Eiffel Tower at Night

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ABOVE: The interior of the Eiffel Tower's south leg, as viewed from the stairs.

More visitor information:

• The elevators can be very crowded, and the stairs offer a nice view of the tower's floodlit ironwork after dark, as you can see from the photo above. The walk to the second level is 115 meters or 377 feet (about 37 stories), but the stairs aren't steep and are safely enclosed. Even if heights make you nervous, you shouldn't have any problem climbing on foot to the first and second levels.

• The third or top level is accessible only by lift, and you may have to wait in line for a long time at the elevator entrance on the second level. I'd suggest buying a stairs or elevator ticket only to the second level. If the line for the final elevator isn't too long when you reach the second level, you can buy a supplemental ticket to reach the top-level observation platform. (You may be perfectly happy with the view on the second level; at night, you aren't likely to see that much more higher up.)

• The first level has a movie about the tower, various exhibits, toilets, and a snack bar. Other restaurants include the moderately expensive Altitude 95 (first level) and the  Michelin-starred Jules Verne (second level), a luxury restaurant that has a private elevator in the south leg of the tower and is often booked up months in advance. (Note: The snack bar closes early, so plan on eating before 9 p.m. unless you've booked a table at one of the restaurants.)

• Try to be on the second level during the strobe-light "sparkle" display, which takes place during the first 10 minutes of each hour after dusk. Time your departure so that you can watch the show again from the Champ-de-Mars or across the river at Trocadero.

How to reach the Eiffel Tower:

By RER: The Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel station of RER line C is near the tower.

By Métro: Bir Hakeim (line 6) is close by; Ecole Militaire (line 8) and Trocadero (lines 6 and 9) are also within easy walking distance.

By bus: Lines 42, 69, 72, 82, and 87 will get you to or near the Eiffel Tower. "Hop on, hop off" sightseeing buses such as L'Opentour also stop near the tower.

By taxi: Look for cabs at Piler Ouest (the tower's west leg) or on Quai Branly, the road that runs along the Seine in front of the tower.

By boat: "Hop on, hop off" sightseeing boats stop at the tower every 15 to 30 minutes. (Evening hours are limited during the off-season; check the Batobus Web site for a timetable.)

Official Web site:

The Eiffel Tower
Check current schedules and ticket prices, read about the Eiffel Tower's history, view photos and virtual tours, and more.

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