Soaring To New Heights: How to Climb The Eiffel Tower Steps in Paris

One of the astir fashionable activities successful Paris is to ascent The Eiffel Tower steps up to the viewing platform. Walking up the steps was surely an exhilarating acquisition and volition instrumentality your enactment distant – some successful the effort of climbing and with the breathtaking views from the top.

Ready to ascent the Eiffel Tower steps!

But portion it was a item of our sojourn to Paris, it wasn’t arsenic straightforward arsenic we thought it would be. Which is wherefore we person prepared this usher connected however to ascent the Eiffel Tower steps truthful you tin bash it without the headache and chaos that we discovered.

We’ll besides delve into the fascinating past of the steps and uncover the secrets hidden wrong its robust heart, arsenic good arsenic uncover our insider tips and tricks we learned from our ain visit.

So, lace up your shoes, transmission your interior adventurer, and let’s get started…

History of The Eiffel Tower Stairs

The Eiffel Tower is an architectural marvel that has go 1 of the astir celebrated monuments, not lone successful Paris, but the world. It was constructed successful 1889, with the spiral staircase being the archetypal mode to scope the top. The lifts (elevators for our American audience) opened a fewer months later.

A full of 1,665 steps person witnessed countless footsteps passim its affluent history, though not each of them are climbable. While determination are 1,665 steps, visitors tin lone ascent 674 of them to the 2nd floor, arsenic the apical conception is not unfastened to the nationalist owed to information concerns.

The staircase has besides undergone galore renovations implicit the years, mostly to amended information concerns. 

The archetypal staircase was a spiral staircase that featured a azygous guardrail, but contiguous you volition announcement the steps are wider, wrapper astir the full magnitude of the monument, and are entirely covered with a chain-link fence that you tin spot through.

The stairs present person wider walkways, landings to instrumentality breaks on, and much spots for admiring the views. You tin inactive spot a conception of the archetypal spiral staircase connected the archetypal level which has kept its archetypal color, but the conception from the 2nd level to the apical has present been removed.

Expect a small Confusion and Disorganization

We made it!

Oh, the Eiffel Tower tin beryllium rather the adventure, fto maine archer you! When we tried to publication tickets, it was a spot of a rollercoaster. 

At first, we couldn’t find immoderate assistance tickets disposable for the archetypal 2 months, and the website said we could lone get tickets to locomotion up to the 2nd level connected the time itself.

Then, conscionable 2 weeks earlier our trip, the website allowed online booking for those walking tickets, but it was glitchy arsenic tin be. 

After struggling for a week, we yet managed to snag tickets to locomotion up to the 2nd floor. There was nary availability for the 3rd floor. 

But wait, there’s more! The evening earlier our visit, they sent america an email saying they’d hold the opening clip the adjacent day, and our tickets were canceled. Can you judge it? So, backmost to the website I went, scrambling to publication tickets for a aboriginal clip slot.

A tiny conception of the agelong lines

When we arrived, it was axenic chaos. No wide lines oregon signs to usher us, and radical with timed introduction tickets were mixed up successful agelong lines with those who had nary tickets astatine all. It felt similar their archetypal opening time each implicit again!

I asked 3 attendants for help, but nary could springiness wide instructions. I adjacent joked astir having to combat my mode done the crowds, and 1 of them laughed and said, “yes, fight.”

Finally, conscionable 2 minutes earlier opening, idiosyncratic came retired to redirect radical to the close line, causing adjacent much chaos arsenic everyone shuffled around. It was unbelievable!

All we needed was a simple, imperishable lane with a wide motion each day. How hard tin that beryllium for 1 of the apical tourer attractions successful the world? 

Hopefully, they’ll get it sorted retired soon, but for now, conscionable beryllium prepared for a small disorder and anticipation you sojourn connected a bully day!

It tin besides consciousness a small confusing with each the antithetic summons options and prices. We’ve done our champion to intelligibly outline it below. 

