Conceived by engineer Gustave Eiffel and erected between January 1887 and March 1889, the Eiffel Tower was initially derided as an “iron monstrosity” by artists like Guy de Maupassant. Soaring to 324 m (including its antennas), it held the title of the world’s tallest structure until 1930, when the Empire State Building surpassed it.

Its groundbreaking design rests upon four gently curved legs anchored in reinforced-concrete foundations, supporting a lattice of over 18,000 wrought-iron components joined by 2.5 million rivets. During the 1889 World Fair, it drew 2,312,496 visitors in just five months—an emphatic showcase of French industrial prowess.

By the early 1900s, the Tower had become a cutting-edge radio-telegraphy laboratory—Marconi’s first powerful transmissions were made from its summit—and in World War I, its antennas intercepted enemy communications, playing a pivotal role in foiling the Schlieffen Plan.

Over the decades, the monument evolved: hydraulic elevators were installed in 1899; the first high-altitude restaurant, Le 58 Tour Eiffel, opened in 1958; and safety upgrades modernized its staircases and guardrails. Nightly illuminations began in 1985, and since the year 2000, 20,000 sparkling lights twinkle every hour after dusk.

Today, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the banks of the Seine, the Eiffel Tower welcomes nearly 7 million visitors annually. It hosts rotating exhibitions on themes from space exploration to urban photography, and since 2019 features an interactive museum on Gustave Eiffel’s life and engineering legacy.

Getting to the Eiffel Tower is simple and part of the adventure:

• Metro: Line 6 to Bir-Hakeim, or Line 9 to Trocadéro (ideal for sweeping views as you arrive)

• RER Train: Line C to Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel station

• Bus: Lines 42, 69, 72, 82, or 87

• On Foot or by Boat: Stroll along the Seine or hop on a river cruise that docks near the tower

No matter how you choose to arrive, the first glimpse will always feel unforgettable.

• Skip the line by booking tickets online—especially if you want to reach the summit.

• Best time to visit: Just before sunset or early morning to avoid crowds and catch the golden glow.

• Dine with a view: Try a meal at Madame Brasserie (1st floor) or the elegant Le Jules Verne restaurant (2nd floor).

• Don’t miss the sparkle: Every hour after sunset, the tower twinkles with thousands of lights for five magical minutes.

• Perfect photo spots: For postcard-worthy shots, head to Trocadéro Square, Pont de Bir-Hakeim, or lie back on the Champ de Mars lawns.

• Book tickets online in advance—you can't buy at ticket booths before opening and can face long waits 

• Arrive ~20 minutes before your slot to clear security checks 

• Choose your route: stairs to the 2nd floor give more structure views; lift to the summit offers maximum height_.

• Visit times with fewer crowds: early morning (9–11 AM) or evening (8–10 PM)

Admission Fee:

Elevator to 2nd Floor

• Adult (25+): €23.10

• Youth (12–24): €11.60

• Child (4–11) / Disabled: €5.90

• Under 4: Free 

Elevator to Summit (Top)

• Adult: €36.10

• Youth: €18.10

• Child / Disabled: €9.10

• Under 4: Free 

Stairs to 2nd Floor

• Adult: €14.50

• Youth: €7.30

• Child / Disabled: €3.70

• Under 4: Free 

Stairs to 2nd + Elevator to Summit

• Adult: €27.50

• Youth: €13.80

• Child / Disabled: €6.90

• Under 4: Free

Opening Hours

Entrance Open Daily (may close early on certain holidays or maintenance days):

• Peak Season (mid‑March to mid‑Sept):

  • Tower: 09:00–00:45 (doors close at 00:45, last elevator ~midnight)

  • Stairs: 09:00–00:30 (last entry at midnight) 

• Off Season (mid‑Sept to mid‑March):

  • Tower: 09:30–23:45 (last entry 22:45)

  • Stairs: 09:30–18:30 (last entry 18:00) 

Latest closing times:

• Daily access around 23:45–00:00, depending on season

Summary Table

• Ticket purchase: Best booked online

• Security: Allow ~20 min ahead of time

• Open: Every day with rare exceptions

• Stairs: Limited later evening access; elevator runs later