From reading the boards, it seems that very early morning is the best time for shorter queues but right before sunset to night time is the best time for views. I would rather go between 8 and 9PM - at this time, would I still queue up for at least an hour? We did exactly the same thing for Empire State building and there were no queues at all at night. I'm hoping it's the same thing for the Eiffel Tower.

And would the Jules Verne restaurant really set me back for USD300 a person???

Hi Z,

>would the Jules Verne restaurant really set me back for USD300 a person???<

Not necessarily.

There is a fixed price lunch for about 50E + wine.

ON the Tower - daytime is good, with the shortest queues at opening.

SEEING the Tower - sundown into night is best from somewhere else, such as the Trocadéro or Tour Montparnasse. Evening at the Tower is a zoo.

Hi Zizz, What time of year are you going? We were there last Sept. and walked right on to the elevator. I think it was aroun 8pm. Have fun on your trip!

You'll want to get a ticket before 8:00 because you won't be able to get to the top because they stop selling tickets.

From http://217.174.199.22/teiffel/uk/pra...nt_visite.html

"The Eiffel Tower is open every day from 9.30 a.m. to 11.45 p.m. (from 9 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. during the summer months). The last entrance tickets are sold 45 minutes before the monument closes.
The last ascent to the top of the tower departs at 10.30 p.m. (11.00 during the summer), except where the tower is closed early because of large numbers of visitors."

I opt for day, but see below.

We (2) ate lunch at Jules Verne in November 2004 for 197 Euro. This included kir royales, a prix fixe lunches and wine. It was a great way to celebrate a milestone birhday. Everyone was so attentive and the food was good!

We had a great time. We've been to the top, but I prefer going to the top of the Montparnasse Tower. The view is so much better - no Montparnasse Tower!

Thanks for all the replies. We'll be there mid-June. I read somewhere that night time would also be good as the daytrippers would be gone by then.

I've been there in mid-June and it was absolutely clogged until the minute they closed.