What is it similar Climbing the Eiffel Tower Stairs?

Climbing the stairs is not a hard task and you don’t request to beryllium peculiarly progressive to bash it. 

There are a total of 327 steps taking you to the archetypal platform, wherever you tin halt and respect the views, and past determination are a further 347 steps to instrumentality you to the 2nd floor. 

There are besides interspersed landings wherever you tin halt and drawback your enactment (and the views) arsenic you ascend.

It takes roughly 30 minutes to ascent the stairs from the crushed level to the 2nd floor, with breaks to respect the views successful between.

It would besides instrumentality longer if you determine to halt astatine a edifice connected the archetypal level for refreshments!

Along the stairs are cute signs encouraging you to person courageousness and support going! They’re backed with facts like, “You tin bash it! It took 2 years, 2  months, and 5 days to physique the Eiffel tower”

View from Second floor

From the 2nd floor, you person to instrumentality a Duolift (elevator) to the apical reflection deck.

We were 1 of the archetypal radical to ascent the stairs for the day, which meant we had a batch of space. We loved being successful the unfastened aerial and having views the full mode up.

Our girls loved it and were excited counting the stairs, stopping to instrumentality selfies, and admiring the view. 

I besides liked however you were overmuch person to the presumption from the archetypal and 2nd level. The 3rd level would springiness you a wider position of Paris, but it would beryllium hard to spot the beauteous details similar successful this photograph beneath from the archetypal level.

First level view

We looked astatine the lifts going up respective times and said, “How boring!” Our youngest, Savannah (11) was besides a small tense astir taking the elevator, truthful she was blessed to skip it and walk, particularly erstwhile she saw the crowds packed successful their similar sardines.

As we’re each reasonably acceptable and did not find the stairs excessively difficult, we walked each the mode up to the 2nd level first. 

We wanted to bushed the crowds for that view. We besides wanted to sojourn the archetypal level past of each truthful we could unbend astatine the cute cafe with views. 

First Floor Views

First level view

The First level is the largest of each the floors connected the Eiffel Tower. There is plentifulness of abstraction to locomotion around, and it’s wherever you’ll find the cafes and seating areas. And determination were authoritative photographers connected the first-floor grabbing radical for photos.

Craig and the girls connected photograph shoot!

Politely diminution if you don’t privation to acquisition them (for a costly price). They conscionable grabbed america and launched consecutive into photographing us. It was rather amusive and a mini-photo sprout with posing, taking sibling photos and mates photos. We didn’t privation to bargain them, and they were a spot miffed erstwhile we said no.

Second Floor Views

2nd level views

As the operation rises the width decreases. So the country connected the 2nd level volition beryllium little than the first, but much than the third! There are much unfastened aerial sections connected the 2nd level for those expansive views and photos.

The 2nd level is benignant of divided level, determination is simply a abbreviated formation of stairs taking you supra the main level truthful you tin look implicit it. It volition beryllium unfastened air.

Is it Better to Take the Lift oregon Stairs?

Lots of photos connected the mode up

As mentioned earlier, you don’t request to beryllium particularly acceptable to ascent the steps, but determination are 674 of them truthful you whitethorn find you’re retired of enactment travel the top.

If you aren’t arsenic active, then determination are 2 lifts astatine the Eiffel Tower; some the archetypal lifts from 1889. The archetypal assistance takes you from the crushed level to the 2nd level wherever the stairs end, and past determination is simply a Duolift from the 2nd level to the top.

Everyone volition request to instrumentality the Duolift to the apical if they privation to spell there!

The stairs supply a amended presumption arsenic you ascend, arsenic you tin look retired passim aggregate viewpoints on the way, whereas the assistance doesn’t person immoderate views until you scope the end.

The steps are besides cheaper and person a shorter queue, positive you tin halt disconnected astatine the forecourts and brasserie connected the archetypal level for refreshments if you get tired.

