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Eiffel Tower: 5 or 8pm?

Trying to buy tickets on the Eiffel Tower tour for late June. I was thinking 6-7pm would be the best, but those slots are not available. I have tried a variety of different dates (even in May) and all that is available towards the evening hours are 5 or 8pm. It is my first time in Paris and I wanted to see the view in the daylight and see it twinkle at night on the same night, if possible. I'm afraid 5pm is too much waiting around until 10pm (when it gets dark) but 8pm may be not enough time in the light. Suggestions please!! Thank you!!

Posted by
7036 posts

In June it will be light enough for good daylight views at 8:00 pm and also late enough to see sunset. The twinkling lights start at 9 and go on the hour so you should be able to see them either on the tower or when you come down. I would go at 8.

Posted by
1059 posts

On June 20, the sun sets at 9:57 pm in Paris, so 8:00 pm should be perfect.

Posted by
101 posts

8 was perfect for me. I was there mid June last year. Got to see paris in daylight, watch the sunset with a grand finale of twinkles! Magical. ps buy your tix asap eta 8 gives enough daylight

Posted by
28 posts

Thanks everyone! 8pm it is! I tried to book the tickets, it let me click on the date (which it didn't before) but when I clicked on the time, it said it wasn't available until March 29th!!! I wish they would just black out those dates, until it is time to buy! Confusing.

Posted by
2133 posts

Hi Carolyn, you can purchase tickets 90 days in advance beginning at 8:30 am (Paris time). Use the official ET website. By the way, 8 pm will be perfect! Have a great time!

Posted by
118 posts

Great information - so easy to go to the ET website. I had been trying to find tours, but the times I wanted were blocked out. Hopefully I will be able to get the time I want (8) late this week.

Posted by
99 posts

That's not a bad idea regarding the 8PM entry time. I picked 5 PM - is it possible to change your time? I don't see that option anywhere - maybe a call to customer service?

As a side note - do these viewings go rain or shine?

Posted by
1059 posts

You can go up the Eiffel Tower in the rain. If there is a lot of lightning, they will stop people from going up. We were up on the Tower during a big rain and lightning storm. Watching the lightning from the tower was amazing and if I had the opportunity to do it again, I would. Surprisingly, we did not get wet. We were on the second level and the wind was blowing from the west. We were on the east side of the tower and the tower sheltered us from the rain.

Posted by
7036 posts

High winds or lightening storms can close the top. I'm not aware of the second level being closed due to weather issues. If you can't get to the top, the second level still has great views of Paris, so it wouldn't be the end of the world.