18 Tips for Visiting the Eiffel Tower at Night

18 Tips for Visiting the Eiffel Tower at Night

Updated by Farah in July 2022 and Felix in May 2023

You’ve seen it in films, and probably printed in a few magazines, now it’s your turn to see the Iron Lady in all her glory under the cover of the Parisian night sky.

The Eiffel Tower as a tourist attraction, stays open until close to 12 midnight each day, allowing as many night visits as they do day ones. It is lit up from dusk until 2 a.m. (only 1 a.m. during winter season).

While venturing up the tower is an unforgettable experience, both day and night, one doesn’t have to splurge on the cost of a ticket to have the iconic experience. This structure is visible from across the city; whether you’re in it or simply near to it matters not.

Paris – by Eutouring – Wikimedia Commons

Plus, you can also climb the Eiffel Tower at night. The first two levels are accessible via the stairs and this option will save you a bit of money! Imagine what Paris looks like from the tower itself and you can stop as often as you want to take in the magnificent views of the city of love!

Depending on what time of year you visit Paris, you can get to see some fireworks or witness the tower glowing in bright colours. But no matter when you visit, you can always witness the magic of the Eiffel Tower at night!

When visiting the Eiffel Tower at night, there are a few ways one can optimize one’s experience. Keep the following 8 tips in mind and you’re on your way to something breathtaking.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 9am to 11.30 pm

ADDRESS: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France

Metro STATION: Champ de Metro – Tour Eiffel

1. Visit the Eiffel Tower Close to the Hour at Night

Photo by Tomas Anunziata from Pexels

Seeing the Eiffel Tower light show is almost as popular an experience as seeing the Eiffel Tower in general.

After sunset, the Eiffel Tower light show will take place every hour, on the hour. The display lasts about five minutes in total, and will repeat through until sunrise. The tower sparkles with the light of 20,000 lightbulbs! Also, the summit’s searchlight scans the Parisian skyline making for a magical scene!

Back in 1999, the Eiffel Tower was fitted with that many lightbulbs to celebrate the new year. It took 25 mountain climbers just over five months to install 20,000 light bulbs on the tower and it cost €4.5 million! Only meant to last for that one event, it later became a permanent fixture since 2003. And thank god for that!

It’s one of Paris’ most reliable and most calming attractions. Something one can count on to be there no matter the day or weather.

If you’re visiting at night, you’ll want to be around when the clock strikes the top.

2. If it’s Winter, Layer Up!

This is a tip that is not emphasized enough. The Eiffel Tower sits in the north western region of Paris, in the lower end of a hillside that summits at Invalides. It’s a bowl-like valley, if you will, and in the winter the temperatures can drop below freezing at night. It also snows but depending on the severity of the weather, that won’t deter people from enjoying the views of the tower.

Nonetheless, layer up, and prepare to face mist and/or rain at the best of times. An umbrella is always a good idea when visiting the Eiffel Tower at night in the winter months.

3. Buy Your Tickets in Advance

Summer, winter, night, day… standing in line for Eiffel Tower tickets is not something anyone should ever have to go through. If you’ve visited the Champ de Mars prior, you’ll understand why – there’s a long queue to go to the top! The winding queues of people beneath the tower all waiting to get inside is enough to turn anyone off of the experience of going inside the structure.

The trick? Buy your Eiffel Tower tickets online!

If you purchase them directly from the Eiffel Tower website, you’ll be entitled to their fast-track privilege. There will still be a line, but it won’t be nearly as long as the one for tickets on arrival and hours of waiting around.

4. Bring Blankets and Snacks to the Champ de Mars

Photo credit: Nicolas Martin

If going inside of the tower and to the top of the tower isn’t something that interests you, and you’re happy to view her from the ground, then the Champ de Mars is where you want to be.

Visiting at night, especially in the summer, is what many groups of travelers do. The experience is different than the day and more calm.

These grounds surrounding the tower are open to the public and usually always have lush, green grass to offer. Bring along anything that will make your time under the tower more comfortable: blankets, cushions and perhaps even a picnic!

5. The Later the Better

Photo by Silvia Trigo from Pexels

During peak season in Paris, the Eiffel Tower is crowded from morning until night. As with any attraction of this nature, the later you arrive, the better.

This tip is for anyone who would prefer not to brave excessive crowds, and who would enjoy some sort of intimacy during their evening tower visit.