Depending connected however comfy you are with your fittingness level, I would reason the steps are amended for the views alone, but you tin inactive get large views from the 2nd level if you instrumentality the lift.

I deliberation taking the stairs makes the travel conscionable arsenic fantastic arsenic the destination. It conscionable makes the Eiffel Tower acquisition much of a memorable adventure.

Is it worthy going to the 3rd floor?

Going up?

I can’t accurately counsel whether it’s worthy going to the 3rd level oregon not. We did not get the accidental connected this travel to the Eiffel Tower arsenic tickets were each sold out. You tin lone get determination via the lift, truthful tickets are much restricted. You tin ascent the stairs and past spell up the assistance to the 3rd floor. 

I judge if you reserve a array astatine the edifice that volition get you up to the 3rd level adjacent if tickets are sold out. (it’s apt the edifice volition besides beryllium booked up!)

By representation I went to the 3rd level connected my sojourn successful 1998, but I can’t accurately remember. I conjecture that mightiness beryllium saying something! I conscionable retrieve a large view. 

I’ve heard galore others accidental the presumption from the 3rd level is truly nary antithetic to the 2nd floor, it’s conscionable higher up, but determination are besides higher barriers, little space, and much haze!

My presumption is that you won’t miss retired if you don’t marque it to the 3rd floor. We had a terrific clip conscionable going to the archetypal and 2nd floor. We loved the step climbing experience, the views, and relaxing successful the cafe. 

So, if you privation to prevention wealth – oregon you conscionable can’t get 3rd level tickets – don’t interest arsenic you’ll inactive truly emotion the Eiffel Tower acquisition connected the archetypal and 2nd floor. 

Restaurants astatine The Eiffel Tower

First level cafe

No crowds archetypal happening successful the morning

The Eiffel Tower has 2 restaurants, The Jules Verne, which is simply a Michelin-starred edifice connected the 2nd floor, and Madame Brasserie which is located connected the 1st floor.

There are besides forecourts connected the 1st and 2nd level wherever you tin get drinks and snacks. There’s besides a macaroon barroom connected the 2nd floor.

Wine and Ice pick with a View

Oh, fto maine stock a small Eiffel Tower triumph with you! Guess what? They’ve got immoderate fantastic €9 French Chardonnay at the first-floor bar. 

I couldn’t judge it erstwhile I saw the terms – it’s perfectly incredible! Back successful the USA, I can’t adjacent get a solid of mediocre California vino for thing little than that astatine my section dive bar. 

So, portion it mightiness beryllium a spot pricey for Paris standards, it’s really a bargain if you’re coming from the USA oregon Australia! 

Trust me, indulging successful that beauteous French vino with the iconic Eiffel Tower presumption is an acquisition you won’t privation to miss. It’s decidedly 1 of the best views successful Paris.

The cafe besides sells crystal cream

And the kids bash not request to miss retired either – oregon anyone who does not privation an alcoholic drink. The cafe besides sells crystal pick and pastries arsenic good arsenic java and non-alcoholic beverages. 

There are beauteous seating areas with chairs and tables. The earlier you go, the easier it volition beryllium to get one. Keep an eagle oculus for erstwhile radical get up and leave, and leap consecutive in! Five 2nd regularisation applies. 

Walk Around The Eiffel Tower Base

A sojourn to the Eiffel Tower is not conscionable astir climbing the stairs and seeing the presumption from above. You tin besides get beauteous views from below. 

There’s a information partition astatine the basal which shares absorbing information astir the gathering of the operation and materials used. 

There are besides beauteous gardens. Walk astir the full basal for immoderate unsocial views. 

Outside the ticketed country is besides the beauteous Champ de Mars, the municipality parkland that sits underneath it, is 1 of the champion places to get views of the Eiffel Tower.

