So, let's talk about the Eiffel Tower....

What is there to dissent to? You go or don't go.

Generally, people that don't summit go to the 2nd floor and walk down to the 1st.

There's no way you can fall off any of the platforms, they're solid. There are restaurants there, stores, bathrooms, places, to sit, etc. Other than the view, you wouldn't even know that you're on the ET while on it. I spent 4 hrs there in October. The summit was closed that day.

There are security lines before the ticket lines, then security again before entry to the ET.

We were last there in May 2019. We bought tickets ahead of time and I don't remember much of a wait at all. Not more than 20 minutes. There was a line, but it moved very quickly.

It's a very solid structure with solid floors.. My husband has a fear of heights and he didn't have a problem.

I have a fear of heights and did fine at the summit, FWIW.

Be cautious on the stairs if it is raining or if they are even just a little bit wet. My dad took the stairs when they went and on his way down it was raining and he easily slipped. Torn rotator cuff on the first day of their trip:(

That's a bummer mikliz! Good heads up.

I walked up to second level as a college student. Felt a little bit like filling time in the tourist rut. But then again it's quite iconic, so if I hadn't already done it I probably would still be interested, if that makes sense ....

Buy your tickets on-line a couple of months ahead of time to reserve your time. We had a short wait. Those without tickets had a long wait.

I get very dizzy with open heights, so I didn’t go near the stairs -can’t comment on that aspect of it.

Rick Steves suggests this as an alternative to going up the Eiffel Tower:

“Montparnasse Tower Alternative: If your heart isn't set on going inside the Eiffel Tower itself, remember that you can enjoy a spectacular Paris view (most Parisians prefer it to the Eiffel's) from atop the Montparnasse Tower — where the Eiffel Tower is part of the vista (and the ugly Montparnasse Tower isn't). The visit is both cheaper and less crowded — no need to reserve.”

I did this and it really is a wonderful view of the city! I just walked right up to the ticket window and went straight up - no waiting, no lines, both indoor and outdoor viewing areas. I didn’t miss going up the Eiffel Tower at all.

Here’s their website: https://www.tourmontparnasse56.com/en/

Alternatives to the Eiffel Tower completely miss the point. IMHO. The point is not the view, it is being at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Can't imagine bothering and not going to the top (if possible) and the thrill is being on the Eiffel Tower. There are lots of high places with good views in Paris that are free like Galleries Lafayette and the top of the Institute Monde Arabe --- good places to visit but not the experience of going up the Eiffel Tower.

We have tickets for April 9 to take our grandchild; it will probably rain; we will go anyway.

Very helpful feedback!

I visited Paris in 2016, and had similar concerns re the platforms, stairs, the elevators, my fear of heights, etc. I decided to purchase just a ticket to the 2nd floor, figuring I'd see how I felt about the height and continue on to the summit from there--at that time you could buy a separate ticket for the summit from a booth on the 2nd floor. Other people in both elevators were just as anxious and we just closed our eyes as we ascended. The one to the summit was particularly unnerving and I realize it's seeing everything flash by that I don't like, because once there it was perfectly fine, and such a spectacular view is well worth it the anxiety. I took the stairs from the 1st floor back to ground level--while they are open there is essentially a cage around so you wouldn't fall through to the ground if you slipped.

I’ll just add that some of the travel advice you are reading is pre-covid. Now with more things requiring timed entry the lines may not get back to pre-covid levels even as tourism returns.

You can google "Eiffel Tower stairs" for images to see how they look. Several years ago I walked up to the second floor too and with my techical background I was interested in the strucure of the tower, so the stairs too. The stairs are in the open air as everybody knows but the gaps between the steps are closed so you can't see through it. The steps are made of sheet metal with a teardrop pattern for more grip, nevertheless can be slippery when wet. That you can't see through it is done for those with fear of hights and the closed structure also to prevent objects falling down with a risk of injury for those walking underneath. Solid wire mesh is much used for the sides of the stairs, so you can see through that and can be a problem for those with an extreme fear of heights.

Hi - We were just in Paris last week for spring break and we bought tickets in advance online and our line for the elevator was pretty short. I think we waiting about 30 minutes. There was a much larger line to buy tickets.
We actually took two elevators to the summit. You are required to take one elevator to the middle part (all guests regardless of the ticket they purchase) and then get out and look around. From this platform, if you buy tickets to the summit, you take additional elevator up - hold on the tickets it gets pretty windy.

