Things to do in Paris

Visiting the Eiffel Tower at night | A complete guide

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While Paris is best known for its cobbled-stone streets, cozy road-side cafes and romantic cruise rides on the Seine, the city of lights probably earned its name because of its dramatic view from the iconic Eiffel Tower at night. A stroll in the city after sundown allows you to experience its beauty in an entirely new perspective. The city that is decked up by dusk takes you through a visual journey of illuminated monuments, towers as well as the alleyways by nightfall. With several movies and novels capturing its glory, Paris after dark is an almost magical place to be in.

This guide will take you through how you can go about grabbing tickets for visiting Eiffel Tower at night, the experience, the view and all that in between.

Eiffel Tower at Night


Eiffel Tower at night

Standing tall in the heart of the city, the Iron Lady puts on a spectacular light show during the evening. Visitors are often in for a pleasant surprise when 20,000 bulbs on the Tower sparkle at an hourly interval, bedazzling everyone witnessing the spectacle from afar as well as up close. Although this installation was first brought on in the year 2000, it was later made permanent after the locals fell in love with the magical addition. Today, the Eiffel Tower at night attracts eager visitors from all over the world who wish for a glimpse of the stellar spectacle.

View from the Eiffel Tower at Night


eiffel tower at night

The 324-meter tall tower is not only the tallest observatory in Paris, but is also the most visited monument in the world. While it does attract a swarm of crowd on regular days as well, it provides an expansive panoramic view of the City of Lights at night. In fact, The view also comes with an option to dine on top of the tower. Spot the Sacré Coeur (Montmartre), Notre-Dame de Paris, La Fondation Louis Vuitton, Trocadéro, Montparnasse Tower, Invalides and the River Seine amongst many other monuments sparkling in the night from on top of the Eiffel Tower.

Eiffel Tower at Night - Tickets & Tours


Grabbing tickets for the Eiffel Tower at night is a simple affair. While there are no ticket only experiences to visit the Eiffel at night, you can club it with a city tour, a seine cruise or a dinner experience to get a feel of Eiffel at night.

Here's our curation of the top tickets for experiencing the Eiffel tower at night.

Dinner at the Eiffel Tower


A dinner at Eiffel Tower unlike another, 58 Tour Eiffel whisks you away on a romantic escapade with your loved one. With a set table looking out at the sprawling view of the City of Light, the warm ambiance and elegant furnishings add up to a complete meal fir for a king. Relish authentic French cuisine especially curated for a regal experience by the head chef, along with a selection of piquant wines offered by the cellar master. A three-course meal in 58 Tour Eiffel includes a portion of starters, main course and a portion of cheese or dessert to complete the experience. Give your loved one a night to remember with a gourmet meal and a bedazzling view of the illuminated city.

Know all about planning a perfect meal in the Eiffel Tower restaurants with our complete guide.

Why photos of the Eiffel Tower at night are illegal?


While it attracts a million people on a yearly basis, it is a little known fact that clicking a picture of the Eiffel Tower at night is illegal. This strange copyright law was passed down years ago, however, after the installation of lights in 1985 gave rise to another law stating that any photo/video showing the monument with visible lights is a violation on its own. Not only the Tower but the Louvre’s pyramid in Paris too is also protected under a similar law. Since France doesn’t have general freedom of panorama, the photo of the Eiffel Tower at night can only be published with prior permission.

Eiffel Tower Opening Hours & Directions


Opening Hours

Mid-June to early September
9 AM - 12:45 AM
Last elevator ride to the top leaves at 11 PM
Similar stair access timings.

Rest of the year
9:30 AM - 11:45 PM, last elevator ride to the top leaves at 10:30 PM
Stair access timings: 9:30 AM - 6 PM

DIRECTIONS

Metro: Lines 6 and 9.

RER Train: Get off at the Champs de Mars station.

Bus: 42, 69, 82, and 87.

You could also get to the Tower by using any of the Batobus boats.

Eiffel Tower Location

Tips for your Eiffel visit


  • Opt for a dinner on top of the Eiffel Tower which is a great way to enjoy the view and skip the line by making reservations beforehand.
  • Spend time on the first floor of Eiffel to catch spectacular panoramic views of the illuminated city.
  • Make sure you book your tickets prior to avoid long queues and crowds.
  • Taking the stairs is advisable as the elevator attracts a swarm of people.
  • Make sure you keep your belongings safe to avoid an unforeseen street theft.
  • During winters, carry warm clothes because it can get really breezy.
  • Booking restaurant experiences on the first two floors will help you skip the queues and proceed to a private elevator.
  • Download the Eiffel Tower app to get access to helpful information.

FAQs


Do I need to get special tickets to access the Eiffel Tower at night?

When does the Eiffel Tower close at night?

Can I click photos of the Eiffel Tower at night?

How can I get to the Eiffel Tower Summit?

How to skip the line at the Eiffel Tower?

Is the security strict at the Eiffel Tower?

Can I buy last minute tickets to the Eiffel Tower Summit on the day of the visit?

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