Been to Paris about 12 times when I was a childe and never really appreciated the beauty but just finally came back as a millennial 20-something and my lord it's a must see. The park is amazing to sit at and stare at the tour while drinking a bottle of gamay and reading a book. Paris always is a bonne time read more

This is perhaps the most famous place in Paris and is definitely worth visiting. I went on a tour and got to bypass the line. However the tour did not give us that much time to spend inside the tower. I would like to go back sometime and explore it more thoroughly. read more

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It really is thrilling to see it in person! The first time my friends and I came up on it it was dusk and the lights were just starting to come up--beautiful. We admired it some more from one of the outdoor cafes nearby and planned to go up a couple of days later during the day for a better view. We got there around 11am on a Friday and there was already a massive line. Sigh, but it is what it is and we resigned ourselves. After going through the wringer of the lines, two security checks and the sardine elevators, the view didn't seem all that grand from the crowded platforms. We wanted to go up to the very top but it turned out we'd need to wait at least an hour (maybe more) to get a ticket and we really didn't feel like sticking around that long. We thought maybe we could just walk down the whole way but you're forced to take the elevator down from first floor to the ground floor, and those elevators were REALLY packed, and this girl right next to us had really bad b.o., ew. All in all I'm glad I went up, but I really don't feel the need to ever go up again. I will be perfectly content to admire it from the ground in the future. STEPH JUDGEMENT: An amazing iconic building, but I don't see a need to go up more than once. read more

Like another Yelper I did not actually go up into the tower. It was a Sunday and the start of the Tour de France. Much to long a line to wait. But like other have sad " It's the freakin Eiffel Tower ! " Just standing under it make you appreciate not only the engineering and construction of it , but the appeal of being around something that everyone just has to look at. Plus i kept imagining every monster, Alien movie and end of the world flick where it gets destroyed ...lol I wish I could have been there with my girlfriend because it is automatically romantic being the shadow of it. I had not seen that much open display of kissing and groping outside of a Bliss Party. Plus, what cool is that is such a normal thing there that you can see if from the subway - le metro while its running also. There is a roof top hotel bar that I went to that I saw it light up at - Night - this is a must see. read more

.....and so the 100th review of the Eiffel Tower will be my 1,000th review on Yelp. Quite simply the most breathtaking man made structure I have ever seen in person - it isn't just an architectural masterpiece, it is a landmark like no other - an icon visible from nearly everywhere in Paris. If you have one day in Paris, see it, and if you have time see it both day and night. read more

You can't be in Paris for the first time and not go visit the Eiffel Tower. It's one of those iconic landmarks you HAVE to visit at least once in your lifetime. And it's worth it! The bf wanted to climb the stairs to the second level and then take an elevator to the third for the views. So we did. I huffed and puffed my way up the first and second levels, enjoying the scenic views of Paris. Then we got tickets from a small machine and waited in line for the elevators that go all the way up to the third level. And the view is fantastic! You see all of Paris from there. There are some improvements that wasn't there when the bf visited. Such as the champagne bar where you can buy two flutes and toast the dipping sun for that gorgeous sunset and watch the City of Love light up. Then take the elevator all the way down to the ground floor and watch the tower sparkle in the night. The lights twinkle once an hour. It's pretty amazing and I loved the sparkling effect! read more

My time at Tower Eiffel was limited due to the fact that I traveled with my 2 year old son. I only had 2 days in Paris - so I booked an all day tour which included a stop here - complete with tickets and skipping those horrid lines (well worth it).... Took the lift to the main level and the views were fantastic... My son made friends with a few other toddlers.. one in particular from Argentina *he had his eyes on her since 9am - on the tour bus... ha.... must be the Parisian air... I'm a New Yorker - so I ignored all of the scam artists and my stiff looks kept them far. I think I may have growled at a few... We walked around the viewing area for 30 minutes or so.. picked up some sandwiches and drinks.. and a few souvenirs from the gift shop.... and headed back down ..and onto the grass for a proper picnic.. where we could gaze up at her beauty... I think that was my most enjoyable time in Paris... sitting on the grass... watching my son run in circles around the trees...carefree....yelling "Tower Eiffel Mummy".... while I had a spread of croque monsieur's...pear tarts..sausages...and fruit sprawled out on my pashmina.... It was early October - but it was 72 degrees F.... perfect.. warm...and with a breeze. I could have slept under that tree and stared for ages... if we didn't have to catch our River Boat Cruise before it got too late. When my son is older - we will return and experience her at night....my only regret was not seeing Paris lit up..in all of her glory....from what I've read... everyone speaks highly of experiencing the Tower Eiffel at night... and pictures speak a thousands words.... I promise to return again... A must see for anyone visiting Paris for the first time... no matter how tight your schedule may be.... make time for her. read more

