Eiffel Tower
 

Is there a way to avoid standing in line at the Eiffel Tower, such as by purchasing tickets in advance?

I love Paris, and am always reading magazines, newsletters, web sites, etc... have never heard of any advance purchase such as for Florence musuems... We just got there at 8:30 am, picked up a coffee, and were the first at the ticket window. The queue started up shortly after that, and then it opened at 9:00 (if memory serves correctly). Went to the top this time, and hubby got a little 'vertigo' in the glass elevator, so couldn't watch while ascending.. but was fine once we stepped out onto the platform.

I have recently read that the Eiffel Tower is opened until Midnight during the summers. I was hoping that arriving late would be a good alternate solution. Our thought was to arrive at @ 9-10pm to beat the crowds. Does anyone have any advice/experience on this? Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I was just in Paris a few weeks ago and the lines for the Eiffel Tower were absolutely huge. Our first evening in Paris we walked to the base, saw the huge line and decided to come back another time, since we would be staying at a hotel near the tower our last 4 nights. Another evening we went and the line was even longer than a few days before. The last full day we were there, we decided to get there early and go to the top. However, we overslept by about 45 minutes, and by the time we got there at 9:45, the wait had to have been 3-4 hours. Too much to see in Paris to spend the time waiting in line. To make a long story short, this was my second trip to Paris and I still haven't gone to the top of the Eiffel Tower. If you want wonderful views of the city, wait in the line to go to the bell towers of Notre Dame, go to Sacre Couer, the Arc de Triomphe, and for one of my favorite views, the top of the Samarataine Department store. It's free, no waiting in line and you can see the Eiffel Tower. Tammy

EVERYBODY wants to see Paris by night from the tower. Moreover, while the lines are long to go UP the tower, at least there are lines! Coming down is a disorganized nightmare of pushing and shoving and waiting. Worst part of our visit last year! <BR> <BR>We wanted to see sunset and the lights coming up -- got in line and it was only about a 45 min. wait (at about 7 pm -- this was May). We got up to the third level (the top) and yes, it was beautiful and the lights were breathtaking, BUT it took more than 2 hours to get back down and I was separated from my husband by a sea of elbows and body-checks. Adding to the frustration was the fact that they send the elevators down only 1/2 full to make room for people getting on at the second level. <BR> <BR>Here's what I suggest if you are DETERMINED to "do" the E.T.: Stop and get off at the second level (you pay less, too). You get a VERY nice view, and you avoid the vertigo of going up the narrow part of the tower in a glass elevator, the terror of being shoved against open railings at the top, and the interminable chaotic wait to get back down. <BR> <BR>And the elevators will have space saved just for you.

Go in November. We loved Paris during <BR>that month - no lines anywhere. We arrived at the Eifel Tower around 6 pm <BR>and we only stood in line for 2 minutes. <BR>The weather was gorgeous, falliage everywhere you look and still warm enough. It is even more romantic in the fall and the views are as breathtaking <BR>as they are during the summer.

Maybe it was luck or the time of year (May 98 and March 99), but we had no lines to speak of when we went up after dinner (keeping in mind that we took an early Parisian dinner (but normal for us)). So, somewhere around 7-8 pm. Basically, it was still light when we went up, but darkness fell while we were up on top. Very nice! <BR>

you might consider doing the restaurant thing at the Eiffel Tower. The reviews are mixed on this board although we had what we thought was a nice and affordable meal there. (There are two restaurants. The Michelin recommended Jules Verne with is very expensive and the Altitude something or other which has a price fixed menu which we found to be a bargain.) The reservations can be made on the internet. Bring something nice to wear. <BR> <BR>Jay Wagner

probably the time of year. i was in paris last september and i don't remember standing in line at the eiffel tower more than maybe 15 minutes. of course we did climb the stairs to what i think was the second level and take the elevator from there. coming back down was somewhat of a wait i recall by not too bad.

I recommend the restaurant thing also. We did it last September. We tried making reservations just before we left for 3 weeks out. They were slow in responding (our inpatients because we were leaving) so we made our reservation through Hotel Champs de mars. This way when you check in, they send you to the restaurant line which goes in before the regular line. Also, try to request a "window" seat. We were fortunate, in the second row or so, maybe the hotel's doing. There were empty window tables with reserved signs and people coming in were sent to the inner side. We had a 7:00 reservation at Altitude and were able to see the changing lights and the food was fairly good and prices not too bad.

Love France, love the Tower from the outside. I was in France the last week in May. Lines everywhere in Paris. Eiffel Tower was the worst. You are stuffed into these lifts. View from the top is good but so is the view from the Arc. Not worth the lines. As soon as you get to the top, people start pushing to get back in place for the ride down. Paris is wonderful in November.