Pack a picnic of French baguettes, cured meats and French cheese, popular unfastened a vessel of sauvignon blanc, and respect the quality of this tremendous operation from the closest greenish abstraction to it. 

From Champ de Mars

It’s 1 of the astir fashionable Instagram photograph spots successful Paris. This was connected our database of things to bash successful Paris, BUT astir of the Champ de Mars was closed disconnected owed to an lawsuit that either had conscionable happened, oregon was going to happen. 

We were truthful disappointed arsenic we did not get those beauteous tract and operation views. It was conscionable a batch of scaffolding and fencing. We did find a fewer spots though truthful look hard if you acquisition the aforesaid thing. 

From crossed the river

You tin past locomotion down to the stream and transverse the span for much Eiffel Tower views. The prima was successful a atrocious spot for photos for us, but it was inactive beauteous to look at. Don’t ever marque it astir the photos. The eyes tin behold the quality amended than the camera. 

Opening Hours and Entrance Fees

The Eiffel Tower is open daily. The staircase is unfastened from 9.00am until 11.45pm, whereas the elevator is unfastened from 9.00am – Midnight. 

You tin commencement buying your admittance tickets from the summons bureau from 8.45am, and you indispensable permission the monument by 00.45am.

There are galore antithetic summons options disposable for visiting The Eiffel Tower, with immoderate tickets including a champagne portion astatine the top, positive the enactment to instrumentality a guided tour.

Whatever you do, marque definite you acquisition your tickets successful beforehand to debar the agelong queues that tin spot hold times of up to 2 hours. You should besides enactment determination are 2 entrances, some from the gardens below.

• The East entranceway is lone for those taking the lift. If you person pre-booked a ticket, look for the queue marked with a greenish flag.
• If you do not person a pre-booked ticket, take the queue with the yellowish flag.
• For those wishing to climb the stairs, sojourn the South Entrance. There is simply a bluish emblem to bespeak this is the close queue.

You tin pre-book tickets connected the authoritative website. It tin get confusing and whitethorn amusement nary availability. In that case, effort booking via Get Your Guide. We’ve enactment the links beside each summons people beneath truthful it’s casual to find. Be definite to besides acceptable our conception beneath connected availability and alternate booking methods.

View from the apical of the Montparnasse Tower

The summons prices for visiting The Eiffel Tower are arsenic follows:

• Ticket with assistance to the 2nd floor – €18.10 for adults, €9 for ages 12-24, €4.5 for ages 4-11 – pre publication tickets here.
• Ticket with assistance to the 2nd level and the top – €28.30 for adults, €14.10 for ages 12-24, €7.10 for ages 4-11 – pre publication tickets here.
• Ticket with steps to the 2nd level – €11.30 for adults, €5.60 for ages 12-24, €2.80 for ages 4-11 – pre publication tickets here.
• Tickets with steps to the 2nd level and assistance to the top – €21.50 for adults, €10.70 for ages 12-24, €5.40 for ages 4-11 – pre-book tickets here.
• Guided circuit to the top – €48.30 for adults, €34.10 for ages 12-24, €21.10 for ages 4-11 – pre publication tickets here.
• Guided circuit to the 2nd floor – €38.10 for adults, €29.00 for ages 12-24, €24.50 for ages 4-11 – pre publication tickets here.

Be definite to ever cheque those prices arsenic they whitethorn person changed since publishing this post. 

What if the Eiffel Tower has nary Availability?

Seeing from a stream cruise is besides cool!

The Eiffel Tower is 1 of the world’s astir fashionable attractions. As mentioned, it was booked retired months successful advance of our arrival. The further successful beforehand you book, the much likelihood you’ll get a ticket.

If not, support trying for past infinitesimal tickets, oregon instrumentality the accidental by lining up connected the day. Arrive archetypal happening successful the morning, battalion your patience, and let for waiting clip successful your schedule. It mightiness not beryllium arsenic atrocious successful the quieter off-peak question months (i.e. Winter)

Alternatively, you can articulation 1 of the guided tours of the Eiffel Tower if they person space. You’ll often find 1 that does. They pre-book a definite fig of entranceway tickets, truthful you person amended likelihood of making it. 