What can I say it's the Eiffel tower, it's grand and the lines are quite long. If your planning on going up to the top, I recommend booking online and buying tickets in advance. On a nice day it's the perfect area to have a picnic in. Grab a baguette, cheese and fruit and your winning. You'll have some great pictures and memories that will last a lifetime. Lines for the public bathrooms can be quite long. Make sure you get in line with ample time. read more

A trip to Paris is incomplete without a trip to the Eiffel Tower. The tower is one of the world's most famous and recognizable landmarks, and though it's a great piece of work to admire from afar, it's also worth the somewhat hectic and expensive visit. Even without the help of a giant monument to lead your way, you'll know you're approaching the Eiffel Tower by the throng of tourists and the line of identical vendors trying to lure the throng with Eiffel Tower keychains, figures, and glowing toys. At the tower's base, the crowd actually diffuses a bit - the base is so vast and unobstructed by anything but the Eiffel's four feet, that despite the number of people, it's relatively easy to breathe. You can take a picture with the Eiffel Tower without four people photobombing it to the ground. The tickets are kind of pricey, since you have to buy separate ones to go to the second and top levels. €8.10 is the adult fare for the elevator to the second level, and it's an extra €13.10 to get to the top. I would strongly recommend taking the stairs. Not only do you save a few coins, as the stairway fare to the second level is €4.50, but the line is shorter, you don't have to rub up against anyone, and if you're a binge-eating American tourist like me, you can probably afford to burn off some croissant. I've gone up both ways and the stairs are more enjoyable. Also? Not that strenuous - less than 700 steps. My mom and I planned to spend a whole morning climbing the damn thing, and it took just a little more than ten minutes. Of course, climbing all the way to the top would be another story, but that isn't an option. You still have to wait in line for the elevator if you want to get to the highest level. Which you should. The view from the top is spectacular - 360 degrees of one of the most beautiful cities on Earth. It's crowded, but you have freedom to move about so you can take in the panoramic views. Inside the top level there are souvenir shops as well as all sorts of historical notes written for the tourist's benefit, but I haven't really found the time to be interested with the amazing scene outside. On my most recent trip to Paris, unfortunately, I tried twice to go to Eiffel Tower and failed on both occasions. The first time, the stairs were closed so we decided to come back later. When we came back another day, with a mind to go up the tower at night, the top level was closed and we decided to go home. Disappointing, but I suppose as long as I'm back in Paris, I'll visit the Eiffel Tower again. read more

Going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower is like going to Vegas and not gambling...you just can't avoid it. The Eiffel Tower was my absolute favorite part of my trip to France. DO NOT miss this! I would recommend that everyone see it at least once in their life. The views of Paris from the tower are amazing. It really gives a new perspective to how beautiful the city really is. As others have mentioned, the lines are really, really, REALLY long, so do not come here expecting a quick visit unless you are willing to pay extra. I can't wait to get back to Paris to see this beautiful structure again. read more

