Sunset will be at around 10 pm ...
I'm thinking of having dinner in the area, and then grabbing a hot chocolate & pastry at Carette for a view of the Tower ...or going up and then going to Carette. I think maybe the former since I imagine it must especially spectacular at or around sunset
Is this a decent plan?
Thanks!
You don’t grab anything at Carette.
you stand in a really long line for hot chocolate. So make sure to plan for your line time.
Carol, that was an expression - I didn’t literally mean grab, I would sit ….and unless the line is incredibly line at around 10pm, I’d wait …and look at the Tower
Thanks
Personally, I think it's much nicer (and a better view) if you sit by the Seine to watch the tower sparkle. Carette's line always seems to be long, no matter the time (we were last by there in Nov and loooong lines even at 10:30pm.) And, there's no guarantee you will have a good view of the tower as the sidewalk around the restaurant is usually crowded with people.
I too think the tower is best seen from further back. And I'm not one to stand in any line if I can help it.
Kim, I really want to go there in large part because of the hot chocolate ….I’d go up as well, but are you saying the better view would not be on the Trocadero?
I guess I can always just go up the Tower if need be
Thanks!
Betsy, IMO it would be difficult to 'enjoy the view' from a table at Carette Trocadero. There's usually lots of people milling about, waiting in line, etc. etc. The restaurants there are packed together, so there are often people waiting on the sidewalk to get in to those restaurants, too. There are Métro stops at the intersections, which adds to the congestion of people. And, personally, I'd steer clear of any of the restaurants on that Trocadero circle. Super touristy, super crowded, super expensive. But...that's just my opinion. If your primary goal is to see the tower sparkle, then I'd go to one of the Quays by the Seine (left bank has some little guingettes in the summer, right bank often has marriage proposals set up at sunset, which are so charming to see.) If your primary goal is to get the Carette hot chocolate, I might try a different one other than the Trocadero location.
We watched the lights twinkle from many locations, but my favorite was from inside the tower from one of the lower floors.
I’m sure we stood on the Pont d’Iena or the Pont de L’Alma and had a phenomenal view at night.
Kim, thanks - that’s great info!
I’ll likely just go up the Tower then, and go to another location for the hot chocolate …(.the one in Places des Voges is not far from my hotel) and yes, find better spot to see the ET lit up
Thank you !!!
MNannie, I’m definitely going up, so I’m sure it will be magnificent !
SJ, sounds perfect!
Would those be the Iena & Alma-Marceau Metro stops?
Thanks!
Betsy:
I've just looked back in my photos, and we were on the Pont de Bir Hakeim.
There's a Metro line 6 station, Bir Hakeim, on the right bank nearby, and a bump-out on the bridge from where you can get good photos.
That trip I was lucky enough to see the sparkling tower every night from my rental apartment, but it's much better up close!
SH, thanks!
I had read about Bur Hakeim in this board, in one of my previous threads, lol
So I’ll go up in the ET, then get that fab view from the bridge …and it’s great that the Metro is right there!
Thank you!