The downside is that a guided circuit is simply a batch much expensive. It depends connected your fund and however severely you privation to ascent the tower. For us, it was worthy it arsenic we had the cheaper tickets. I’m not definite it would beryllium paying a batch more.

I cognize our girls truly wanted to spell up truthful I whitethorn person paid for it and chopped the fund successful different places. If you’re lone paying for 1 summons it mightiness beryllium much manageable for your budget. 

If you are with kids, and privation to acquisition tickets done Get Your Guide, cheque cautiously for the kid’s price. The mode immoderate of their guided circuit tickets enactment is kids wage afloat big price. The quality whitethorn not beryllium excessively overmuch more, but kid’s bash person a cheaper authoritative entranceway fee.

Tips for Climbing The Eiffel Tower Stairs

If you’re readying to ascent the stairs of the Eiffel Tower, present are immoderate tips to marque your acquisition enjoyable and memorable…

• Wear comfy footwear as you’ll beryllium climbing a important fig of stairs. Opt for sneakers oregon sturdy walking shoes that supply bully support. We perfectly emotion our Chacos.
• Dress appropriately. Check the upwind forecast earlier you sojourn and beryllium definite to furniture your covering arsenic the temperatures tin alteration passim the day. Consider wearing lightweight, breathable fabrics during warmer months and bring a airy overgarment oregon sweater for cooler weather.
• Stay hydrated. Climbing the Eiffel Tower tin beryllium physically demanding, truthful it’s important to enactment hydrated. Carry a h2o vessel with you and portion plentifulness of fluids passim your ascent. You tin besides sojourn the java store connected the mode up for refreshments.
• Take breaks. Pace yourself and instrumentality abbreviated breaks whenever you request to drawback your enactment oregon remainder your legs. There are platforms astatine each level wherever you tin pause, bask the view, and instrumentality photos.
• Plan your timing! The Eiffel Tower tin get crowded, peculiarly during highest tourer seasons (the summer). Consider visiting aboriginal successful the greeting oregon aboriginal successful the evening to debar agelong queues and bask a much tranquil experience.
• Capture the moment. Don’t hide to bring a camera oregon your smartphone to seizure the unthinkable views of Paris from antithetic vantage points. Take your clip to soak successful the quality and drawback memorable photos on the way.
• Enjoy the journey! Climbing the Eiffel Tower is not conscionable astir reaching the top; it’s besides astir the travel itself. Take the clip to admit the intricate ironwork, the architecture, and the humanities value of this iconic landmark.
• Be mindful of others portion climbing the stairs and beryllium considerate of different visitors. Maintain a dependable gait and let abstraction for radical to walk if needed. Remember, everyone is determination to bask the experience, truthful beryllium respectful of their travel too.
• Safety first. Follow the information guidelines provided by the Eiffel Tower staff. Pay attraction to immoderate signage oregon instructions and beryllium mindful of your surroundings.

Final Thoughts

Climbing the Eiffel Tower steps is 1 of the astir memorable experiences successful Paris and is surely more fund friendly than the elevator (which successful a metropolis arsenic costly arsenic Paris, is surely a crushed to brave the steps!).

It besides provides ample opportunities to seizure stunning photographs from antithetic viewpoints and angles, arsenic good arsenic beryllium capable to locomotion successful the footsteps of thousands of different travelers earlier you successful the past century.

We anticipation this usher helped you program however you privation to sojourn The Eiffel Tower and gave you immoderate penetration into what it’s similar to ascent it.

We besides person different guides connected Paris, you whitethorn find helpful. Please stock them with friends, connected your socials, oregon Pin for aboriginal connected Pinterest.

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