Eiffel Tower in Paris

A brief history of the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower opened in 1889, making this historical structure over 100 years old. It was named after Gustave Eiffel, the engineer whose company designed and built the tower. At 324 meters tall, the attraction held the record for being the tallest structure in the world from 1889 to 1930. While it lost that title to the Chrysler Building in New York City in 1940, the Eiffel Tower remains the tallest structure in Paris today.

Since its construction, the tower has welcomed over 250 million visitors – both locals and tourists. On average, you’ll see over 25,000 people hoping to get up close and personal with the Eiffel Tower, earning the structure the reputation of being the world’s most-visited paid monument.

What are the highlights of the Eiffel Tower?

There are 3 accessible floors at the Eiffel Tower, including an observation deck at 276 meters above the ground. It's the highest observation deck in Europe, with many happy couples choosing to pop the question while they're at the top of the tower. Tickets are required, which you can purchase online. Even so, do expect long queues before you can make it to the top, as the Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular attractions in Paris.

There are 2 restaurants at the Eiffel Tower, including the 1-star Michelin restaurant, Le Jules Verne. For post-dinner beverages, consider visiting the Bar à Champagne, the tower’s very own champagne bar.

While the Eiffel Tower is beautiful during the day, some visitors tend to wait until sunset before making their way to the landmark. The tower is illuminated from sunset until 1 am, with a light show sparkling through the structure for 5 minutes every hour. Most of the lighting is in a golden-yellow hue, though the tower may occasionally have different colored lights to celebrate various occasions. One of the most popular variations is the pink lights that cover the Eiffel Tower in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.

Good to know about the Eiffel Tower

Making your way to the Eiffel Tower is easy, as it’s connected by the Paris Metro rail and RER rails. The closest stations are Bir-Hakeim and the Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel respectively. You can also reach the tower via bus, on Line 82 and 42. For a romantic getaway, you may even consider getting on a Batobus boat, which travels along the Seine.

Climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower isn’t the only way you can enjoy its beauty. Instead, you’d get a better view of the tower from Champ de Mars. In summer, many people lay out picnic mats and enjoy a glass of wine amid the romantic Paris backdrop. If it gets too busy at the park, you may consider getting a view of the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro. The structure is especially beautiful at sunrise, so be sure to plan your trip if you'd like to snag a picture with fewer visitors in the background.