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The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
Think of Paris, France and I bet the Eiffel Tower comes to mind within seconds. It is an enormous, powerful, and beautiful symbol that epitomizes everything French for us Americans. I think of the Eiffel Tower and I hear soft French accordion music being played while lovers stroll at its base and the energy of Parisian life bustles about around it as it has since the 1889 Universal Exhibition for which it was built.
Many other feelings are evoked in other people however, giving the tower a different meaning to other cultures and locals alike. “Monstrosity” has even been used to describe what we have come to view as such a romantic symbol. When I visited the tower I was told not to answer the question “what do you think of the Eiffel Tower?” if asked by a French person. I was told that it was often a trick question. If I were to say how beautiful I thought it was I might get a response like “It figures, you are such an uncultured American to not realize what a mockery this is!” But if I were to answer negatively I might be met with “How dare you disrespect such a national symbol of Parisian pride!” Luckily, I was never asked the question.
Regardless of how it is viewed by other people (about 4 million people annually), you should form your own opinion of this familiar landmark by experiencing it yourself. If you are physically fit enough, I highly recommend climbing the stairs to the second platform (as high as you can go without an elevator). There, at 375 feet in the air, you can get a spectacular view of Paris, especially of the Trocadero. (TGTG photo-op: The best place to get a picture of you with the Eiffel Tower in the background is from the Trocadero). Snap some pictures and visit the restaurants or gift shops and get ready to stand in line for your turn to ride the elevator the rest of the distance to the Eiffel Tower’s highest viewing platform at 905 feet! While you’re there take a look at the displays lining the top of the enclosed area, they will show you the distances to different countries and famous cities…neat!
The best time to visit the tower is for sunset, but make sure not to get there too late or you’ll miss it standing in line. After the sun does go down, the Eiffel tower becomes even more beautiful. The glowing amber lights are illuminated, and for 10 minutes of every dark hour, the tower sparkles with over 20,000 bulbs that twinkle on and off to make it look like a giant diamond (this is better viewed from the ground once you have descended). Word has it, this effect will be less frequent in the near future in an attempt for the tower to be more environmentally friendly by cutting down its electricity bill (way to go Paris!).
For more information including maps and directions, you can visit the Official Eiffel Tower Website
Visitor Hours
From January 1 to June 12: 9:30 am - 6:30 pm steps (11:45 pm via lift)
From June 13 to August 31: 9:00 am - 12:45 am
From September 1 to December 31: 9:30 am - 6:30 pm steps (11:45 pm via lift)
Last admittance about 1 hour before closing.
Fees (as of 9-08)
Adults (12 yrs +)
Stairs: 4,00€
Lift to 1st platform 4,80€
Lift to 2nd platform 7,80€
Lift to 3rd platform 12,00€
Children (3-11 yrs)
Stairs: 3,10€
Lift to 1st platform 2,50€
Lift to 2nd platform 4,30€
Lift to 3rd platform 6,70€
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