Le tour Eiffel (la tour Eiffel) is the preeminent global symbol of Paris and the most-visited paid monument in the world, welcoming approximately seven million visitors annually. Engineered by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution, the monumental puddle-iron lattice tower rises 330 metres (1,083 feet) above the Champ de Mars in the 7th arrondissement.

Whether you choose to climb the 674 stairs to the 2nd floor, ride the glass-walled elevators to the Summit for panoramic views across Paris, dine at the Michelin-starred Jules Verne restaurant, or watch the golden lights sparkle at midnight, visiting the Eiffel Tower requires precise booking. Below is our verified 2026 guide to ticket prices, elevator vs. staircase routes, illumination schedules, photo spots, and practical visitor tips.

Quick Comparison: Eiffel Tower Ticket Prices & Ascent Options (2026)

Ticket / Level Option	Adult (25+)	Youth (12–24)	Child (4–11)	Physical Effort	Booking Window	Best For
Summit via Lift (Elevator)	€36.70	€18.40	€9.20	Minimal (Elevators all levels)	60 days in advance	First-time visitors & highest panoramic views
Summit via Stairs + Lift	€28.00	€14.00	€7.00	Moderate (674 stairs to 2nd fl + lift)	14 days in advance	Active travellers & budget savings
2nd Floor via Lift (Elevator)	€23.50	€11.80	€5.90	Minimal (Elevator to 2nd fl)	60 days in advance	Photography & visitors wary of heights
2nd Floor via Stairs	€14.80	€7.40	€3.70	Active (674 stairs on foot)	14 days in advance	Budget travellers & avoiding elevator lines
Children Under 4	Gratuit	Gratuit	Gratuit	N / A	60 days (€0 ticket req.)	Families with toddlers (strollers allowed)

1. How Much Are Eiffel Tower Tickets in 2026?

Eiffel Tower rising above the Champ de Mars Paris — The Eiffel Tower stands 330 metres tall over the 7th arrondissement of Paris

Official ticket prices for the Eiffel Tower are regulated by the operating authority (SETE). Standard adult rates for 2026 are €36.70 for elevator access to the Summit, €28.00 for stairs access to the 2nd floor plus elevator to the Summit, €23.50 for elevator access to the 2nd floor only, and €14.80 for stairs-only access to the 2nd floor.

Crucial Booking Rule: Always purchase tickets directly through the official toureiffel.paris website. Elevator tickets are released exactly 60 days in advance at 00:00 or 08:30 Paris time (CET), while stair tickets open 14 days in advance. The Paris Museum Pass is not accepted at the Eiffel Tower, and you cannot upgrade a 2nd-floor ticket to the Summit once inside the monument.

2. Should You Visit the Summit or the 2nd Floor?

Panoramic aerial view of Paris from the Eiffel Tower — Panoramic views over the Seine, Trocadéro, and Montmartre from the upper decks

The Eiffel Tower features three distinct public levels, each offering a unique perspective:

1st Floor (57 metres / 187 feet): Features a transparent glass floor walkway looking directly down onto the esplanade, seasonal cultural exhibits, and the contemporary bistro Madame Brasserie by chef Thierry Marx.
2nd Floor (115 metres / 377 feet): Widely considered the best level for photography. At 115 metres, Parisian landmarks (including the Louvre, Notre-Dame, Arc de Triomphe, and Sacré-Cœur) remain clearly identifiable rather than tiny miniatures. This floor houses the Pierre Hermé macaron boutique and the 2-Michelin-starred restaurant Le Jules Verne.
The Summit (276 metres / 906 feet): The highest publicly accessible observation platform in the European Union. Reached via glass elevators from the 2nd floor, it features Gustave Eiffel’s restored private office (with wax figures of Eiffel, his daughter Claire, and Thomas Edison) and a Champagne Bar serving vintage French cuvées.

