Eiffel Tower

The Iron Lady is one of the most iconic sights in the world, named after its constructor, Gustave Eiffel. It is almost impossible to visit Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower since it is visible from nearly everywhere. It is 320 m (over 1049 ft) tall and is constructed from puddle iron. It weighs an estimated 10,000 tons. The tower has been controversial since its erection in 1887 as some people consider it ugly. Nonetheless, it is also considered one of the greatest achievements in engineering.

The actual aim of this structure was for it to become a landmark for the 1889 Paris Expo and also a memorial to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution. Its construction took more than two years and had to be specially designed to withstand strong winds, swaying a few centimeters when the wind blows. At night, the tower is illuminated. It has three levels which are accessible to tourists. All floors are accessible by elevator, with the first two also being reachable by steps, a total of 700! These floors also both have restaurants and a truly wonderful view of the city. Gustave Eiffel used to have a private apartment on the third floor where he welcomed his guests. The view will probably exceed your expectations and take your breath away!

Since its opening, more than 250 million people have visited the Eiffel Tower. Various guided tours are provided for tourists in many languages. Avoid lines by buying tickets online, but make sure you arrive on time; otherwise you may not be let in. Online tickets are sold only for elevator access, not for steps. Be aware of strong winds blowing at the top and perhaps take a coat. Keep an eye on your personal belongings, too.

There are several ways to get to the „Iron Lady“. You can take Métro line 6 to Bir-Hakeim station or line 9 to Trocadéro. An express train stops near Champs de Mars — Tour Eiffel. The buses 82, 42, 87 and 69 stop either at Tour Eiffel or at Champs de Mars. At Vélib station, bikes are available for self-hire. It is also possible to come to the Eiffel Tower by boat on the Seine River!

Opening Hours

June to September: 9 a.m. to midnight.
Rest of the year: 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Admission

Adult: €8.50, €14 to the summit
Youth (12-24 years): €7, €12.50 to the summit
Children (4-11 years), disabled: €4, €9.0 to the summit

The access waiting time to the monument is likely to be over 2 hours unless you book online.

Contact

Phone: +33 892 70 12 39

• Official website of the Eiffel Tower

• Eiffel Tower at Wikipedia