Ok, let me clarify the rating. The tower itself gets 5 stars, of course. It's magnificent, a world landmark - the star of Paris. However, the experience of getting up there gets about a 1 star - at least, the way we did it. So I had to average it to about a 3. The middle of summer in Paris, is BUSY. I'm understating it. It's a mob scene, especially at the Eiffel Tower. We waited on line for HOURS. Literally, hours. We got tickets, then waited on another hideous line to go up to the middle of the tower. Then, we waited on an absurdly long line to get up to the top. The view from the top was very lovely, but frankly, it was somewhat spoiled by being smushed into the observation tower with hundreds of other people. Not so enjoyable. We then waited on line AGAIN to go downstairs. The entire process took about 4 1/2 hours, all for about 15 minutes of actual view time. Not worth it. Had I been smarter, I would have read all the Yelp reviews and realized that a) I should have bought tickets online and b) I should have gone at dusk. Next time. For now, I would not recommend doing it the way we did. Be smarter! It really ruined my experience the way I did it. read more

A must see place if you are in Paris which you should see it both at night time, during the day, and also sunrise/sunset. Make sure you book online before you go and going all the way up the top and having champagne at the top is highly recommended. Oh and if you want some exercise, try walking up the stairs. Its bound to give you a good workout and great for avoiding the long queues and pickpockets in the lifts! read more

Okay--honestly, I think the view is better from the ground than from their observation deck (because after a while, don't all the observation decks look the same?). For a landmark that is so famous, I was still truly blown away when I saw it in person. Absolutely stunning. Seriously. The movies, the pictures really don't do justice like seeing it in person. Logistics: -If you DO want to stand in line, be prepared to wait. We came at 9:20PM and still waited 45 min just to take the elevator up to the observation deck. There's also apparently stairs that you can take as well (they're on the opposite side, diagonal to the line for the elevator). -Whether it's day or night, definitely try to walk to the parks on either side to see it from further away to take in all it's glory. I mean honestly, you can't come to Paris and NOT see this thing. It's pretty awesome. read more

One piece of advice: Wait for the elevator! The five kids in our group - myself included - got the brilliant idea to CLIMB the Eiffel Tower. We did successfully make it up the first level. But then we thought like we were going to die! The lifts were stuffed like sardine cans, but the little bit of displeasure were well worth the pleasurable views you get once you get to the top. You really can see for what seems like forever. And there's no to describe it other than amazing. We also got to look at it from a boat on the Seine when it was sparkling. No picture or movie or poster or coffee mug or t-shirt or magazine can really portray the experience that is the Tour Eiffel. It's an absolute must go, not to be missed. read more

Somehow I never reviewed the Eiffel Tower. It's an amazing view and there's an elevator to the top. You don't have to go all the way up to level 3 but you should. Tips: Buy the tickets online. Go to the top. Bring a sweater. Take pictures. After you come down, be sure to see the tower at night, ideally from one of the bateaux mouches in the Seine. This can be surprisingly difficult if you're in Paris on a business trip in late-June when the sun never seems to set. read more

Never ceases to amaze me. Such an iconic and beautiful monument. Gorgeous by day, gorgeous by night. Gorgeous anytime of year! During the summer, bring a blanket and a picnic and just gaze up at her beauty. On a chilly winter night, bring a blanket and cuddle up on a park bench and enjoy the light show. The first time I visited, I never actually went up the tower as I was told that the view was not that impressive. Everyone said that being in Paris meant seeing the Eiffel Tower and if you are in it... you'll be missing a view of the most important thing in town! The second time I went, I had to make it to the top, and it was by far my favorite part of the trip. There is a even a little champagne bar when you make it up to the top that is so fun to visit. The view was astonishing. It was freezing and raining, and it was perfect. A truly magnificent place to visit, no matter how you do it! read more

Although it's very touristy I would say do it. When I'm Paris ...why not. We paid the money for the skip the line tour, worth every penny. The elevators to get to the top are impressive. Get ready to wait in line. It's bigger then you expect from the inside. read more

How do you not go to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower?? The most famous landmark in France. Just walking towards it is breathtaking. I went during sunset during the summer and had one of the most beautiful views. Taking the elevator up was also an experience as it goes up on a slope. You can go up to the first level and then all the way up to the top. The first level is open to the atmosphere so you can walk around and get some amazing pictures of Paris. You can see the entire city from this level and it was gorgeous as the sun was setting. At the top, they have major cities in the world and the distances to each city from the Eiffel Tower which is really cool. By the time I got up there, it was night and wasn't as nice as when the sun had just started setting but it was still very nice. read more

