First floor — 57 m
A glass floor you look straight down through, cafés and a restaurant, exhibits on the tower's history, and places to sit. Less crowded than the second floor.
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The Eiffel Tower is the best-known landmark in Paris and one of the defining symbols of France. It stands in the 7th arrondissement on the bank of the Seine, and visitors can go up to the first floor, the second floor and the summit for panoramic views over the city. It was built in 1889 for the World's Fair and stands about 330 metres tall today, antennas included. A visit covers three levels: the first floor at 57 metres, with a glass floor, cafés and exhibits; the second at 116 metres, the best level for close views of the Paris landmarks; and the summit at 276 metres, reached by lift from the second floor. Tickets differ by level and by how you go up — stairs, lift, or a combination of both. The tower was designed to be temporary and dismantled after twenty years, but it survived because its antennas proved useful for radio transmission. After dark it sparkles for five minutes at the start of every hour, a sight worth timing your visit around. Booking ahead on the official site is strongly advised, particularly in peak season, though tickets are still sold at the on-site ticket office on the day, subject to availability.
A glass floor you look straight down through, cafés and a restaurant, exhibits on the tower's history, and places to sit. Less crowded than the second floor.
The best level for the view: close enough to pick out the Paris landmarks, far enough to see them as a whole. The lift to the summit goes from here.
The highest point open to visitors, reached by lift from the second floor. It holds a recreation of Gustave Eiffel's office and a champagne bar. Not accessible to visitors with limited mobility.
Once night falls the tower sparkles for five minutes at the start of every hour until closing, with the timing shifting by season. Best watched from Trocadéro or the Champ de Mars.
5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris
Suggested itinerary
Champ de MarsThe Champ de Mars is Paris's green carpet, unrolled at the feet of the Eiffel To4 minutes walk4.5
Musée du quai BranlyFive minutes from the Eiffel Tower stands Paris's most different museum: the Qua4 minutes walk4.5
jardins du TrocadéroIf Paris has an official balcony for receiving guests, it is the Trocadéro garde6 minutes walk4.7
Chaillot PalaceThe two curved wings embracing the Trocadéro plaza are the Palais de Chaillot, b8 minutes walk4.5
Musée National de la MarineIt occupies the wing facing the Musée de l'Homme in the **Palais de Chaillot** a8 minutes walk4.5Looking for halal food near Eiffel Tower? There are several options nearby, from Moroccan and Indian kitchens to quick casual spots and places with a view. Confirm the halal status and opening hours before you go — these can change.
New JawadHalalNew Jawad is an Indo-Pakistani restaurant on Avenue Rapp, a short walk from the 6 minutes walk · $$$4.4Quai NedyHalalHalal international cooking with a view of the Eiffel Tower, which is what sets 18 minutes walk · $$$
Ministry of SpiceHalalModern halal Indian cooking, the sit-down option for an unhurried dinner. About 17 minutes walk · $$$
Berkeley GardenHalalHalal Indian cooking that suits families and group dinners, about eight minutes'8 minutes walk · $$$
Snack&RushHalalHalal fast food at budget prices, about five minutes' walk from the tower. The m5 minutes walk · $
Novotel Paris Centre Tour EiffelThe Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel is a large hotel on Quai de Grenelle, direc13 minutes walk · $$4.3Citadines Tour EiffelCitadines Tour Eiffel is not a hotel in the traditional sense but an aparthotel:14 minutes walk · $$4.1
Pullman Paris Tour EiffelThe Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel is genuinely the closest of the large Paris hotels4 minutes walk · $$$4.7
Four Seasons George VThe George V is the benchmark the rest of luxury Paris is measured against. It o16 minutes walk · $$$$4.9
The Peninsula ParisThe Peninsula Paris is a modern hotel inside an old building: the house dates to18 minutes walk · $$$$4.8It depends on the level and how you go up. For adults: stairs to the second floor €14.80, lift to the second floor €23.50, stairs then lift to the summit €28.00, and lift to the summit €36.70. Youth and child fares cost less, and prices change — check the official site before booking.
Booking on the official site ahead is strongly advised, especially in tourist season, because the slots people want sell out fast. Even so, tickets can be bought at the on-site office on the day, subject to availability. Note that from 29 September 2026 stairs tickets will require advance reservation.
You can climb 674 steps to the second floor — the cheapest route and often the quicker one, because the stairs queue is shorter. From the second floor you continue to the summit by lift; there is no public staircase to the summit. If you would rather ride from the bottom, there is a lift ticket to the second floor and another straight to the summit.
The first and second floors are reachable by lift and equipped for wheelchair users. The summit is not open to them, nor to anyone with limited mobility, for safety reasons — and neither are the stairs. Plan a visit that ends at the second floor, which is the better viewing level in any case.
To avoid crowds, take the first slot in the morning or a late evening one. To get both views, book about an hour before sunset: you see Paris in daylight, watch the sun go down, then come back to earth to see the tower lit from outside. After dark it sparkles for five minutes at the top of each hour.
Allow an hour and a half to three hours. It depends on your ticket, the wait at security and the lifts, and whether you go to the summit or eat in one of the tower's restaurants. A visit that stops at the second floor can be done in ninety minutes.
Trocadéro is the best-known spot, giving a wide view of the whole tower with Paris behind it. You can also shoot from the Champ de Mars in front, from the opposite bank of the Seine, or from the Bir-Hakeim bridge. Early morning is quieter; evening gives you the tower lit.
The address is 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris. By metro: Bir-Hakeim on line 6, Trocadéro on line 9 (best if you want the view first), or École Militaire on line 8. By RER: line C to Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel. Public transport is far easier than driving — parking is scarce and expensive.