When Gustave Eiffel designed his namesake tower, he included a private apartment for himself at the top, which is now available for the public to tour.
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This apartment, where Eiffel presumably never slept, has since become an area for technical facilities. Now available for the public to tour, it is a recreation of his office which exhibits wax sculptures of Gustave Eiffel, his daughter Claire, and Thomas Edison.
Visiting time to the Eiffel Tower is not limited. However we recommend that you plan sufficient visiting time at the end of the evening (i.e. around 1 1/2 hours for a visit to the 2nd floor and 1st floor and 2 1/2 hours for a full visit up to the top).
The tower's summit can only be reached via elevator, but its first two levels are accessible through a series of winding staircases inside its pillars — 327 steps to the first level and then 347 to the second (that's 674 total if you're counting). It might sound hard, but climbing the tower is easier than you'd think.
Sightsee from top to bottom.The tower has three levels with observation platforms, at roughly 200, 400, and 900 feet, all connected by elevators and stairs. But there isn't a single elevator straight to the top (le sommet). To get there, you'll first ride an elevator (or climb 775 steps) to the second level.
To understand the value of the Eiffel Tower, we can start with its beginning. It cost $1.5 million (USD) to build the tower in 1889. Adjusting for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI), this comes to $44 million.
The room at the top of Eiffel Tower has now been renamed as Gustave's office, where you will find wax figurines of Thomas Edison, Gustave Eiffel, and his daughter. Although you cannot go inside it, you can still view the Eiffel Tower apartment from the outside.
When designer Gustave Eiffel finished his tower in 1889, he built himself a secret apartment on the third level, almost 1,000 feet above Champ du Mars. In Eiffel's time, the small room was filled with wooden furniture, colorful patterned wallpaper, and a grand piano.
Necessary maintenance and renovation work is carried out every year at the top of the Eiffel Tower and on the elevators leading from the 2nd floor to the summit, resulting in the closing of this emblematic floor to the public.
While the Tower has a total of 1,665 steps from the ground to the top, you can only climb 674 of them, from the ground to the second floor (327, then 347 steps). You cannot take the stairs all the way to the top from the second floor, as this section is not open to the public for safety reasons.
Choose between the Brasserie menu (from €48 per person, not including drinks) or the Madame menu (from €69 per person, not including drinks). A children's menu is also available for 4-11 year olds (€20). Guests can dine at 12pm or 1:30pm and it is advisable to book in advance.
It will take you around 15 to 20 minutes to climb one floor. Those keen for a sports challenge can try to make it in under 10 minutes per floor! Did you know?
The 2nd FloorYou will enjoy clear views of all of the French capital's monuments: the Louvre, Grand Palais, the bends in the Seine, Montmartre, Invalides, Notre Dame, etc. But the 2nd floor is also a treat for your taste buds with our Michelin-starred restaurant, the Jules Verne.
Night has its own beauty and visiting the Eiffel Tower during dusk is an exciting experience. It's far more relaxed. The view of the City of Lights all lit up for the evening is beautiful – like watching the stars on the Earth.