Should we go all the way to the top of the Eiffle Tower or spend our time and money elsewhere? Will we be missing something wonderful if we don't go?

You will miss seeing Paris from up in the air. Why not go up the Montparnasse Tower? That way you can look at the Eiffel Tower rather than looking at Montparnasse Tower.

Another great view of Paris is the top of the Samaraitaine Department store. It's free and it doesn't have the long lines of the Eiffel Tower.

Lynne <BR> <BR>Don't miss the opportunity to see all of Paris from the top of this famous landmark. Go late in the day so you can see the city in the daylight and then watch the lights come on. I promise you won't be sorry. <BR> <BR>Bon voyage

The other thing to consider is the lines you will encounter at the Eiffle Tower. Unless you go at a particularily quiet time, you can count on standing in line for the elevators for at least 1/2 hr (generally longer). I also thought the view from Sacre Coeur was fantastic. Another spot is one of the large department stores near the Madeline (I forget which one). It has a cafeferia style lunch room on its roof top with full views of the city and 'cheap eats'!.

I think this is a question that will be better answered by you, when you arrive at the Tour Eiffel, check out the lines, see how tall it really is, etc. There are certainly other great views in Paris.

I am also surprised how few people recommend going up in La Grande Arche (not the Arc de Triomphe) - - fascinating architecture, in its own way, a pleasant little gallery of contemporary art and sculpture, and a nice enough inexpensive restaurant (no view in the restaurant though). <BR>

The views from the roof of La Samaritaine, Tour Montparnasse, La Grande Arche, towers of Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, are all fabulous, but none surpass, or even come close, to seeing all of Paris from the top of the Tour Eiffel, in my opinion. I thought it was well worth the tariff and time. It's one of those things we did so we wouldn't be sorry we didn't. And, we were really, really glad we did.

My sentiments exactly, Donna!

Lynne - <BR> <BR>In my opinion, you should go to the top after going all that way to see Paris. You should see it from the top of the Eiffel Tower. <BR> <BR>The view from Sacre-Coeur is overrated but O.K. The BEST view in Paris, of Paris, is from the top of the towers of Notre Dame. Incredible. <BR> <BR>Lynn <BR> <BR

Lynne, <BR> <BR>We were in Paris in Oct. There were 2 elevators operating (east and west) and one of them had the longest lines while the other had hardly anyone. My daughter went to the shorter line and spent no more than 5 min. before she got into an elevator. So check all the lines and see which is shortest. We believe the other line was longest because that was closest to where all the tour buses were dropping off tourists. (We were there later in the afternoon)

One of my best memories of France was arriving at the Eiffle Tower around dusk. We climbed (yes, the steps!) although the lines for the elevators weren't that long. As we were looking down from the top, the lights of Paris starting twinkling on....amazing. But the best part was not realizing that the tower had also been lit until we were a block or two away. I turned around and my jaw dropped open....what a beautiful sight. So, I'd say don't miss going to the top, but do it later in the day when the lines are shorter, the pickpockets have left, and the view is undescribably magnificant!!

If one climbs the Eiffel Tower, can one see out from the stairs while climbing or is it enclosed?

The stairs are open to the air. Very scary. Very spider-webbish. Can get very windy as you go up/down.

Well, if you can endure 8 hours or more of cattle car airline seating, the wait in line for the Eiffel Tower should be minimally uncomfortable.

Sir Cirq - please divulge all those other great views in Paris. And, I'd appreciate knowing how exactly to analyze the length of the lines with the hight of the tower and price of admision so as to determine whether it's all worth it. Thank you in advance.

Lynne: As already suggested above, go for the Grande Arche at La Défense. Far less people and great view also down les Champs-Elysées, Concorde and even further.. It's quite impressing and no stairs...

You MUST, I repeat MUST, go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. None of the others can match what you will see from up there!!! NONE!!!

Lynne-I would even recommend the "cheap" restaurant on the second tier(?). It was about $10.00 a person and included a glass of wine/pop,small steak,potatoes,etc. The meal was average but the thrill of eating up there and the view-my kids still talk about this great experience when we mention Paris.Granted,it is not the Jules Verne class but what a memory!!!

I would say it is better to stand in line than to be sorry later which is what happened to me. The lines were long the day we went and I was tired so I opted not to go and I have been sorry every since. The next time I go back to Paris, it will be the first thing on my list of things to do.