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Eiffel Tower Security Measures FYI

We just arrived to Paris this afternoon!

Despite the train strike, we made it to Paris from Avignon-- well, that's another story...

Anyway, when we arrived to the Eiffel Tower, I was surprised to see a temporary fence all around it.
Before one can enter the area under the tower, one has to go through a security check where they look into your bag/ purse. You cannot bring any type of liquids or gels with you. So,if one is carrying water, sunblock, lotion, gel deodorant, or anything that qualifies as
a liquid/gel, it will get taken away...Basically the security guards ask you to throw it in the trash can right there & then.

There was a young women in front of us & the guard would not let her through, unless she got rid of her gel deodorant.

My daughter & I had 2 water bottles, so we decided to drink the water instead of having it thrown out.
When the guard checked my bag, he asked me throw out my empty water bottle!

So, if you plan to visit the Eiffel Tower( even if not going up) beware of these security measures.
Also avoid bringing any sharp items such as Swiss Army knives, scissors, etc...
Just pretend you're going through airport security... Except you don't need to take off your shoes or go through an X-ray machine!

Safe travels!

Priscilla

Posted by
5293 posts

I forgot to mention this important fact.

If you have tickets to the ET, there is a separate security line (on the left side as you face the portable trailer) with a green sign which reads; "Visitors with Reservations"

Just make sure you arrive to the tower with plenty of time, because the security lines may be long

Posted by
16541 posts

Another 'atta girl for Priscilla; the Queen of Roll With 'Da Punches!

Posted by
1641 posts

Thanks for the heads up on the liquids. Well go up the ET on July 3rd

Posted by
32352 posts

That's certainly an interesting an unprecedented development. I wonder if these measures will be in place from now on, or just during Euro 2016?

Great information Priscilla! Thanks for posting.

Posted by
42 posts

Thanks so much for the heads up! We'll be there in a couple weeks. I was wondering how the Euro Cup will affect things there.

Posted by
5293 posts

Yes, I presume the fence around the tower was purposely installed because of the Euro 2016 event.

Apparently, the Euro Cup matches will be televised on the huge screen that is presently installed on the Champs du Mars grounds just next to the tower.

So, the fence around the tower is in place to keep the crowds away from the tower.

There is also a huge white & orange soccer ball hanging from the center of the tower (between the first & second levels)

My daughter wanted to take a photo of the tower looking up, while standing in the center of the tower, but the ball is in the way.

Anyway, our tickets are for Friday afternoon, and I will post any other relevant information ( if any)

Safe travels!

Priscilla

Posted by
2466 posts

Security has been increased at the Eiffel Tower and the police aren't kidding around.

This area - and the fan zone - will be on the highest possible alert level until the soccer finals are over with - Sunday, 10 July.
Hopefully, more people will see this and will leave backpacks, etc at home when they visit this area.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks for the heads up. I arrive in Paris in 2 weeks and unfortunately have not been able to secure ET tickets in advance. Was going to try standing in the lines (with my two teenage daughters and 75 yr old mom - UGH) but then saw that if I purchased the Paris PassLib' I could get the tickets up to the 2nd level on a date of my choice and could purchase another ticket up to the summit. I didn't find mention of this pass in Rick's 2016 guide book and was planning on getting just the recommended Museum Pass for my mom and I since my girls are 14 and 17. Has anyone bought this pass and would recommend it??? Any thoughts/recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Merci!

Posted by
2466 posts

The Paris Pass Lib' requires you to pay a 15 EU supplement to access the upper levels of the Eiffel Tower, and includes a bunch of stuff that you might not use - but will have paid for.

The Paris Museum Pass does not include entrance tickets to the Eiffel Tower.
If you go early enough to stand in line, you should be able to purchase same day tickets. Buy or bring along a lightweight folding stool for your Mom - you'll be standing in line a lot in Paris.
You can purchase a daily Mobilis transport pass for zones 1 and 2 for 7 EU - good for unlimited bus and Metro trips. Kids pay a reduced fee.

All of these passes can be purchased in the airport or major train station tourist kiosques or in Metro stations at the machines.

Posted by
15784 posts

The flip side of the coin is that the photos with the ball are unique . . . who else will have them?

Enjoy. I'm looking forward to hearing all about your adventures when you get home.

Posted by
5293 posts

Here is the scoop...

We arrived to the Eiffel Tower an hour before our specified entry time, because I didn't now how long the first security line would be. As mentioned before, there's a separate entrance labeled with a green sign that reads; "visitors with reservations".
We were fortunate to walk right through it, since there was no line, however, there was a long line for the people that didn't have tickets.

Once inside the fenced grounds, one goes through a second security check point (prior to getting to the elevator), similar to the ones found at airports, where bags/purses get scanned via X-ray machines & everyone goes through a metal detector. We didn't bring any bags, so it was an easy process.

Don't attempt to enter this 2nd security check point until the time specified on your ticket.

Once you go through (2nd) security, your ticket will get scanned by a staff member & you wait for the elevator. This whole process took about 30 minutes for us, because there was a large group of about 20 students, that entered before us.
Once you get to the second level, you wait in another line to go to the summit (if you have purchased such a ticket)
We waited about 15 minutes.

BTW, if you need a WC, you can find one in the summit, & there was no line to enter!

We thought the views at the second & summit levels were spectacular!

The line(s) to catch the elevator(s) going down seemed to take longer though...

Chani,
You are absolutely right!
We have unique photos of the Eiffel Tower ;-)

Posted by
10201 posts

bumping up as this will be an issue for people all month.

Posted by
5293 posts

Thanks Kim!

I wonder how long it will take for them to dismantle the fence, once the Euro 2016 concludes on July 10th.

Last night we decided to go to Trocadéro to watch the tower lights twinkle after sunset.

When we arrived, there were hundreds of people, all ready with their phones & cameras to capture the moment.
We also encountered some of the same vendors that walk around the tower with
Eiffel Tower trinkets ( key chains, towers that light up, etc, etc...) These guys will ask if you want to buy something, but they don't harass you in any way.

I didn't see any police around the Trocadéro, but while walking there, we did see a caravan of about 20 police vans heading somewhere.

Despite the lack of police, we felt safe amongs the hundreds of people, & then waiting for the bus by ourselves afterwards.

Posted by
11507 posts

We had timed entry tickets for June 3rd.
We did go through bag scan etc.. but it was no big deal.. we did not have to throw away water bottles..
We did notice a large bin of confiscated knives though.. it appears many people bring knives for picnicking.. and oh oh.. they are not permitted.

I still think going to top is highly overrated ( guess it was my 4 th or 5 th time up there.. crowded and views do not seem worth the extra lining up you have to do on second level )

Big fan of the second level , have been up there probably ten times now ( over 45 years.. )