The Eiffel Tower in Paris… The most iconic building in Paris that rises far above the skyline. No visit to Paris is complete without admiring the Eiffel Tower and we tell you everything you need to know about the symbol of Paris!
This practical visitor guide of the Eiffel Tower in Paris includes a brief history, quick fun facts, hotel and restaurant tips near the Eiffel Tower, and insider tips. Follow our lead and your trip to Paris will become unforgettable!
About the Eiffel Tower in Paris: A brief history.
When was Eiffel Tower built: Built in honor of the 1889 World's Fair, the Eiffel Tower was designed by two engineers who worked for Gustave Eiffel. The tower was officially inaugurated on March 31, 1889
Gustave Eiffel, with the help of 300 workers and 50 engineers, got the Eiffel Tower off the ground in just over 2 years: a record time! In comparison, the construction of the Millau Viaduct from 2004 took 3 years and involved 600 employees at its peak.
After 2 years of construction, the tower would only last 20 years. And the tower was not warmly received by the French themselves. A group of famous French writers even started a petition for the rapid demolition of the “tragic lamppost”. They felt that the unnecessary construction of the monstrous tower would spoil the famous and beautiful face of the city. The tower would shame the historical monuments and the city of Paris. Eiffel, however, did not care.
Fortunately for the tower and the tourists, radio communication increased and the high tower was used as a transmission tower. And so an antenna was placed on top of the Eiffel Tower. This allowed German radio traffic to be disrupted and overheard from a great height during the First World War.
From the 1970s, the Eiffel Tower became more and more famous and attracts more tourists, it was then, together with the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe, one of the most famous monuments in Paris. Today, the iconic Eiffel Tower is seen as thé symbol of Paris and is even one of the most famous monuments in the world!
By the way, if you want to know where to stay in Paris, check out our recommendations for great hotels, hostels, and Airbnb rentals.
How tall is the Eiffel Tower
It's time for some quick fun facts. Let's start with the most frequently asked question, the obvious one; how tall is the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower is 324 meters/1063 ft tall if you include the antenna at the top. Without the antenna, the tower has a height of 317 meters/1040 ft. A fun fact is that the Eiffel Tower is 18 to 20 centimeters longer in warm weather than when it is cold.
Today the tower receives almost seven million visitors annually, making it the most visited monument in the world! In 2019, the tower even received its 250 millionth visitor!
Strangely enough, you don't have the best view from the Eiffel Tower from the third floor, but from the second. Firstly, this is the only viewing platform without a fence in front of it (the most favorable spot for photos). And secondly, the city also has a better perspective from this height (less small-scale and flattened) than from the top.
There is an annual stair climbing competition on the Eiffel Tower: La Verticale. Normally only the first and second floors are accessible on foot, those are 670 steps. For the last part to the top of your visit, you have to take the elevator. In addition, the riders of La Verticale are allowed to go all the way to the top! The record for taking those 1,665 steps now stands at 7.48 minutes!
The Eiffel Tower has not always been brown. In 1889 the tower had a yellow color for a short time and from 1954 to 1961 the icon was painted in a brown-red color. The tower is painted every 7 years, which takes 7 years. It is a cycle that is continuous.
Your bucket-list location is waiting for you. But first, you´ll need a ticket up in the air!
The best places to view the Eiffel Tower
> Rue de Universite: A beautiful Parisian street where the Eiffel Tower glimpses in between
> Champ-de-Mars: Have a picnic in the green park around the Eiffel Tower
> Palais de Chaillot: A stately view from the marble square, which is elevated from the Tower
Hotel near the Eiffel Tower
When staying in a dream location like romantic Paris, you also need a perfect hotel to stay in. We’ve made a handy list of the best hotels in Paris near the Eiffel Tower, so you don’t have to scour the internet finding a picture-perfect place to stay.
> > The 7 best luxury hotels in Paris
> > The 7 best Airbnb rentals in Paris
Restaurant near the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower itself has a chic restaurant on the 2nd floor: Le Jules Verne, by top chef Frédéric Anton. In that restaurant, an average of 2 marriage proposals takes place per day. And you have to book at least 3 months in advance for a table by the window. But the disadvantage of dining in the Tower itself is that you no longer have a view of the beautiful Eiffel Tower. It is much nicer to have dinner in a restaurant with a view of the symbol of Paris and then propose to you Amour!
The following restaurants do have a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower during your romantic dinner:
Restaurant Le Ciel de Paris. This restaurant offers a view of the world-famous Eiffel Tower. You are here at a height of 200 meters!
Adress: Tour Maine Montparnasse 56 ème etage 33, avenue du Maine 75015 Paris
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Le New york. Authentic Parisian brasserie with an Eiffel Tower view. Less expensive than most restaurants with a view of the Tower.
Adress: 48 Avenue de New York 75116 Parijs
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Les Ombres. Located on the roof terrace, the restaurant LES OMBRES offers a unique panoramic view of Paris.
Address: 27 Quai Branly, 75007 Parijs
Website
The Eiffel Tower at night
The Eiffel Tower is open from 09:00 am till 00:45 am. Therefore you can choose to admire Paris by day or by night. Especially in the evening, it is recommended to view this attraction with a spectacular light show! Because when it is dark, the Eiffel Tower is illuminated. Flickering lights, laser beams, and searchlights are turned on, making the tower almost seem to glitter. You are guaranteed to get a wow-feeling!
This was first done on New Years' Eve 2000 and was received with such enthusiasm that it was subsequently decided to do this every night. Romance at its best!
ps; looking for a great hotel, hostel, or Airbnb rental in Paris? We got you!
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