest of the year,
•At Easter weekend and during the Spring holidays : extended opening hours to midnight.

All visitor information was correct as of this update.

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I've just "gone live" with my website which is all about taking photographs in Paris! It's at www.photographing-paris.com.

It's a labour of love that's not quite finished but I've tried to cover everything from what to photograph, what gear to take, where to stay and how to get around. There's lots of photographs that I hope will inspire you or at least give you an idea of the possibilities.

If you're into photography, Paris is, in my opinion, the best place to be. It's like a historical film set: everywhere you look you see things that you've seen in the movies or read about. I could spend the next 20 years photographing the place and only scratch the surface.

If you're heading off to the City of Light for a break, have lots of fun and post some pics on your homepage when you return!

Regards,
Bruce Robbins

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I am probably the only person alive who had no desire to scale the Eiffel. The crush of humanity put me right off so I chose it as a grace note for photos, and saved a few euros too. Fortunately, thousands are willing to stand about in line for that birds-eye of Paris or it likely would not be here today. Built in 1887-1889 for the Exposition Universelle, a 100-year observance of the French Revolution, it was to be torn down 20 years after the expo and its 9441 tons of iron sold for scrap. But the thing turned out to be such an enormous tourist attraction that the clever French decided THAT would be just silly, wouldn't it?

It is, of course, named after its architect, Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, to whom we Yanks owe the internal framework of our own Statue of Liberty; thank you, France! It was also not initially loved by some Parisians who felt that it marred the view of skies so lovely they inspired the song, "Sous Le Ciel De Paris." There is an oft-repeated story of a famous novelist who hated the thing so much that he had his lunch in one of the tower's cafes every day so he didn't have to look at it! Love, hate or simply tolerate it, they've gotten used to the thing over 120 years or so. The fortune collected in ticket fees hasn't hurt either.

Although you will catch a glimpse of it from points all around Paris, two favorite viewing spots are from the large green park to the east, Parc du Champ de Mars, and from across the Seine at the Trocadéro. Champs du Mars is a great place to take an evening picnic as it's one of the few green areas without pesky "Pelouse interdite" signs; "Keep off the grass", for English speakers. You will see lots of people spread out on the lawn for a nosh, a snooze or a bit of canoodling with their sweethearts. For evening viewing, the Trocadéro was our favorite as it was easily accessed from the nearby metro station (Trocadero) and really nice setting across a reflecting pool.

As prices and details can change, it's best to visit the website for everything you need to know. This is also where you can order time-specific tickets for either the elevator to the 1st and 2nd level viewing platforms or all the way to the third. This allows you to skip the ticket line and get into the shorter pass-holder queue. A budget ticket also exists for climbing the stairs to the 1st/2nd platforms but that one isn't available in advance. You may also pre-book a tour.

http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/?lang=en

Be aware: the Eiffel is NOT included in the Paris Museum Pass or any other that I know of. You will also encounter a lot of hawkers who will do their best to sell you cheap tchotchkes; just ignore them and keep walking. If pursued, a firm "Non!" will do the trick. Access to the tower can be abruptly shut down due to adverse weather conditions and security incidents. The tower's special "sparkling" light effect occurs in the evening for 5 minutes every hour on the hour until 1:00 AM so plan accordingly.

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The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris and one of the most famous tourist sites in the world.

Built by Gustave Eiffel in 1887-1889, the tower was almost torn down in 1909 and only saved due to its use as a telegraphy antenna.

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The Tower also represents the magic of light.

During 1986 a new lighting system was installed to provide both normal and 'sparkle' lighting. The new system consists of some 20,000 special light bulbs covering the whole of the tower. From dark till 2 am there is a light show for ten minutes on every hour.

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One of the most recognisable buildings in the world and the most prominent symbol of Paris and France.

Built between 1887 and 1889, the Iron Lady was built as the entrance to the Exposition Universelle, a World fair marking the centenary of the French Revolution. At 324 metres high, it was at the time the tallest building in the world until 1930 when the Chrysler Building in New York was completed. Amazingly, it was originally intended to be a temporary structure for the duration of the exposition.

Today it is the single most visited fee-paying monument in the world, with its 3 separate viewing levels (the first two reachable either by foot or lift) with the lower levels also providing restaurants.

Open: mid June - end of August, 9am-12.45am (last admission Midnight): remainder of the year, 9.30am-11.45pm (last admission, 11pm). Stair option is the same, June-August but closes at 6pm the rest of the year.

Entrance fees: €13,10; €11,50 (12-24 year olds); €9,00 (4-11 y.o) – Top Level
€8,10/€6,50/€4,00 – Up to 2nd Level: €4,50/€3,50/€3,50 – Stairs

Buy on-line to save time in the queues!

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No trip in Paris is complete without a visit to Eiffel Tower. Although I like to see it from a distance (especially at night when it’s lightened check pic 3) we did go to see it twice.

We preferred the Trocadero exit because the view is much better from there and walked down to the tower after that. There are always long lines (even off season) waiting to get inside and go up for the gorgeous views.

It was built by Gustave Eiffel for the exhibition in 1889 to celebrate 100 years from the French revolution. It is 320 meters high with 3 floors and today it’s the landmark of Paris but in those days there were many opponents that couldn’t see as a high elegant steel tower.

You can take the lift or climb 345 steps to first level(57m), then 359 steps to 2nd level(115m) and then (only lift) to the 3rd lever(274m). Best pictures are taken from the 2nd level.

It is open daily 9.30-23:45 and the entrance fee for adult is €4,50(stairs to 2nd level), €8,10(lift to 2nd level) €13,10(lift to top), there are discounts for those under 24 years old.