Eiffel Tower
Champ de Mars
5 Avenue Anatole
Paris, France
When it comes to iconic structures the Eiffel Tower is probably on most peoples lists. It’s also easily the top tourist attraction in Paris - and that’s saying something as there is a lot to see in this city. In fact, they get an average of 25,000 visitors a day here so it gets busy! This is actually the the highest visited paid monument in the world.
The Eiffel Tower sits on the Champ du Mars and quite close to the Seine Ricer that snakes through the city. While it’s named after Gustav Eiffel most people think he designed it. In fact it was designed by two engineers who worked for Eiffel, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier with additional input later from architect Stephen Sauvestre who also worked for the same company.
Finished in 1889 it was the tallest structure in the world for quite a while until the Chrysler Building was completed in 1930. It’s tip a massive 324 metres high and the eight lifts ferry the crowds up to the top.
There are three visitor levels in the tower, level 1, level 2 and the top level. There are also two restaurants - the more relaxed 58 Tour Eiffel and the more upmarket Le Jules Verne.
It’s worth stopping at each floor for a look around. The first level has a glass viewing floor giving you an eerie 57 metre look at the ants below - well that’s what the people look like!
If your visiting Paris for the first time then the Eiffel Tower will invariably be on your list. The views are great and it’s one of the most popular proposal locations with knee’s being bent at very regular intervals every day.
Great views - even with a thumb in it!
Get there early for slightly lighter crowds, but it’s always pretty busy whatever the time. For around 25 euros it’s definitely worth it though.