Paris Weekend Break

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) is probably the most famous landmark, not just in Paris, but the whole of France. It features on post cards, within guide books and it is a frequent backdrop to scenes from movies and TV shows.

The tower, which is the tallest structure in Paris, takes it name from its designer, Gustave Eiffel. Eiffel was a bridge engineer and came up with what was then a daring and unusually lightweight design. At the time it was subject to criticism. Its total height is exactly 689 feet (210 metres) and it weighs in at 7,300 tons.

Completed in 1889, the Eiffel tower is the single most visited tourist monument in the world and it is reputed to have receieved over 200 million visitors during that time.

Admission to the tower is charged and at present something close to seven million people choose to scale its vertical challenge every year. There is no sign of the tower’s popularity diminishing, even since the advent of Euro Disney (Disney Paris).

The Eiffel tower is ascended by stairs and lifts and is subdivided into different platform levels. For those choosing the more exertive method (i.e. walking), there are regular postings on the stairs of how many steps have been climbed to reach that particular point. The final stage of the towers ascent is only via the lift and this takes visitors to the top viewing platform. From this point the views of Paris are spectacular.

Things to be aware of

There are two types of Eiffel tower tickets available, lift and platform tickets.

The greater part of the tower’s stair is not enclosed and, although offering panoramic views, this may cause problems for those uncomfortable with heights.

The ticket office is at the foot of the tower and to its south facing side.

The Eiffel tower really does sway on windy days and by as much as three inches.

interesting facts

The Eiffel tower has frequently been used to transmit radio waves.

At the turn of the milenium the Eiffel tower was the centre point of the French celebrations with a succession of fireworks climbing up and down the towers height.

Up until 1930, the Eiffel tower was the tallest building in the world.

The James Bond movie, A view to a kill, featured the tower in a chase scene that ended with the actress Grace Jones seemingly sky diving off the structure.

The Eiffel Tower restaurants

The Eiffel Tower has two restaurants offering an opportunity to enjoy the best of French cuisine whilst enjoying panoramic views of the cityscape.

The restaurants are called "Altitude 95" and "Jules Verne" and both are open during the day and evening. To find out more, see our Nightlife page where there is some additional information about them.