Starting from the parvis beneath the Eiffel Tower, the journey upwards offers an experience like no other, with stunning views, historic details, and breathtaking heights along the way.
Breathtaking Views from the Parvis
As you stand at the parvis, the vastness of the Eiffel Tower commands attention. From this vantage point, you’ll appreciate the elegance of the puddled iron structure and the monumental scale of the four supporting pillars—each representing a cardinal direction: East, South, North, and West.
The tower’s design seems to rise majestically above you, a testament to Gustave Eiffel’s genius. Take a moment to admire the alignment of Paris’s historical axis, stretching from the Trocadéro to the Military School, framing the tower in perfect symmetry with the city.
The Historic Elevators: A Marvel of Engineering
After marveling at the view from below, you step into one of the Eiffel Tower’s legendary elevators. These hydraulic lifts are as iconic as the tower itself.
Operating from the East and West pillars, these elevators have been in service for over a century and have been modernized to ensure the best possible ride. The North pillar’s elevator, fully renovated in 2024, offers another thrilling ride to the second floor.
As the elevator ascends, the cityscape of Paris gradually unfolds below, leaving you in awe as you rise higher.
The First Floor: A Spectacular Experience
The first floor of the Eiffel Tower is a true highlight, offering a unique architectural experience with its transparent, slanted floors that make you feel like you’re floating above the ground.
Interactive displays and discovery tours on this level allow you to learn about the tower’s history and engineering marvels, including the glass floor—a thrilling feature that lets you see the world below through the transparent platform.
This level also offers panoramic views of Paris, including the Seine River, the Louvre, and the Grand Palais.
The Second Floor: Dining in the Sky
Continuing your ascent, the second floor of the Eiffel Tower offers an even more spectacular view.
From here, you can see Paris spread out in all directions, with landmarks like Notre Dame, Montmartre, and the Invalides clearly visible.
Le Jules Verne, a Michelin-starred restaurant, occupies a prestigious spot on the second floor. Here, you can enjoy gourmet dining with a view, all under the direction of chef Frédéric Anton. For a more casual experience, the Madame Brasserie, located on the first floor, offers a taste of modern French cuisine with an unbeatable view.
Alongside the dining options, interactive panels and a virtual reality experience immerse visitors in the history of the tower, allowing you to explore the engineering feats and the cultural significance of this iconic structure.
This floor also leads to the final leg of the journey: the summit.
The Summit: The Ultimate Parisian View
The final leg of the journey is truly unforgettable. Ascend to the summit of the Eiffel Tower, where the views of Paris are simply unparalleled.
At 276 meters, you’re above the bustling city, with panoramic vistas stretching as far as the eye can see. The sound of Paris fades away, replaced by the wind as it whips around the observation deck.
The summit features two levels—one open to the elements and one enclosed. Whether you visit during the day, when Paris sparkles in the sunlight, or in the evening when the city lights twinkle beneath you, the view is nothing short of spectacular.
At the summit, don’t miss the recreation of Gustave Eiffel’s office. Step into a space filled with wax figures, depicting Eiffel himself and his daughter welcoming the famous inventor Thomas Edison. The office’s decor, including the phonograph that Edison gave to Eiffel, transports you back to the late 19th century, when the Eiffel Tower was first conceived.
Also at the summit are orientation panels, where you can pinpoint various major world cities, noting their distance and landmarks. For an extra treat, find the miniature model of the tower’s original summit from 1889, which offers a glimpse into the design and appearance of the tower when it first opened.