Eiffel Tower Climbing Tour with Summit Access
Get your steps in to the second floor before taking the elevator to the summit for epic Paris views
Eiffel Tower summit tickets are impossible to score, and paired with long elevator lines, you'll quickly lose your enthusiasm for exploring this landmark. Our budget-friendly guided climb is perfect for active travelers wanting a unique adventure. Skip the scramble for tickets and hike up to the second level with a friendly guide, then ascend to the summit for unbeatable views of Paris. Conquer France’s most iconic landmark and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
- Meeting point at Castel Café
- Eiffel Tower
- Climb to 1st level
- Climb to 2nd level
- Elevator to Summit
- Glass floor
- End inside Eiffel Tower
After meeting your guide near the Eiffel Tower, you’ll pass through the security area to begin your climb. Your first stop is the 1st and 2nd levels of the Eiffel, which you'll reach by climbing the stairs. Afterwards, ascend to the summit of the Eiffel Tower, where you’ll have an unmatched view of the city from a staggering 906 feet (276 meters)! You’ll be given access to the summit elevator for this part of the tour. Along the way, your guide will inform and entertain with stories of the city’s history and the tower’s construction.
Finally, your guide will bring you back to the first floor by elevator, where the crowds are usually smaller, and you can walk on the 188-foot-high glass floor, where you’re free to stay for as long as you please.
Eiffel Tower Summit Climb Tour Description
Your 2.5-hour tour includes:
Guided climb to the first and second levels
Access to the summit by elevator
Fun, informative local guide (English-speaking)
Maximum group size of 19
Eiffel Tower climbing tickets don’t include skip-the-line access, so there may be a short wait before you begin your climb. If you just want daytime access to the Eiffel Tower without climbing, then check the FAQs for some alternative ways to experience the tower.
First and Second Floor Access
The first part of your tour includes climbing the 674 stairs to the 2nd level. Upon reaching the second-level observation deck, you'll be greeted by views of the city's most iconic landmarks, including the Arc de Triomphe, Champs- Élysées, and Notre Dame. You'll also have time to take pictures and enjoy the view.
Ascend to the Summit
I'ts time to catch the elevator with your friendly local guide to the very top level of the Eiffel Tower. From here you will enjoy incredible views of Paris - 906 feet below you, to be exact! Once you've finished admiring the spectacular views, you’ll then head down to the first floor. Since most tours don't stop at the first level, you'll have a chance to avoid crowds and observe views that many don't get to see.
You’ll even be able to walk on Eiffel’s best-kept secret - the glass floor that sits 188 feet (57 meters) above the ground!
Why Was the Eiffel Tower Built?
All the way back on 1889, the nation celebrated the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Two years earlier, one plan had been selected from 107 proposals for an adequate centerpiece for this grand event.
Construction began on February 28, 1887. After just 2 years, on March 31, 1889, Gustave Eiffel himself showed a group of officials and journalists the newly-completed tower. The elevators were not yet in operation, but a few of the group climbed the entire 1,710 stairs all the way to the top! (There are 1,665 total today.)
The French tricolor flag was raised before a 25-gun salute. A few months later, the World's Fair officially began and members of the public flocked to the tower. Almost 2 million people climbed the tower during the fair alone.
Has It Always Been Popular With the French Public?
The initial reception for what is now a universally beloved monument was a little frosty. Several prominent Parisians protested the building, saying it did not fit in with the rest of the city. One famous opponent, writer Guy de Maupassant, vocalized his opinion of hating the tower but ate at its restaurant frequently. When confronted with this apparent contradiction, he claimed to frequent the Eiffel Tower’s restaurant because it was the only place in the city from which you couldn’t see the giant structure!
The rest is history. The Eiffel Tower has enjoyed immense popularity despite the early protests and is now one of the most visited paid attractions in the entire world. An estimated 6-7 million people a year get tickets to climb the tower and see Paris from up high.
At 986 feet tall upon construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. as the tallest building in the world. It was bested by New York's Chrysler Building in 1930. Since the tower is made of wrought iron, it actually grows and shrinks with temperature changes. In the summer, it's about 6 inches higher than in winter.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Water, a camera, and comfortable shoes to wear during your climb.
What to bring?
Water, a camera, and comfortable shoes to wear during your climb.
Can I remain at the Eiffel Tower after the tour?
Yes, after the tour, feel free to remain as long as you'd like taking in the amazing views.
Is the tower summit (top level) included on this tour?
Yes! This tour includes climbing tickets to the second level and elevator access to the summit of the Eiffel Tower.
Can I bring my kids?
There's no age limit for ascending the tower, but they will need to be capable of climbing 674 stairs.
Will I skip the line on this tour?
Eiffel Tower climbing tickets don’t include skip-the-line access, so there may be a short wait before you begin your climb. If you just want daytime access to the Eiffel Tower without climbing, then check out our first and second floor tickets or our Skip the Line Eiffel Tower Tour with Seine River Cruise
What if I'm nervous about heights but really want to go to the summit?
We understand it can be a little fearful for anyone concerned about heights. Fortunately, there are heavy-duty fences around each level to keep people secure. In addition, you can step inside the enclosed inner areas of the Eiffel Tower if you need to take a break from being on the outer floor.
What happens if the Summit is closed?
Our climbing tour will still run, even if the Summit is closed! You'll spend more time on the 1st and 2nd levels of the tower, and we will provide a partial refund.
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