3. Elevator vs. Stairs: Which Ascent is Better?

Choosing between taking the elevator or climbing the stairs depends on your fitness level, budget, and booking timeline:

Taking the Stairs (674 steps to 2nd floor): Climbing the south pillar stairs offers an immersive, close-up look at the intricate 19th-century wrought-iron rivets, hydraulic engineering, and historic gears. It is significantly cheaper (€14.80 vs €23.50), lines at security are shorter, and stair tickets are available just 14 days in advance when elevator slots are sold out. The climb takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes at an easy pace.
Taking the Elevator: Recommended for travellers with mobility concerns, families with young children, or those seeking an effortless ascent. Double-decker hydraulic elevators travel from the ground pillars directly to the 2nd floor in under two minutes.

4. When Does the Eiffel Tower Sparkle at Night?

Eiffel Tower illuminated against the Paris evening sky — The Eiffel Tower golden floodlights and rotating beacon at twilight

The Eiffel Tower’s golden illumination turns on automatically at dusk via automated light sensors. In addition, the tower sparkles with 20,000 flash bulbs for 5 minutes at the beginning of every hour after nightfall until 01:00 AM (e.g., 21:00, 22:00, 23:00, 00:00, and 01:00).

The Midnight Special: The final sparkle display at 01:00 AM is unique. The main golden floodlights turn off completely, leaving only the white diamond sparkles twinkling against the silhouette of the dark tower for five dramatic minutes.

5. What Are the Best Photography Spots for the Eiffel Tower?

View of the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadéro Gardens — The classic elevated view from the Place du Trocadéro across the Seine

To capture stunning photos of the Eiffel Tower without crowds in your frame, explore these four iconic vantage points:

Place du Trocadéro (Esplanade des Droits de l’Homme): The classic elevated panoramic postcard view looking directly across the Seine and Warsaw Fountains. Best at sunrise when the esplanade is peaceful.
Pont de Bir-Hakeim: A double-decker steel bridge where the elevated Metro Line 6 runs above and pedestrian walkways below provide dramatic architectural framing.
Avenue de Camoëns: A quiet residential cul-de-sac in the 16th arrondissement with a historic double stone balustrade framing the tower.
Rue de l’Université (Base view): The cobblestone dead-end at the intersection of Rue de l’Université and Avenue de la Bourdonnais places you directly under the tower’s west pillar framed by classic Haussmannian balconies.

6. Dining at the Eiffel Tower: Le Jules Verne vs. Madame Brasserie

The Eiffel Tower hosts two exceptional on-tower dining experiences, both offering skip-the-line elevator access included with reservations:

Le Jules Verne (2 Michelin Stars): Located on the 2nd floor at 115 metres, celebrated chef Frédéric Anton presents modern French haute cuisine with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Paris. Guests access the restaurant via a private direct elevator in the South Pillar. Tasting menus range from €275 to €350; reservations open 90 days in advance. For more fine dining, see our guide to Michelin star restaurants in Paris.
Madame Brasserie (1st Floor): Curated by chef Thierry Marx, this contemporary Parisian brasserie serves seasonal lunches (€60–€85) and romantic multi-course dinners (€110–€180) overlooking the Trocadéro. For casual dining across the city with spectacular skyline backdrops, browse our curated list of restaurants with a view of the Eiffel Tower.

7. How to Get to the Eiffel Tower: Stations & Entrances

The Eiffel Tower is accessible from four nearby transit stations:

Bir-Hakeim (Metro Line 6): 8-minute walk along Quai Branly. Taking Line 6 over the Pont de Passy provides an iconic open-air view of the tower from the train.
Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel (RER Line C): 6-minute walk. When riding the RER, remember our guide on how to validate Paris RER tickets.
Trocadéro (Metro Lines 6, 9): 12-minute scenic walk descending through the Trocadéro gardens and across the Pont d’Iéna.
École Militaire (Metro Line 8): 14-minute stroll across the open lawns of the Champ de Mars.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Eiffel Tower

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