1 of our trips to Paris was in mid-June with our the 9 yr old son. We had never been to the top of the tower in at night. Lines to get to the top were about 5 minutes wait, so we did it. Little did we know that everybody was alreay at the top. It was push & shove & get out of the way - everybody else had to take pictures, even if it stopped you. We never did get any pictures, & not much of a look. Spent 15 minutes up there, & about another 1/2 hr to get down. Never again for us, at that time of day/year. Felt lucky to get out alive, BUT I am glad we atleast tried the night time thing once. & If you want to go for the experience - go for it, but just be aware of what to expect.

I don't have any advice re going up in the Eiffel Tower (never tried), but I have a suggestion for enjoying its grandeur from outside. One of the most pleasant experiences we had was spending a couple of hours in the Parc du Champs de Mars (which stretches out before the tower). We were there on a Sunday evening in early April, and there were no tourists around, just French families, and then very few people at all after sunset. I'd assume there'd be more people and tourists during the summer,but that it would still be lovely. We sat/stood near the end of the first lawn, where there's a wide pavement expanse, benches, etc., and a good view of the whole tower. We arrived while it was still light, and watched the tower as the sun set, dusk fell, and the tower lights slowly came on (the darker it gets, the more lights come on). We then stayed until the first hour after dark (9 pm then, probably 10 in the summer), when the first light show came on, and had a spectacular view. We ended up with a great trio of photos of the tower--daylight, twilight, and the light show--that we enlarged to 8x10 for the album. For taking photos of the strobe light show, I recommend a mini folding tripod and multiple shots so you have a better chance at one without too much blur.

Just got back; on a fri at 330pm Walked up to the 2d level & caught an elevator to the final level (only 10 min wait then). Easy enough walk up, lots of rest stops & well-enclosed (I am a bit height fearful). Great view; lots easier to walk than arc d triomphe or sacre coeur (spellings are off), latter was really a nightmare. You can have a nice <BR>snack on both the 1st & 2nd levels.

I was recently in Paris and headed over to the Eiffel Tower around 8 pm on a Wednesday. Got into the first elevator up; no real line to speak of. Guess I got lucky! (It was wonderful seeing the lights come on in the city.)

We did the tower in the evening. Starting about 6:30, wait to the second level was about 10 minutes. At the second, another hour before catching the lift to the third. Be careful on the 2nd, lots of line cutting taking place.

Daniel, <BR>We just returned from Paris and wanted to tell you of our Eiffel Tower experience. We first visited the tower on a Thursday evening to catch the light show at 10:00 pm. We watched from the lawns of the Champs du Mars park. After the 10 minute light show, we walked closer to investigate going to the top. The lines from 10:30 to 11:00 pm were too long to consider doing <BR>that night, so we decided to return first thing in the morning. We were staying at the Muguet Hotel, about a 15 minute walk away, so it was easy for us to return in the morning. We picked up a picnic breakfast on Rue Cler, to eat while we waited in line. We arrived at the tower at 8:30 am and were only the third family in line. The ticket booth opened at 9:10 that morning and as it turned out we were the first people to reach the top of the Eiffel tower on June 16, 2000. We liked it so much, we stayed up there for an hour and a half! WE took the elevator up but decided to walk down because the lines for the elevator down were too long. There are interesting informational posting all the way down telling of the history of the tower. It was such a thrill to enjoy the views all the way down. It is very well enclosed and even with my fear of heights I enjoyed this tremendously. For best views, do this on a sunny day with low humidity. Otherwise your viewing distances will be less, but still memorable. Also, we went up the North Pillar which is supposed to have the largest elevators and the fastest moving lines.

I have been lucky the last couple times. At Easter, it was raining, and a group I was with headed over after supper. There was no line up at all, and we had a great time. The views were fine, if you don't mind rain. The other occasion, I went in the late afternoon and families, etc. were headed, I presume, back to hotels, to supper, etc. and there was a small line. However,I do know that this is not always the case. A quick way is if you are with a tour guide - they whisk you past the huge lineups.

Hi, I would go on the tower, but skip it if the lines are too long and come back later. We went back at 9:50pm and had a very short line. It was crowded but it was a great experience at night. I would manage to get it in especially if this is your first trip to Paris. Also, go all the way to the top. Another note, the restaurant the Altitude has received mixed reviews on this forum. Have fun...

My advice to all visitors is to avoid going up the Eiffel Tower for the view. Try the Tour Montparnasse instead. The lines are much shorter and you can *see* the fabulous Eiffel Tower (and not the not-so-nice Montparnasse tower...) in your view! If you absolutely have to go up the Eiffel Tower, then go at night (as late as possible, I think you can go as late as 11.30 pm now) and get a nightime view. But believe me, there are better views in Paris, with much less hassle.