A few years ago, my hubbie got cold feet - his fear of heights overcame him and he couldn't go up the Eiffel Tower so I went alone. He has regretted it ever since and I am so glad I went...

I went in the daytime and at night, and the lines were quite short at night. I thought it was really special both times. If time is a concern, go after dinner. <BR> <BR>But really, how could I go home and say I just stood underneath the Eiffel Tower? That's like saying you hooked a really big fish but didn't bother to reel it in.

The Eiffel Tower is truly a must, and I don't usually tell people they MUST see something - it's so much better to let them discover for themselves.

What is the name of the cheap restaurant on the second tier? It's not Altitude 95, is it? I thought that was a bit pricier than $10 a plate. <BR> <BR>Also, is it okay to eat steak? But that's another topic, I guess.

There is a thread here somewhere about eating beef in Europe. A search should turn it up for you. <BR> <BR>As for the view of Paris from La Samaritaine...it was closed last week when we were there...and I don't recall that any reopening date was posted.

Does anyone know if the Eiffel Tower is covered by "La Carte Musees et Monuments?" We buy the card not necessarily to save money but to avoid long lines -- at sites such as the Louvre or to go to the top of the Arch de Triumph, it's really great to have.

no, the Eiffel Tower is not covered by that museum card.

Jan, unfortunately the carte musee does not cover the Eiffel Tower. <BR> <BR>After thinking about all the different views of Paris, I think it is great if you can take in as many as you can. From each view, you will have a completely different perspective. The only down side I have about going up in the Eiffel Tower, besides the possbile long lines, is that you don't see the Eiffel Tower. If possible, climb up to the towers of Notre Dame, go to the top of the Samarataine Department store, climb up to the top of Arc de Triomphe, go to Sacre Couer, and ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Each will be rewarding and different. The views of Paris are beautiful no matter what.

One of the neat things on the second level is a post office where, of course, all the post cards you send home will have the Eiffel Tower post mark but also in the post office is a pay phone. There's nothing like calling someone back home and saying... "guess where I'm standing?"

hello <BR> <BR>you're in paris <BR> <BR>the eiffel tower is de riguer <BR> <BR>if you don't go, you will feel always, the rest of your life, vaguely incomplete.

You got to Paris yesterday. <BR>Today at 6am you cannot sleep, be smart get up, get breakfast, get in line at the Tour (it will be really short early in the morning) and spend 2-3 hours just walking the steps, looking at people, admirring the view, feeling its majestic presence. <BR>The other alternatives are all fine, but they don't replace the ORIGINAL. <BR>

I like the view from the Arc de Triomphe - cars milling around below you in every direction, and the city spread out in a right bank/left bank fashion that makes it easy to find everything. It's included in the Carte Musee, and although it's a long hike up, there have been no lines to speak of when I've been there. <BR> <BR>The views from the great ferris wheel in the Place de la Concorde (there only through June, 2001?) are also worth the small fee and short lines.

Lynne, <BR> <BR>I often avoid the usual tourist spots and instead focus on more meaningful locals. However, the experience of viewing Paris from the eyes of the Eiffle Tower is undescribable. The view is, of course, panaramic and gives you an entirely new perspective of the evolution of Paris and its landmarks. Yes, you will wait in line for 1/2 hour; however, many of us have surpassed this for a 30 second roller coaster. Weigh your time with the experience and decide. Have a fabulous trip - I am envious!

This is not something that most of the crowd here seems to be interested in, but if you're a younger/single guy, there are a lot of beautiful young female tourists from all over the world there at any given time, most of whom at this juncture of history will speak better English and be much smarter than you (or will think they are if you're American, which amounts to almost the same thing in the few moments you'll have to make an impression). However, being stuck in a line for several hours besides a beautiful woman gives you a perfect excuse to strike up a conversation, and if you're not too hopeless a line provides you with something of a captive audience, a feature not regularly offered by places offering more mobility. And contrary to what some people on this board seem to want to believe, plenty of female backpacker/tourist types are not opposed to the idea of romance on vacation, even with Americans.

I was in Paris for Easter for the last 2 years. It is my favorite place in the whole world. My husband and I climbed to the top of whatever we could. We had dinner in the Eiffle Tower then went to the top. It was a beautiful view BUT what is a view of Paris without seeing the Eiffle Tower?

Well, we DID go all the way to the top of ET. We went about 5:30 PM, waited only about 10 minutes for elevator and watched the city light up from the top. We also got to experience the strobe light show up close! The view is fabulous, but we also enjoyed the views from Samaritaine and Arc de T, although they are different.

Go, wait in line, pay the tariff. You will NOT be disappointed. The views are spectacular, better if you've read a tour guide or two and can recognize everything, but there are diagrams to inform you. YES, you will be missing something wonderful if you don't go.