There is really something magical about this place. I travel a lot and seeing landmarks really is not something that shocks me. I don't know what it is about this place but it's just beautiful! We went in the off season and it was decently busy to go scale the tower. We had reservations at tour 58 so we were able to skip the line and go into a special entrance. I am definitely going to have to go back to here. Oh and make sure to see it at night as well and be there on the hour! read more

Pretty and all but I couldn't go up because they were on strike. 3 stars Just kidding. I gotta say the Eiffel is one of the few things that has really lived up to the hype in my travels. What really gets me is just how WIDE it is at it's base which is rather hard to convey in photography. I managed to go on a very clear night and while I am very bummed that I did not get a chance to ride up the tower (especially after walking there from the 9th district) it was worth the time. I was also a fan of how quiet some of the surrounding areas were. A few hundred feet away there was a quiet park with a few benches that gave a great view of the tower without the crowds. Next time I am in Paris I will revisit with the hopes of being able to go to the second deck. read more

Skip the elevator/lift line/queue and climb the stairs. Magnificent views of a beautiful city. Champagne a ripoff. read more

This is absolutely something you have to do your first trip to Paris and I recommend doing it in the evening/night once the tower is lit up! The elevators up are quite crowded, especially the smaller one to the Too and the line to get back down is very long so be prepared. The view from the top is incredible. However, the most breathtaking view is from the park across the street at night with the lights. At the top of the hour every hour the tower sparkles for 5 minutes! read more

When we arrived in Paris (my first time back in 2007), it was raining and gloomy. Checked into our hotel and wanted to sleep because I was so tired from the plane ride (halfway around the earth!) Woke up about 4-hours later than we wanted to. The rain had stopped, and we were ready to experience Paris. We had dinner relatively close to our hotel and decided to walk the streets after. We had no map, no GPS, just the shining Eiffel Tower as our beacon in the night, shining through in between buildings and trees. On the way there we saw the tunnel where Princess Diana died. The night shots we got of the Eiffel in the distance were awesome. We finally arrived at around 2am. By then the lights were dark but the "night lights" were on, and you could walk right under the tower. There were a few other night owls there as well, along with some street vendors selling junk. It was very safe. While we couldn't take many clear pictures, it was the experience of it all. So memorable. We did go back a few days later during normal hours and boy was it jam-packed! We did manage to buy tickets and make our way to the very top. It was long and cold but so worth it! On our most recent trip there back in 2007 we ate at the 58 Tour Eiffel, which I have a review for on their Yelp page. read more

The view from the top is great! I will also say it was a bit scary, as it seemed like the building swayed a little. I truly apprreciated the beauty of this stucture from a distance also -it lights up the sky and this beauty rules the Paris syline! read more

Save your self hours of waiting on long lines by booking your tickets way in advanced. Also check your ticket to ensure you can go to the very top - not all tickets allow access up there. Bathrooms are also nonexistent. Our experience - Wait in line 30 minutes for initial security screening, enter plaza under Eiffel tower, choose one of 3 or 4 long lines to wait on; elevator only or stairs only, we choose stair only line and waited over an hour online to get to ticket window, at ticket window purchased only ticket offered to us, x-ray of belongings and non-dangerous items from purse permanently confiscated, climb 700 steps to second level; not bad and was fun, arrive at end of stairs only to find out that we do not have the appropriate ticket to get to the top. Upsetting and after 3+ hours there with no direction or clear signage we gave up. We had fun, we did it and it was beautiful - but absolutely book ahead and make sure you have a ticket to the top if you want to go up there. Staff was no where to be found and lack of signage or information in French or English which lead to all disappointments. Wish we had a clear expectation on wait time as we had a young child with us, explanation of items not allowed on tower to avoid confiscation a head of time and advisement of the appropriate ticket to the top to avoid letting our daughter down. BOOK AHEAD. read more

