The Eiffel Tower: Tickets, Best Views, and When It Sparkles
Everything you need to know before visiting Paris's defining landmark — ticket options, the best viewing spots, and when the hourly light show runs.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower
Completed in 1889 for the World's Fair, the Eiffel Tower remains Paris's defining landmark and one of the most visited paid monuments on Earth. Three levels are open to visitors, with the first two reachable by stairs or elevator and the summit (the third level) accessible only by elevator. Most visitors don't need to reach the very top to get a worthwhile view — the second level already offers a sweeping panorama of the city at a lower price and with shorter lines.
Ticket Options
| Level | Access | Approx. Price (adult) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st & 2nd floor (stairs) | Stairs only, no elevator | €11.65 |
| 1st & 2nd floor (elevator) | Elevator access | €18.10 |
| Summit (elevator) | Elevator to 2nd floor, then summit elevator | €28.30 |
Book tickets online in advance for a specific time slot — walk-up lines, especially for elevator access, can run 1–2 hours or more in peak season.
When It Sparkles
Every evening, on the hour, for five minutes, the tower is covered in thousands of flashing lights in addition to its regular golden illumination — a display that's run continuously since the turn of the millennium. The sparkle show is visible from almost anywhere with a clear line of sight to the tower, not just from directly underneath it, so it's worth timing an evening walk along the Seine or a spot on the Trocadéro to catch it.
Best Viewing Spots
Trocadéro, directly across the Seine, gives the classic full-tower photo with the tower centered and the fountains of the Jardins du Trocadéro in the foreground. The Champ de Mars, the park at the tower's base, is better for a picnic-style visit but gives a much steeper, less flattering angle for photos.
