Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Arrive at the tower 10 minutes before your entry time and look for either of the two
entrancesmarked
VisiteursavecReservation
(VisitorswithReservation),whereattendants
scan your ticket and put you on the first available elevator.
Other Tips for Avoiding Lines:
Crowds overwhelm this place much of the year,
with one- to two-hour waits to get in (unless it's rainy, when lines can evaporate). Week-
ends and holidays are worst, but prepare for ridiculous crowds almost any time. The best
solutionistomakeanonlinereservation(seeearlier)andtotakethestairsdown(fromfirst
or second levels). If you don't have a reservation, go early; get in line 30 minutes before
thetoweropens.Goinglateristhenext-bestbet(after19:00May-Aug,after17:00off-sea-
son, a bit earlier in winter as it gets dark by 17:00). When you buy tickets, all members of
your party must be with you; you can't buy tickets in advance for people not present.
You can bypass some (but not all) lines if you have a reservation at either of the
tower's view restaurants or hike the stairs.
When to Go:
For the best of all worlds, arrive with enough light to see the views,
then stay as it gets dark to see the lights. The views are grand whether you ascend or not.
At the top of the hour, a five-minute display features thousands of sparkling lights (best
viewed from Place du Trocadéro or the grassy park below).
Getting There:
The tower is about a 10-minute walk from the Métro (Bir-Hakeim
or Trocadéro stops) or train (Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel RER stop). The Ecole Militaire
Métro stop in the Rue Cler area is 20 minutes away. Buses #69 and #87 stop nearby on
Avenue Joseph Bouvard in the Champ de Mars park.
Information:
Tel. 01 44 11 23 23,
www.tour-eiffel.fr
.
Pickpockets:
Beware. Street thieves plunder awestruck visitors gawking below the
tower.Andtouristsincrowdedelevatorsarelikefishinabarrelforpredatorypickpockets.
En garde.
There's a police station at the Jules Verne pillar.
Security Check:
Bags larger than 19” × 8” × 12” are not allowed, but there is no
baggage check. All bags are subject to a security search. No knives, glass bottles, or cans
are permitted.
Services:
Free WCs are at the base of the tower, behind the east pillar. Inside the
tower itself, WCs are on all levels, but they're small, with long lines.
Best Views of the Tower:
The best place to view the tower is from Place du Tro-
cadéro to the north. It's a 10-minute walk across the river, a happening scene at night, and
especially fun for kids. Consider arriving at the Trocadéro Métro stop for the view, then
walking toward the tower. Another delightful viewpoint is from the Champ de Mars park
to the south.
Background:
Built on the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution (and in the
spirit of the Industrial Revolution), the tower was the centerpiece of a World Expo de-