The quietest time to do a walk by the Eiffel Tower are the early hours of the morning. Even then, you’ll find party-goers have had the same idea after being kicked out of the bar they were in at 2 AM.

6. Go For Dinner Near the Eiffel Tower

Stefan Krause, Germany, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Depending on where you are staying while in Paris, visiting the Eiffel Tower isn’t always a case of simply strolling down the road.

Venturing into the 7th arrondissement might be a journey for you, so make a full evening out of it.

There are a lot of great places to eat around the Eiffel Tower. If you click here I’ll give you a list of ten! Book for dinner and once you’re done, you’ll be within walking distance of the Champ de Mars and the tower itself. Or how about a dinner cruise on the Seine?

7. You Don’t have to go all the way to the Actual Tower

Contrary to popular belief, one doesn’t have to go right up to the Eiffel Tower to properly experience it by night.

In fact, the lights of the tower make her far more visible in darkness from different parts of the city than she usually is during the day. Her long neck poking up in the skyline is viewable from many parts of the city.

Haussmann inspiration in Paris – by Guilhem Vellut – Wikimedia Commons

I love seeing the Eiffel Tower from the Louvre Gardens at night. Strolling the banks of the Seine between the 8th and 7th arrondissement also gives you great glimpses of the structure, and few views beat the one at the Jardins du Trocadero.

8. Don’t Just Visit the Eiffel Tower at Night

Image by karosieben from Pixabay

You must see the Eiffel Tower under the cover of darkness, this is a given. But it’s equally as important to visit this structure by day, too.

The Eiffel Tower at night is sheer whimsey. It’s like smoke and mirrors; a carefully curated display of lights that make you feel all kinds of things about the city and your place in it. It’s escapism, charm and wanderlust.

Eiffel Tower – by Taxiarchos228 – Wikimedia Commons

The Eiffel Tower by day, is the opposite. It’s realism and architectural brilliance.

It’s a historic monument with a story between each piece of iron that forms the incredible body, and these features are lost the minute darkness falls over the city.

Make time for both experiences while in Paris. And don’t forget to make time for our free guided Paris walking tour while you’re at it! Don’t miss out!

9. Make sure you have a Reservation at a Restaurant near the Eiffel Tower

Photo by Jim Harris on Unsplash

Before your trip to Paris at Eiffel Tower, make sure you have reservations. Lucky for you, four restaurants are close to this mesmerizing tourist attraction. You can spend quality time at Jules Verne and view Paris as you prepare to meet the Iron Lady at night.

Food is a highlight regardless of the one you choose among the four restaurants. Some of the best chefs in the city, such as Thierry Marx, might be the ones preparing your supper. Please reserve a rooftop restaurant. That way, you can see the entire city at your feet and the Eiffel Tower straight ahead of you.

Making reservations ensures you avoid last-minute inconveniences and lack a place to sleep. Resting well in these five-star venues will help you get a full experience of the Eiffel Tower.

10. Check the Weather to avoid visiting on a Cloudy day

Photo by Louis Paulin on Unsplash

A trip to the Eiffel Tower is only complete if you view the city on the observation deck. You can see the entire city from an aerial view from the deck. The show lights from the tower eliminate the environs making the shiny skylines appear extra beautiful.

A foggy or cloudy day will ruin your experience. For instance, you will capture clear photos on a clear day.

Spring is the best season to tour the Eiffel Tower in this city of love. The green surrounding is captivating to view, take photos, and stroll in the nearby region. Mild temperatures are excellent for a less sweaty night at the foot of this beauty.

Make the weather app your best friend on your plans to visit Paris to ensure a full city experience.

11. Schedule a Weekend Night on your Visit to the Tower!

Trocadero Garden and the Eiffel Tower by Fred Romero – WikiCommons

While in Paris, you have a million reasons to visit the Eiffel Tower and a million more reasons to do it on the weekend. The activities at this place will make your weekend experience heavenly.

First, you can watch Paris’ homegrown and exciting musicians perform on the streets. What is the amount you pay for these performances? Absolutely nothing. Don’t worry about the language barrier if you are unfamiliar with French. There are several performances by English-speaking musicians. Buy a souvenir on a weekend to take home.

Secondly, most eateries that close during the week are open on Saturday and Sunday. Champ de Mars is another viewpoint of the tower from the ground. Here, you can enjoy the stunning environment, which is ideal for relaxing. On top of viewing the magical lights of the tower, weekends come with many more benefits.

