Eiffel Tower
Tour Eiffel · Paris, France
The 'Iron Lady' on the Seine, Paris's irreplaceable city totem
Know before you go
- Never carve or scribble on the tower's ironwork
- don't crowd around for photos at Métro entrances or sight entrances
- beware the 'friendship bracelet' scam — if someone accosts you insistently, just walk away.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
A tower built for a World's Fair
The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 Paris World's Fair and designed by Eiffel's company, the original concept coming from the company's engineers Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier. In a speech Eiffel said the tower symbolised not only the art of the modern engineer but also a century of industry and science. Many cultural figures of the day publicly opposed it, including Charles Garnier, architect of the Paris Opéra.
Source: Wikipedia: Gustave Eiffel
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Built for the 1889 World's Fair, Gustave Eiffel riveted together 7,300 tonnes of iron into a landmark once denounced by writers and now loved by the whole world. At the foot of the tower are the lawns of the Champ de Mars, where Parisians sit on the grass with wine and cheese; from the top, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Cœur and the Louvre spread out along the historic axis — a thousand years of a city at a glance.
Local customs
- The French put 'bonjour' first: greet people before getting down to business when entering a shop or asking the way
- meals and visits are all about bookings and punctuality, and lateness is considered rude.
Religion & beliefs
- France is a secular country and the tower itself has no religious character
- but keep quiet and dress appropriately when visiting churches such as Notre-Dame, and avoid sightseeing-style wandering during mass.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
France: carry your ID
- Carry your passport or official photo ID
- Leaving all your documents at the hotel
You must show ID on the spot when police ask, or at a police station within 4 hours.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: France travel advice
France: face coverings are banned in public places
- Showing your face in public places
- Covering your face in streets, shops and other public places
It is illegal, with a fine of up to €150; the law also applies to tourists.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: France travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Never carve or scribble on the tower's ironwork
- don't crowd around for photos at Métro entrances or sight entrances
- beware the 'friendship bracelet' scam — if someone accosts you insistently, just walk away.
Locals appreciate DO
Parisians appreciate unhurried, elegant travellers — sipping slowly in a café, stopping to applaud street performers and trying to say 'merci' in French all win smiles.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | The best seasons are April–June and September–October, with pleasant weather and moderate crowds |
|---|
Travel tips
- The best seasons are April–June and September–October, with pleasant weather and moderate crowds. The official website (toureiffel.paris) uses timed booking
- official 2026 prices: lift to the top EUR 36.70 for adults, second floor EUR 23.50 — book online weeks ahead in peak season
- going up an hour before sunset lets you see golden Paris and the lights coming on in one visit.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Croissant
- Duck confit
- French onion soup
Croissants, confit de canard (duck confit), soupe à l'oignon (French onion soup), escargots (in garlic butter), macarons
| Where to eat | Rue Cler market street (picnic shopping near the tower), picnics on the Champ de Mars, bistros in the 7th arrondissement |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | French restaurants serve dinner from 7 p.m.; bread placed directly on the table is normal; clear up your rubbish after picnicking on the lawns |
| Typical price per person | Picnic EUR 15–25 ≈ CNY 125–208, bistro EUR 30–50 ≈ CNY 249–415 |
| Tips | Restaurants on the tower need early booking and charge a premium — a baguette-and-cheese picnic is the most Parisian option. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
.jpg?width=640)
Herry Wibisono (herryway) · CC0
Photos
Photos
Benh LIEU SONG · Public domain
Sebastian Mellen · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources & verification notes
https://www.toureiffel.paris/fr/tarifs-janv-2026-en
Eiffel Tower official website 2026 price list https://www.toureiffel.paris/fr/tarifs-janv-2026-en
More in Europe
