Rick Steves Tour: Eiffel Tower, Paris

Eiffel Tower Tour

La Tour Eiffel

ORIENTATION

Map: Eiffel Tower Area

Map: Eiffel Tower

THE TOUR BEGINS

Exterior

History

Third Level (Le Sommet)

Second Level

First Level

Back on the Ground

It’s crowded, expensive, and there are probably better views in Paris, but visiting this 1,000-foot-tall ornament is worth the trouble. Visitors to Paris may find Mona Lisa to be less than expected, but the Eiffel Tower rarely disappoints, even in an era of skyscrapers. This is a once-in-a-lifetime, I’ve-been-there experience. Making the eye-popping ascent and ear-popping descent gives you membership in the exclusive society of the quarter of a billion other humans who have made the Eiffel Tower the most visited monument in the modern world.

ORIENTATION    MAP

Cost: €25 to ride all the way to the top (third) level, €16 to ride to the first or second level, €10 to climb the stairs to the first or second level, €19 to take the stairs and then elevator to the summit—must purchase summit elevator before entering tower, not covered by Museum Pass.

Hours: Daily mid-June-Aug 9:00-24:45, Sept-mid-June 9:30-23:45, last ascent to top at 22:30 and to lower levels at 23:00 all year (elevator and stairs).

Information: Recorded info toll tel. 08 92 70 12 39, www.toureiffel.paris.

Buying Tickets in Advance: