All of this talk about the Eiffel Tower has me confused, so I'm hoping someone can clear things up a bit. How many levels are there? How many different places with elevators? Can I walk up, and if so, what portions should I attempt to climb up? Any reason I can't walk down? How many flights are we talking about? I think I'm in pretty good shape, but I don't want to bite off too much.

3 levels; stairs with rest stops at each landing; after level one, a terrace w/ shops, snack bars etc; then walk to level 2. <BR>Takes about 10 min to each level. <BR>Not tiring at all. There are 4 feet to the tour & each has its own elevator & sep. line. Walking down is a snap. <BR>Must take elev if want to go to level 3. <BR>Can buy tkt at level 2 for that---short line & wait unlike street level. <BR>WALK!

OUR FAMILY WAS IN PAIS WEEK OF JUNE 10. <BR>THE LINES TO EIFFER TOWER WERE RATHER LONG AT 9:00PM. TOO LONG FOR US TO WAIT! <BR>IT WASN'T EVEN DARK THEN. IT STARTS GETTING DARK AROUND 10:00PM

Just returned from Paris. Living in California, jet lag was pretty bad -- that meant we were up VERY early first couple of days. Left our hotel in the Marais, took Metro to Ecole Militaire, had a nice walk over to Eiffel Tower with great views all the way, got on line about 8:45 a.m. There were maybe 40 people in front of us. We went to the top right away, wondered around for 15 or 20 minutes, went down to middle level, took in the views, and back to the bottom. No real waiting at all. At night it might be nice to see the lights, but during the day you can identify everything, which is nice. Also, as noted, it doesn't begin to get dark until 10 p.m.

In our off season trips to France, we never experienced a long wait for the elevators. The last time we were in Paris, though, was high season, and we were there as a family. My intrepid husband and sons decided to climb. They arrived at the top in a brisk 1/2 hour. (No line at the stairs.) It took me 45 minutes in line plus the interminable time spent sandwiched between other people in the lifts. By the time I finally got there, they were rested and rather cocky about their accomplishment. Moreover, it saved on the price of admission! *J'adore Paris...* <BR>Ciao, <BR>k