12. Take the 700 Stairs on your way to the Top to Experience the Eiffel Tower step by step

Guilhem Vellut from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There are plenty of options at the ground of the Eiffel Tower for those planning to get to the top. Of course, the easiest and fasts are the elevator. You can choose this option if you are patient enough to wait an hour.

I suggest that you use the stairs. I promise you that climbing the stairs will be much more fun than using the elevator in several ways. You can stop at any point on the way up to take photos, record videos or view the city.

Did I mention that the stairs are free while the elevator is paid for? Save that seven dollars for snacks and use the stairs instead. If you want to burn calories, take the stairs to the second floor before using the elevator.

13. Avoid Peak Hours if you are Short of Time or have a lot of other Activities

Trocadero – by Gianluca Cosetta – Wikimedia Commons

Planning your time properly lets you do a lot and see beyond your expectations in Paris. Knowing where there are long queues at the tower can be a big step towards having the best time in the city. Manage time and visit every place that is worth visiting in the city.

The Eiffel Tower has peak and off-peak hours, with 11 am to 5 pm being the busiest hours. Therefore your night visit is off-peak, and you do not have to worry about the long queues.

Lucky for you, the nights at the Eiffel Tower are more memorable than the daytime. Walk through the stairs freely without crowds at night hours. You will be free to take photos in a calm environment.

14. Official Souvenirs from the Shops on the Eiffel Tower will make your experience Memorable

Photo by Filip Andrejevic on Unsplash

A visit to this beautiful venue must be part of your memory for the rest of your life. Nobody will tell you this but make sure you keep the memories. One way t

o do so is by taking as many photos as possible while recording videos. However, you would want to take some physical evidence of the Eiffel Tower home.

The three shops on every tower floor have every item you love. For a few dollars, purchase Eiffel Tower replicas magnet mugs, or have chocolate with the tower’s shape. Having one of the items at home will remind you of the day.

15. Stay safe and keep your belongings where you can easily reach them

Benh LIEU SONG, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There are a lot of incidences and things that would spoil your visit to the Eiffel Tower, and losing your belongings is at the top of the list.

Remember, tens of thousands of people visit the venue daily. Some people visit with malicious intentions. While you are busy climbing the stairs, someone might be packing your bags. Avoid these scenarios.

If you have a light bag, I advise you to carry it throughout the journey. Alternatively, lock your property in the hotel room properly before leaving. Just be extra mindful of your items to avoid losses.

Moreover, for an enhanced and hassle-free experience, you may also want to consider opting for this Paris guided tour, which offers guided access to the summit of the iconic landmark.

16. Use public transportation while in Paris on the way to Eiffel Tower

Photo by Adrian Pranata on Unsplash

Wherever you come from, traffic is one thing that would delay one’s journey. Well, Paris is similar to that. As an expert, I recommend using public means for swift transportation, among many other benefits.

Public means save you some dollars because it is cheaper than Uber or private cars. Use the extra money to make the visit more exciting. The convenience of using public means is guaranteed because Paris has an extensive public transportation network.

You will get around more accessible with public transportation. Avoid traffic, and have a perfect experience of the environment on the train.

17. Please Wear Comfortable Clothes and shoes while at the Eiffel Tower

Photo by Lefteris kallergis on Unsplash

Undoubtedly, wearing comfortable clothes and especially shoes will save you from so much trouble. The Eiffel Tower is such a tall structure that it requires you to climb several stairs.

As mentioned earlier, you will walk to the second floor on more than seven hundred iron stairs. Comfortable shoes will ensure you stay energized quickly. Walking down the alley in the nearby streets will require safe shoes.

The rough terrain, gravel, and uneven paths will make you appreciate your shoes. This crowded area will be pleasant if you dress appropriately.

18. Make sure you Explore the Area to make Memories in Paris

Photo by Jacob Peters-Lehm on Unsplash

Going out of your way to explore the surrounding at the Eiffel Tower will be enriching. For some reason, the area around this beauty is more satisfying than the interior.

A night view of the tower from various angles will be fulfilling. Roam the region in the early night hours to see the light shows from a distance.

The shiny bulbs on the tower that seemed to light the entire city are more beautiful from afar. How else would you do shopping if you stayed at the foot of the tower?

Immerse yourself in French culture as you explore the surroundings. Ensure you seize the opportunity to elevate your experience with a Paris guided tour for an unforgettable visit.