0 Eiffel Tower, Paris

 

 

 Men love to build towers (perhaps it’s something about the shape) and Gustave Eiffel was no exception. Commissioned to build an eye-catching entryway for Paris’ upcoming Exposition Universelle, he finally unveiled his 300 meter high iron icon in 1889. The structure was only meant to stand for 20 years but won global admiration for its beautiful architectural form and has stood its ground (for 123 years so far), despite attempts to demolish it by aliens (Mars Attacks) and Thunderbird puppets (Team America: World Police). Put it on your "Bucket list." After all, 6 million people a year can’t be wrong. Visiting hours from July to September are 9AM –12.30 AM. Miss the rush by arriving first thing or catch the last entry at midnight.

Speaking of crowds, I suppose that I visited Paris with great naivete. The Statue of Liberty (another Eiffel creation), the Washington Monument, and many other landmarks around the world sit on sites where they are surrounded by open space but none of the landmarks which I saw in Paris are similarly located. While there is a large field on one side of the Eiffel Tower, there is a very busy roadway just a few meters away on the other side and at its feet there are all sorts of tourist oriented vendors.

Visiting the Eiffel Tower is simply a must and you will be rewarded for your efforts. Yes, the lines can be long, but there are ways to reduce the wait. If you're in the mood to "splash out" a bit, dining at Jules Verne is an exceptional experience and you gain access via a private elevator. A horse drawn carriage ride originating at the base of the Eiffel Tower was wonderful---the 90 minute ride was ideal and lots of fun for our family. And my daughter and I have the most wonderful souvenirs---necklaces containing a real piece of the Eiffel Tower---truly incredible souvenirs and fantastic conversation starters. We've been to the Eiffel Tower many times, and each time we find something new to enjoy. So whatever you do, be sure to visit, whether you go all the way up, part way up, or just enjoy the view from the park, you're sure to be inspired.

On the MAG 7 forum I read a number of comments, critics, on the 1000 and more often redundant tips about the Tour Eiffel so that I felt somewhat guilty having written this tip. I only hope that my review is a bit different from the others.

When I came out of the Musée de la Marine at the Trocadero I faced what is for sure the best view on the Eiffel Tower.
As on the day before I had visited the Invalides Army museum and the WW II department with documents of the German occupation, I realised that it was from that Trocadero Esplanade at the exact place where tourists are now viewing the Tour Eiffel that on Sunday June 23, 1940 around 8 am, Adolf Hitler was standing to view the Tour Eiffel and the occupied Paris as shown by that famous photo at the Army museum (photo 2). He would never come back to Paris.

These 4 years were the worst for France and the Tour Eiffel.
They ended with the liberation of Paris by the French 2e Division Blindée under command of general Leclerc on August 25, 1944 and the famous discourse of General De Gaulle:
"Paris outragé ! Paris brisé ! Paris martyrisé ! mais Paris libéré !"

There was fierce fighting at the Champ de Mars when a platoon of Spahis from the 2e DB attacked the Ecole Militaire where 250 Germans resisted during 4 hours against the French troops.
At 12.30 h on August 25, 1944 the French flag was put again on the top of the Tour Eiffel by 6 Sapeurs-Pompiers from the fire brigade of Paris. It took them 25 minutes to climb the 1665 steps under the fire of the German soldiers.

The good years for tourism at the tour Eiffel were back (the Tour Eiffel was closed from 1940 till 1945) with nearly 7 millions entries in 2010! 250 millions visitors since its construction in 1889.
I read in the French press that the access to the Tour Eiffel will be improved in order to reduce the queuing. I have been more than a dozen times on the Champ de Mars and each time the queues discouraged me. Now I like to stand at the bottom of the tower and look up to the biggest "Mecano" structure in the world.

It is also the intention to have visitors spend more money once in the tower by offering more catering possibilities. Somebody at the management realised that the prices of the upper restaurant are not for budget travellers! Lunch at the Jules Verne restaurant is at 85 € and dinner at 200 €. Bon appétit!

The Eiffel Tower is open every day.
From 9 a.m. to midnight from 17 June to 28 August, and from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the rest of the year.
The prices vary between 4,50 € (stairs to 2nd floor), lift to 2nd floor (8,10 €) or lift to top at 13,10 €.
Buying tickets (only those with lift included) is possible on line at http:// ticket.toureiffel.fr on a chosen day and time (subject to availability).
With the printed electronic ticket or saved on your mobile ‘phone you can go straight to the queue for people with tickets.