Both outside platforms had large lattice. My son who is afraid of heights did just fine. It felt super safe.

Additionally on our return back down to the middle part, we were required to take the elevator from the summit to the middle part. However, once on the middle platform, my sons and I opted to walk this part all the way down- all of the staircases are open air - but completed enclosed with metal lattice too. It was super long and I think it took us about 20 minutes to walk down (but I was trying to keep up with 11-17 year old who were going pretty fast It was not easy one my legs - even going down. But it was really fun.

We were not allowed to walk up from the bottom. We were not allowed to walk down from the Summit. The middle part seemed to be the only option that we saw.
We bought tickets for 6 pm - I was hoping to avoid the crowds.

Well -thanks to all for your responses.

We will visit the second and first floors - descending the stairs are an option - I have a trip plan - and all the sites we will visit - will be pre-booked for a later in the day visit.

I think we will give the Summit a miss ...

A Seine river cruise -will include a view of the twinkling lights!

You're also asking questions about a visit 1.5 years away. The tower will obviously be the same, but practices and procedures won't be.

As for Lafayette, I was just up on their roof and also Printemps. Disappointing. Others have noted that Paris isn't much of a city to look down on and that seems to be the case.

And I know everyone hates the Montparnasse Tower, but boy it's handy for navigating when you're in the 6th.

Yikes - rather discouraging .

I agree with the suggestions to visit the Montparnasse Tower instead.

The Eiffel Tower is such an iconic landmark in the Paris skyline and of course it is the one thing you will not see if you are on the tower itself.

Montparnasse Tower is cheaper and less crowded and I would highly recommend it (I did it and saw the Eiffel Tower in the skyline and had no regrets about that decision).

A different perspective!!

Thank you for sharing...

Just returned from Paris. We got tickets ahead of time for the ET and still had to wait in security lines for maybe 45 minutes but not too bad. We took the elevator up to the second level only. I don't like heights either but felt very secure up there. We walked down to the first level. After our visit we walked across the nearest bridge to see the tower all lit up from the distance; it was so lovely! Enjoy!

My husband has a severe fear of heights. We went to the summit once and he kept his back to the building. Wouldn’t venture to the rail. The next visit we went to the second level (he did fine). But he decided he didn’t want to wait for the elevator so he took the stairs down. And regretted it. I wouldn’t recommend it.

The viewing platforms are solid. You can google “Eiffel Tower second floor images” to get an idea what you’re in for.

I have a terrible, debilitating fear of heights. But I visited all of the levels, staying away from the railings as much as possible. At the top, the wind was howling and the floor was shaking and even though I was freaked out, I forced myself to go to the outside top platform. I got up to railing, got soaked with rain, and then got back to the elevator and back to the ground as fast as I could. In retrospect, I am SO glad that I did it. I had a very similar experience on the top of the Arc de Triomphe. It was scary in the moment, but I just went with it and now all I remember is how cool it was seeing Paris from those two iconic vantage points.

Wow! Good for you! We plan to go to the second floor and then explore the first. Hoping to go later in the day to catch the lights at the end of our experience and before our Seine River cruise!

I, like you, have a fear of heights. This was not even a slight problem taking the elevator to the first or second floors, or enjoying being on those floors. We went to the top because our granddaughters really wanted to go. I was clinging to the inside wall up there but, because it's totally enclosed, did not feel as fearful as I thought I would.
The stairs are another matter. They are open lattice work, but safely enclosed. That was some consolation to my reasoning self, but did nothing to calm my emotions. We went several years ago so I can't say things are arranged now the way they were then. I took the elevator down to the first floor only to find that I couldn't take it back up to the second (long story). I had to use the stairs. It was white-knuckle all the way. Other people were enjoying themselves as they whizzed past me in both directions but that didn't make me feel less anxious.
It's hard to compare one's fear of heights to someone else's, especially a stranger's, but I would encourage you to avoid the stairs. I hope you can enjoy the tower, though. It's not like anything else

Your feedback is so helpful!

We will not take the stairs - I will be 62 when we travel - another person posted that her Dad had fallen on the stairs - so I don't want to take that risk as well. i am in good shape and I walk three times a week - but still ...

The second and first floor are our goals - perhaps a picnic lunch before hand - and of course, seeing the lovely lights in the evening!

Followed by a cruise on the Seine.

Little touches of fun - here and there - no jam packed schedule!

Looking forward to our trip!