Many claims that the Eiffel Tower has the best view of Paris. The tower is more than just a place to see the Paris skyline. There’s so much more. Its story is unique, starting with divisive beginnings and ending as a monument that embodies Parisian romance.

Gustave Eiffel, the architect responsible for the design and construction of the tower, would tell you that there is only one way to see it. It’s not something you can see, but it is something that you must experience. You can do this by climbing up it.

This article will tell you everything you need to know to enjoy the Eiffel tower on your Paris trip. This includes where to eat and how to get there.

Make Your Way to the Tower

The Champs-de-Mars or Trocadero provide unobstructed views from the top of the pillars to the tower’s pinnacle. To get more excitement, you can relax in the grass or go to the Trocadero after your climb.

You can find souvenirs inspired by towers at the tchotchke vendors who frequent the area. Avoid the clipboard-wielding people. They are scammers and skilled at their craft. If you do encounter them, walk away. This one is a no-brainer.

As you go through security, be prepared to show everything. Sharp objects are not allowed. If you plan to picnic in the grass, make sure you have a screw cap or a Champagne cork.

The Esplanade is the first stop.

Gazing up from the Iron Lady’s skirt can cause dizziness when you stand on the Esplanade. It is not only the size and breadth of the four wrought-iron pedestals but also the way it rises with glimpses at endless sky peeking through the gaps between the wrought-iron latticework.

Here is where you start your climb to the top. Here are the security gate, ticket counter, and where the lines begin.

How to tackle your Eiffel Tower Climb

There are two options regarding how you will tackle the Eiffel Tower ascension. Either you can take the stairs or the elevators up to the top. For the ultimate experience, you can choose to go to the top or make the second floor your grand finale.

Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Elevators are safe if you have limited time or physical limitations.

However, if you can climb the stairs, we recommend it, regardless of whether you’re traveling with us or on your own. We decided to follow Gustave Eiffel’s lead (pun intended) and were the first company to offer a guided climb up the tower. It’s our favorite way to see the Parisian skyline and the building.

You need to be an athlete to enjoy the most spectacular view of Paris, with 704 steps leading to the second. It’s not true. It’s true. Like the Eiffel tower construction, the best things in life take time. That’s why you should take your time on your climb. This is not a fitness test. It’s an adventure.

You may feel like you are pushing yourself to the limit as you climb the stairs and enter the magnificent lattice structure that makes up Eiffel Tower. But the rewards will be apparent as the sky expands around you. It is fantastic to see the tower from the inside. It is incredible to see the intricateness and craftsmanship that makes up the Iron Lady’s skeleton.

Gustave Eiffel was the first to open the Eiffel Tower to the public. He walked the tower every step of the way when it was opened. He was so proud of his work that he would accompany visiting dignitaries such as Winston Churchill, Thomas Edison, and the Queen of England up to the top — 1,700 steps.

I hope they were comfortable in their shoes. (Even if you only make it to the second floor, you should.

The Top: What you’ll see

Tracy Whipple photo

Getting the Iron Lady ready to debut at the World’s Fair 1889 took 50 engineers and designers, 500 workers offsite and onsite, five days, two months, and two years.

It is made up of 18,000 pieces of iron and 2.5 Million rivets. Instead of rushing to the top in an elevator, take time to see them all up close. You will have your own experience. Let it unfold.

You can see the city from the top of the second floor. Enjoy the beauty of Paris. You still have a lot to do. It’s a great time to take a deep breath and enjoy the sights. This vantage point gives you a feeling of accomplishment. If your heart beats against your rib cage, it may be challenging to enjoy the view. So take a moment and relax. You may be taken aback by the beauty around you, but rushing is unnecessary. If you have time, look at the ground below by getting close to the railing along the central edge. It is impressive.

The Eiffel Tower was once hated.

It is strange to think that the Eiffel Tower was once an eyesore and was not desired by many Parisians. The Protestation des Artistes was drafted by the “who’s who” in the day. It was a protest against Monsieur Eiffel’s tower.

Parisian artists and literati hurled some salacious insults at it, including

Truly a terrible street lamp

The mast of iron gymnasium apparatus. Incomplete, confused, and deformed

A factory pipe that is only half-built

A carcass that is ready to be stuffed with brick or freestone

A funnel-shaped grill

People have claimed that the Eiffel Tower provides the best view of Paris because you cannot see it from its top.

The Tour Montparnasse became Paris’s new disapproval target. As you climb, you will see the skyscraper as well as Paris’s Louvre, Paris’s Seine, and other Paris landmarks.

The Eiffel Tower through the Years

The tower has been a symbol of Paris for many years. It was constructed as a gateway for the World’s Fair in 1889. This event commemorated 100 years of the French Revolution. It validated France’s industrial achievements for all, not so subtly.

It has been used for advertising purposes, artistic endeavors, and stunts, such as a Beechcraft Bonanza helicopter that flew underneath the tower in 1984.

Fun fact: France’s copyright law protects the nighttime light display that twinkles for five seconds at the top every hour starting at sunset. Technically You can’t share photos or videos of this light display (even via social media) without permission from the Societe d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel.

Where to Eat at the Eiffel Tower: Refreshments at Every Level

You need to refuel and refill your tank. You will find Le Jules Verne on the second floor, a Michelin-starred restaurant. A dinner for two costs around $500. There are also buffet spots that offer quick and casual munchies and even a macaron shop.

If you’ve chosen the ticket option, the elevator will take you to the top of the tower pinnacle. Tower security will require all those traveling to the top to be able to move around independently without assistance, such as a wheelchair or stroller. The tower has a staircase that leads to the top, but it is closed to the public.

If you keep going, you can celebrate your achievements by sipping champagne at the Eiffel Tower’s Champagne Bar. Enjoy your sunset sipping, and be sure to time it well to enjoy a spectacular show. The tower will glow with golden light and sparkle like a collection of twinkling stars.

While enjoying the moment, it is easy to think, “This was worth all that.” Parisian bragging rights.

Practical Tips for Your Eiffel Tower Trip

One caveat to walking the trek up the stairs: The queue for the elevator to the second floor is as long as any line at an amusement park. You get the bonus of a first-floor view by taking the stairs. You’ll be able to make it to the second floor while others are still waiting.

The Guides’ View on Visiting the Tower

I reached out to our top tower guides for their best tips on how to visit the Eiffel Tower. These tips are apparent but can be overlooked when trying to get the family together for the day.