Eiffel Tower - sold out?
Discussion
We are going to Paris for a weekend in August and wanted to go up the Eiffel tower.
When I look on their official website it says there is no availability for that date. I assume that this means that we just have to go and queue on the day, rather than it is totally unavailable that day?
I have been advised to try the 'Behind the scenes at the Eiffel Tower' tour which is also available from their website for a few € more. This one is available but clashes with other arrangements we have made.
Has ayone got any tips on the best way to do it?
When I look on their official website it says there is no availability for that date. I assume that this means that we just have to go and queue on the day, rather than it is totally unavailable that day?
I have been advised to try the 'Behind the scenes at the Eiffel Tower' tour which is also available from their website for a few € more. This one is available but clashes with other arrangements we have made.
Has ayone got any tips on the best way to do it?
You should be ok but never rule out how crazy the Parisiennes are. They shut the Louvre last week when we were there as the president was visiting.
If the tower is shut then I recommend Mont Martre instead.
I think a more interesting view as the eiffel tower is in it. Only 6Euro too.
If the tower is shut then I recommend Mont Martre instead.
I think a more interesting view as the eiffel tower is in it. Only 6Euro too.
Edited by madbadger on Tuesday 4th June 16:28
Thanks. We had actually planned to go to Mont Martre later in the day which is why we couldn't do the 'behind the scenes' tour that was available.
I gues it will just be a case of getting there as early as possible to get the shortest queue. I hate queueing and it will ruin the experience for me it it takes 2 hours to get up there!
I gues it will just be a case of getting there as early as possible to get the shortest queue. I hate queueing and it will ruin the experience for me it it takes 2 hours to get up there!
When we were in Paris the queues to the Eiffel Tower were huge. Instead we went here:
http://www.tourmontparnasse56.com/en/
No queues, much cheaper and you get a fantastic view with the Iffel Tower in it.
http://www.tourmontparnasse56.com/en/
No queues, much cheaper and you get a fantastic view with the Iffel Tower in it.
Agreed: Tour Montparnasse is widely held to be the best view of Paris: because it's the only high-up place where you can't see the Tour Montparnasse.
Other 'up stuff' options: the Grande Arche at La Defense, the top of the Arc de Triomphe, the roof of the Galeries Lafayette on Blvd Haussmann (publicly accessible but very little-known: just keep going up stairs!). All good.
Other 'up stuff' options: the Grande Arche at La Defense, the top of the Arc de Triomphe, the roof of the Galeries Lafayette on Blvd Haussmann (publicly accessible but very little-known: just keep going up stairs!). All good.
The roof of Lafayette is superb, and as said - quiet.
As for the Eiffel, well just do what the French do wander along a queue and then somewhere between halfway and the ticket booth push in. Cheese eating surrender monkey soon got a mouthful from us when they tried it. Kind of surprised them that a Brit would have the ability to fluently speak to them I think.
As for the Eiffel, well just do what the French do wander along a queue and then somewhere between halfway and the ticket booth push in. Cheese eating surrender monkey soon got a mouthful from us when they tried it. Kind of surprised them that a Brit would have the ability to fluently speak to them I think.
Much as I like the tower (and I've climbed the first two stories twice) it's not always been seen as a great artistic achievement- even by Parisian citizens.
For example, the artist Guy de Maupassant hated it so much that he chose often to lunch at it's 2nd floor restaurant just to indulge without having to look at it as he ate because it dominated the Parisian skyline.
He described it as 'This tall skinny pyramid of iron ladders and disgraceful skeleton'.
Much as I disagree, there are some better places in Paris to spend time (and less cost).
Pere Lachaise Cemetery is one (north east on Le Metro]. Worth a visit where you will find the last resting places of Edith Piaf, Theodore Gericault, Moliere, Frederick Chopin, Oscar Wilde and of course, Jim Morrison of The Doors amongst may others.
For example, the artist Guy de Maupassant hated it so much that he chose often to lunch at it's 2nd floor restaurant just to indulge without having to look at it as he ate because it dominated the Parisian skyline.
He described it as 'This tall skinny pyramid of iron ladders and disgraceful skeleton'.
Much as I disagree, there are some better places in Paris to spend time (and less cost).
Pere Lachaise Cemetery is one (north east on Le Metro]. Worth a visit where you will find the last resting places of Edith Piaf, Theodore Gericault, Moliere, Frederick Chopin, Oscar Wilde and of course, Jim Morrison of The Doors amongst may others.
As has been said, don't worry, as they only sell very limited tickets online. You can buy them in person on the day, my gf and I went in March and went along around 10.30am to the tower, queued for around 30mins to buy tickets then went up shortly after. It does take a while to reach the top as you have to queue for each elevator, however it's all part of the fun once you've actually got onto it.
Tbh, Eiffel Tower is probably one of the defining images of Paris, so I'd say going up it is almost an obligatory part of a visit there. It's worth noting that the queue didn't seem to get much longer whilst we were there from 10.30 through till around 12.30.
Tbh, Eiffel Tower is probably one of the defining images of Paris, so I'd say going up it is almost an obligatory part of a visit there. It's worth noting that the queue didn't seem to get much longer whilst we were there from 10.30 through till around 12.30.
Re: queuing: a lot of people get there as early as possible to "beat the queue". I've long suspected that the wait time peaks at about 10am and if you go about 10.30/11 then you'll wait less time than the people who joined at 10.
Still: it is essential, but I would strongly recommend Montparnasse as well, perhaps at night. You can go right up onto the roof.
Still: it is essential, but I would strongly recommend Montparnasse as well, perhaps at night. You can go right up onto the roof.
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