It's the Eiffel Tower! Advance tickets were sold out well ahead of time on the website, so we just walked around, took pictures, people-watched and relaxed on the lawn for a little while. We'd already walked 5+ miles to get here, so the prospect of waiting in line and climbing stairs to the top (the elevator is cheating!) was too daunting. It was all a bit overrated to me, but then again, I'm not mad about Paris the way that I am about London or some of the other cities that we visited. read more

You can't visit Paris without going up the Eiffel Tower. It is one of the most famous landmarks and it is a must-do for any tourist visiting Paris. We only went up to the 2nd level since we were part of a tour group. The views are awesome, but I am sure it would be even better up at the top. Next time I am in Paris I will have to go to the top. One of the benefits of being part of a tour group is that you don't have to wait in the long lines to buy a ticket. You have a reserved time to go up. We took the elevator, but if you are crazy enough...you can take the stairs up. I think the admission is cheaper, but you have to exert more energy. I did take the stairs down, which isn't as bad, but it is a lot of steps to go down....it'll take about 15-20 minutes to get down from the 2nd level. Beware of the gypsy girls down below who ask if you speak English and then gank your money, as well as the over-aggressive street vendors trying to hawk their Eiffel Tower souvenirs and won't take "no" for an answer. Other than that, the site is well-worth checking out. I heard designated times at night, the tower has twinkling lights that turn on and make the tower even more special. Magnifique! read more

The Eiffel Tower is a must see when visiting Paris. Most tourists will stand underneath and take pictures from the bottom up. During this trip we went to the top and took pictures from the top floor to the ground of Paris. AMAZING VIEW. I definitely think if you're taking the trip to the Eiffel Tower you should head to the top! Although, the champagne is not good and it is pricey for bad champagne. read more

La Tour Eiffel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Paris, 75

Who could give the Eiffel Tower one star? LMFAO I tried it at first on a night jog from the apartment. OOH LALA! Lady Paris is becoming in the dark ;) ;) A week later I tried visiting it it in the morning. Espresso, Croissant du Chocolat, and and Chicken curry croissant in hand, not as lovely, BOO. I recommend the water bus. Fun way to get around. I dont enjoy the tourist crap so much. So no reports on that. Over all it deserves 5 stars. I mean, its the most widely visited landmark on the GLOBE! Its funny to look back in history to all the conservatives who wrote angry letters about it being such an eyesore. I guess some things never change. read more

A dream come true!! That was how we felt when we saw the Eiffel Tower in person! It did not disappoint! We went there during the off-peak season in November so there were no lines or crowds of people at all. It was a bit chilly, but well worth it! Felt like we had the place to ourselves when we went to check the views of Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Seeing the Eiffel Tower in person is a whole lot better than seeing it in photos and in the movies! Hope to visit it once again in the future. Best times to go are during those off-peak seasonal times like October or November. read more

Obviously the Eiffel Tower is an absolute must see in Paris, and in my opinion the best way to see it is all lit up at night. We were only in Paris for 3 days so our schedule was jam packed and we didn't want to spend half our day here so we didn't go up to the top. I'm sure the views are great, but it just didn't make the cut for this trip. The lines are ridiculously long so I strongly recommend booking ahead or finding alternate routes up if that's what you really want to do. (I've heard there is some kind of underground tour option and also the option to walk part of the way and then grab an elevator the rest of the way). We saw Eiffel multiple times during the day from Sacre Couer, on a bus tour, and on a Seine river cruise at dusk. The lighting around dusk/sunset is really beautiful and a good time to get some great pictures. On our last night in Paris we took the metro to the Trocadero stop and just walked up the station's stairs to see Eiffel in all her beautiful, sparkling glory. There are tons of guys trying to sell you things here and possibly trying to pick your pockets, so just be aware and keep your belongings secure. Lots of people gather around the front railings when the light show begins every hour, but once that is over the crowd thins out and you might just be able to snap a couple pictures without total strangers on either side of you. Another great option is to park yourselves somewhere on the large grassy area of Champ de Mars, maybe pack a little picnic with some wine, and gaze at Eiffel from there. I'll definitely be going with this option if we ever make it back to Paris again! read more

