Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.

Fact vs Fiction: The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

by Grant Martin (RSS feed) on Apr 10th 2012 at 10:00AM

Warm days in Paris can bring out the crowds, especially in the parks near the foot of the Eiffel Tower. While lines can be long year round, they get the worst around Bastille Day (July 14) when the picture on the right was taken. And once you get to the top, well, expect more congestion.

Next: The Acropolis in Athens, Greece >>

[flickr images via nickboos, subpop77, and joybot]

Filed under: Europe, France

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

John Apr 11th 2012 8:46AM

And don't get your hopes up about that trip to the top of the Eiffel. Even on a light day, the waits go on forever. On my last trip I simply gave up.

Mike Apr 11th 2012 9:56AM

I dont' remember the lines being all that long..and being on top was so astounding that I don't remember anything but the view. Everything looks like it does in a story book...

Gary L Apr 15th 2012 1:22PM

Always wanted to see the Effiel Tower and did so in 2010. Went there at sunset and it was beautiful. BUT, the people waiting in line to go up the tower! I passed on that one. Read in Frommers that the best time was at night, less people; LOL Was hundreds there.

Genevieve Apr 11th 2012 11:44AM

This is slightly biased. We visited Paris in February, when there's not a lot of tourists. We were able to sit and feed birds under the tower, and wander around with very few other people around.

Getting up to the top was no issue, and we spent quite a bit of time taking photos from the top.

Sherr Apr 11th 2012 12:37PM

The Eiffel Tower photo is so misleading...that photo is of people hanging out in the Champs de Mars, the grassy park area behind the tower. Probably something was going on there for Bastille day and that's why there were so many people sitting there. It had nothing to do with the lines for the tower itself, which usually form on the other side. I've been to the tower twice, and the lines can be long, but move fairly quickly. Also, some days and/or times are better than others. I think this is totally misrepresenting the reality.

Dionisia Apr 11th 2012 1:03PM

I went to Paris in December. Went to see the Eiffel Tower for the nighttime light show. There were only a few people around. I think it really depends what time of year and what time of day you're going. There were no crowds around when I went.