Eiffel Tower on the first day?

Love Paris ❤️ Definitely doable on day 1 but I’d make reservations a bit later (maybe 6 pm) in case you run into any delays at the airport, taxi, etc. Take the girls to the top. Wonderful experience. Have fun!

In June you'll have plenty of daylight so around 6 would be a good time. But you'll be jet-lagged that first day and it might be hard to stay awake that long, or to wake up from a nap if you do that first. If you're staying awhile in Paris, you might want to do this on a later day when you'll all be in better shape for it. You could also consider two trips up the tower, on different days at different times, for different lighting (and maybe insurance against bad weather).

If you are staying nearby, at least walk over to see it from the outside on the first day even if you go up in it later.

I do recommend you be pickpocket proof there. Sometimes there are some Roma women wandering thru with clipboards running a scam where they want you to sign some kind of petition. When you are distracted with that they'll try to get into your purse. They are NOT dangerous, just want to pick your pocket. Have your money belt on and keep walking if someone starts toward you with a clipboard.

My first day routine is always to walk over to the Eiffel Tower. I approach it from the Ecole Militaire end of the Champ de Mars and walk down the path toward the tower. It tells me "Yes, I'm back in Paris!!" BTW...the Ecole Militaire or Military School at the far end from the Tower is where Napoleon went to school.

I have traveled many times with my children when they were young. Everybody is different, and react differently to Jet lag... But I wouldn't think of reserving anything on the day you land with young children. They will be in a much better mood after they get a good night sleep, and I would plan the next day.... but that is me and my experiences with my children. May work for you.

Glenn

I agree with Glenn. First day jet lag can wipe you out. I'd plan for second day.

Several years ago we visited the Eiffel Tower on our first full day - we got there early, bought tickets, waited in a short line, and up we went. If our hotel would have been closer we would have visited the first afternoon following our arrival. Have fun!

We are arriving Thursday morning with a 12 year old and have booked the top of the Eiffel Tower for Saturday. If the kids are exhausted, it won't be fun for them. I'd wait at least a day. If you are flying business class and they have beds on the plane and sleep -- maybe -- but I think it is risky.

Since that's the MAIN thing they want to do, I would save it for not the first day. We've done three trips to Europe with our now 5yo, and the first day for us is all about survival. My kiddo is a pretty good sleeper on the plane, but coming from the East Coast of the US, the best he can do is 6 hours of sleep which is at least 4 too few for him. My husband and I are also running on low sleep, making our parenting willpower greatly depleted. I agree to get out and walk around, but I'd hate to have reservations for anything we HAVE to get to. Your kids are older, so this might not be as much of an issue, but we always expect ours to have at least one meltdown at some point on arrival day, which can eat up time and add stress for everyone.

And not that you asked for other recommendations, but if you haven't seen it mentioned already, there's an incredible playground (Ludo Jardin) in the Luxembourg gardens that our kiddo loved when we were there in November. That might make for an easier arrival day activity :)

Thank you all for your great insights and suggestions! I appreciate each one!

I'd also not do the ET the first day but maybe take a Seine cruise early evening (keeps you up late enough so jet lag shouldn't be an issue) so they can see it from the river.