You'll be queuing for ages to climb the beautiful girl, but it is well worth the wait! The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable structures in the world, and is portrayed as one of the most romantic. People pilgrimage from across the world just to see her, but I would fully recommend going up the tower for the spectacular view of Paris from the top. I visited here with my ex and even though we weren't the most overtly romantic couple ever, it was an unforgettable experience that he enjoyed as much as I. We didn't go all the way up to the top, opting instead to tackle the stairs up to the second level. It was an awesome challenge and we were rewarded at the top with an absolutely stunning view of Paris at night. The tower sparkles blue, or at least it did when I was there, but the pretty lights of the tower that are visible all over Paris don't get in the way of the amazing view when you're up there. The twinkling, winking lights of the city blew me away. There's a restaurant at the top if you're feeling brave. Even if you are afraid of heights I would strongly suggest putting your fears to one side, it's one of the sights most worth seeing in the world. I felt happy enough to be in the city where I could see the Eiffel Tower lighting up the night sky, but for the small price I paid to actually climb the Eiffel Tower, it was priceless. read more

A mid-sized tower with limited view and minimal efficiency in terms of space and functionality. We'd heard about this from a documentary film on the 1889 World's Fair and decided to venture to this area of the city with hopes of checking it out. It's not incredibly easy to find, particularly with the multitude of buildings and open park spaces obscuring it from view. It turns out that the rumour that every baguette in the city is held in a manner that points in the direction to the tower is not true. Eventually we found it best to enquire with a local by asking "Where is the 1889 World's Fair thing?" in public as loud as possible without looking too confused or frustrated. The unique form of this structure is best appreciated on a much more digestible level from any one of a number of artisans who create customized miniature versions of this building and sell them from carts nearby. To be entirely honest, some of these are much nicer than the actual tower itself. We particularly enjoyed the one made of crystals and the one that was themed as Hello Kitty. (Ha. What a crazy cat!) The building itself left us with much to be desired. There was no swimming pool nor was there any place to buy commemorative plaques from the equestrian exhibits from the world's fair. We kept searching for the Galerie Des Machines, only to discover that it had been replaced with yet another park. It's like these people have no respect for engineering or history. Surprisingly, we were not the only people who were curious to go to the top of this makeshift obelisk. The lineup was considerably long and they had the audacity to charge us an admission fee just to walk inside the thing. When we reached the top, it was windy and cold. They really should consider installing plexiglas or perhaps wrapping the structure in a protective cellophane advertising wrap. The view was unremarkable, mainly because of the mind-numbing symmetry of the buildings, boulevards and gentile open spaces. We couldn't even see the ocean. You should be warned, unless you have a very large selfie-stick pole, you will not be able to take usable pictures of yourself on this decidedly off-the-beaten-path destination. read more

Such a beautiful attraction. I went here part of a 6 country 2 continent vacation. During the summer month of june you must be aware of their soccer championship. The tickets are absolutely sold out for a minimum two weeks ahead of time. The structure is amazing, with a beautiful view of france. The police around the grounds were friendly and i even took pictures laying down om the street and sidewalk. The tower is close to restruants, that range in price. My girlfriend has a chicken (poulite) sandwitch and i had the tuna. Theres a also a beautiful winery where you can purchase bottles of vino for 4 euro.. amazing experience must go. read more

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Eiffel Tower at night..... i get it now. It has a certain appeal to it. You don't need reservations to go to the top, that's only for tours. Just save your money. They light it up at night and they also have light flashing all over it.The view of the city from teh top is amazing. I understand why Paris is called, "the city of lights." Don't spend all your time behind the camera, actually spend some time enjoying the view and looking around. Pictures won't do it justice. So just take them with you mentally. We also saw the cliche' marriage proposal. Yes, someone decided to propose here, like every other night. The girl wasn't surprised, all her friends were in on it and she knew what was going on. It was probably her idea. read more

