Eiffel Tower Opinion Please

I think anytime is good. I've heard that security line is shorter in the morning, but have not gone there since they started selling reserved tickets. Dusk is nice when the lights of the city start to come on. But the views in daytime, if clear, are wonderful too.

I agree w BG. Anytime is good. It stays light out til 10:30 pm ish in summer months so keep that in mind if you decide to go at dusk/night.

At 58 Tour Eiffel, the food is passable, the price is inflated and the experience is incomparable. If you're looking for a really good meal or a really good bargain, don't eat here. If you're a little more of a romantic, it can be well worth it as a one-time splurge.
We've actually done the one-time splurge twice, first as a romantic dinner on our first trip to Paris and again years later as an eye-popping "wow, we're eating on the Eiffel Tower" experience for our grand daughters.
Both times were money and time well spent in my opinion.

I have been up day (25 years ago) and night in the rain (two years ago)
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2016/05/16/the-eiffel-tower-in-the-rain/
I prefer dusk and night, but it is pretty swell either way. The system is apparently messed up at the moment so that even those with reserved times are having longer waits than usual. And there is now perimeter security just within the last few months, which means an extra step and lines.

We have never eaten at the restaurants; it might be something we will do if we have a chance to take our grandkids.

So I have another question. What if I book a ticket to the top of the Eiffel tower on a particular day and time but then it turns out to be cloudy and rainy with no visibility? Will I be able to change day/time or if not then get a refund? Thanks!

Brad, surely you jest.

I like Norma's response.

Brad, depending on how bad the weather is, they might actually close the top. If not, you get to experience it cloudy and/or rainy. No refunds, no exchanges.

I had dinner at 58 Tour Eiffel at the 9 pm seating in late May on the West Side at a window Seat and the View of the sun going down at 10 pm was amazing and being able to see the transition from day light to darkness was amazing.I thought the food was very good and the Price is the Price and the service was excellent.I did the Eifel tower to the top during the afternoon and got great views from the top and our night visit to dinner presented a totally different Perspektive.
Mike

So instead of reserving a ticket to the top ahead of time and chance picking a day and time that may have bad viewing, wouldn't it be better (In November) to just wait for a good day and suffer through waiting in line to go to the top? Would you agree with me or no???

Brad: Don't know how helpful my response will be because our experience was in 2015 before the current added security and construction. But we had the same thought about not wanting to commit to a reserved time because you can't know what the weather will do and we weren't certain about our schedule.

So we went on an afternoon in June and waited in line. It took 45 minutes to an hour. I went to the second level, while my wife and son went to the top, which had briefly closed due to wind while we were in line. Many people on this forum say standing in any line is a waste of time. But I always say we were standing in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower on a beautiful, sunny afternoon in June. Things could be worse. And maybe they are now. Sounds like the lines and hassle factor may be significantly larger these days.

Whatever you decide, hope it works out well and you can enjoy a great experience.

Brad, another option for a great view of the city (including the Eiffel Tower) would be to go up the Tour Montparnasse, an ugly but useful building not far away. Not as high, not as iconic (for sure), not as crowded, no reservation needed, and you can see the city from behind big windows. Might be a better choice unless being at the top of the Eiffel is a specific goal for you. In that case, your choice is to stand in line (perhaps not so bad in November) or take a chance on the weather with a reservation.

I agree with you Brad ; while I am not sure the average weather in November if it is how I envision ; I would not pre-book and deal with a longer line to have control over my day / time to go.

While it is hard to call it an Eiffel Tower replacement, the Tour Montparnasse that Dick mentioned has an amazing view of Paris. I advise anyone to go there for sunset / night time. The upper floor is a roof deck with 360 degree views that are the best in the city. It amazes me how un-crowded that place is (never empty but never packed as it is quite large), I assume it is because it is a little far for most tourists to walk to.

I think of going up the Eiffel Tower as something every first time visitor must do, that said the view up there I did not find so great, it is really crowded and long waits to get from the mid point to the top even with a timed ticket ; all in all something I am glad I did but I would not do again.

We were there last week. We walked to the Eiffel Tower on our arrival day on a Wednesday around 4pm and could barely move in some areas where there is sidewalk construction and all those street vendors. Even the Trocadero area had people everywhere. I was surprised for a weekday evening.

Our ticket to go to the Summit was Sunday morning at 10am and we braced for the crowds arriving early, around 9:30. We went through security, onto grounds and waited only one elevator to get to the summit. We were at the summit before 10, took elevator down to the second level, visited there, stairs to first level, visited there, stairs to ground, and leaving for lunch near our hotel by 11:15, as we took all our ground photos our arrival day.

So, I would suggest morning!