I visited Paris in 2005. Fortunately, I'd booked a tour when I booked my flight and hotel. Started the tour on a bus riding around, seeing the sites... Then we disembarked at the glorious Eiffel Tower. The lines were CRAZY! Our tour guide strolled up to somebody, said something and, voila, we were getting on an elevator on our way up to the 2nd floor! The tour guide explained that Paris is very a flat city and that going to all the way up to the 3rd floor wasn't necessary. From the 2nd floor, everything was gorgeous. After walking the perimeter, instead of going to the first floor via elevator (which was packed anyways), I took the stairs. In some strange way, it made my Eiffel Tower experience twice as nice. I mailed my mother a post card with a photo of the Eiffel Tower from the first floor with one simple sentence; "Je suis ici!" I walked by the restaurant and promised myself that when I returned, I'd have a meal there. When I do, I'll definitely Yelp about it! read more

Who goes to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower? It is such a symbolic monument. Lunching on the surrounding lawns, just lounging about, taking the journey to the spire and seeing all the city around you...it's a great experience. read more

"Wonderful place, very packed. Although, i do not know why I thought that t would be bigger. When you reach the top, the views of the city are just breath taking." - Ansel Ponce Diama read more

La Tour Eiffel - "Love it" - Ansel Ponce Diama - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Paris, 75

Just make sure you go with someone you love, or buy your tickets online, in advance - because you are going to be spending a hell of a long time with them in a queue that moves at a snail's pace. A word to the wise - book online. If you find yourself in my position, "along for the ride on this trip" and willing to let the day take you where you may, then follow this wisdom - don't get in the really long line with the elevator to the 3rd floor. Why? Because an hour and a half into your wait, they will closed down the elevator to the top because it's too crowded, and then you will only be able to get to the second floor. If only we had know to take the tower with no wait and walk to the second and then buy a ticket from the second platform to the 3rd we could have spared each other the company of us and those directly in front and behind us...plus I could have called it a day for my work out. Alas we waited for hours, ellied up to the 2nd, got dizzy then I sprayed anti bacterial (lavender from Williams Sonoma) on my hands and went back down. I'm gonna do it, and maybe this is the period talking, but I'm actually giving the Tour Eiffel THREE STARS. That's it! read more

DO THE STAIRS! If you are ever planning to go to the Eiffel Tower and are able to climb stairs: Get out of that neverending elevator line that will suck your soul out of you as it inches along killing your time in Paris and walk over to the stairs line. If you are like most people who were unable to reserve ahead of time (the Eiffel now releases some tickets beforehand which get gobbled up rather quickly) then you were like me who got up early to discover getting up earlier only meant you were disappointed earlier in the day. I went there around 9-ish to find a line wrapping outside of the entrance down the street! We were so confused we thought that it was for something else and passed all the people to go inside the entrance only to find NOPE, that IS THE LINE! So I hopped in it frantically and waited....and waited...2 hours passed and we were maybe 1/3 closer? My husband looked at me and I was starting to feel that pricklng teariness behind my eyes (hey, you stand in the freezing cold with pushy people wondering if / hoping it's all worth it to be spending a full day of your limited vacation time in line to go up a tower)....and then I heard it "They say it's another 5 hours from where we are standing." .... "Let's go." It simply was not going to be worth it to lose a whole day of our 3 days in Paris to just standing around. We decided we would get up earlier the next day and hope the lines were better. But, then as we were walking out, my dear husband (who knowing how disappointed I was, was trying to find a solution) asked some folks in the stairs line getting ready to enter how long they had waited from the end of the line to the front - 20 minutes!!! What?! Why did nobody tell me this earlier?? The line moves so much faster! We took some quick pics outside of the Tower and then hopped in line. About 30 minutes later we were buying tickets and 30 minutes later we were on the 2nd level after getting through security and climbing the approx. 700 steps. Another short elevator line up to the top and we were up and down within 2 hours. Was it worth it? I honestly don't know. The view from the top is obscured by the fencing and that whole wait time is ridick. I actually think the views from Sacre Cleur are more worth it (and free!!!). But it's one of those things, you "gotta do once." Glad I did but have no need to ever do again. read more