Eiffel Tower Tour and/or dinner and how to avoid the long lines

There's no restaurant on the top level.

Jules Verne is on the second level. For the last few years, it's had a Michelin one-star rating. It stiffs you a couple hundred bucks a head. If you've never eated in a rated restaurant before, this might be a good place to try it. We have, once, and may some day again. You get a special elevator deal for this price.

The 58 is on the first level. The food is about half as much and sucks. My wife has eaten there, once, and says she will not again.

For something halfway between in price and really good grub with a better view (since it also includes a view of the ET, consider Le Ciel de Paris at the top of the Montparnasse Tower. That one we go back to if we've been eating soup for a while.

Wife and I were there a month ago. Went against the recommendations of most on this site and made lunch reservations at Jules Verne. No waiting as they have a dedicated lift. Seated on the windows for over two hours, we enjoyed an unbelievable view of the city. Had a fabulous meal which, with coffee and desert, cost 200 euro total. I thought it was worth it and my wife agreed. Service was excellent as well. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again instead of standing on line for hours.

Patty - my husband and I also made reservations and had dinner at the Eiffel Tower the day we arrived in Paris. While it was a great way to ensure that we got out and about - the meal was a disappointment for the price. If I'm not mistaken in 08 we paid 2 - 3 hundred euros. I think you can find a much nicer meal elsewhere for half the price. Go and enjoy the views but save your money. Stella

The only way to avoid the long lines is to go to Jules Verne. I went with my husband and 2 year old son and had a wonderful lunch for 220EUR. It basically gives a nice lunch and free tower view. But with a group of 7, you'll have to make a reservation way in advance. It's a tiny restaurant for obvious reasons. If you're thinking of doing this, you'll have to plan ahead.

http://www.minitraveler.ca

Consider the following: an absolutely beautiful view of the city, the boulevards, Sacre Couer, and the Eiffel Tower can be had from the top of the Arc d' Triomphe. People don't realize that you can go to the top of the Arc. No, it doesn't have a restaurant, but you won't be waiting in any long lines either - I liked it better than the view from the Eiffel Tower. Another hint is to go up there at about 9:30 p.m. as the lights on the Eiffel Tower are lit at about 10 p.m. and you will have just the most amazing, sparkly, magical view of the tower and the city. Plus, super bonus, the cost of the Arc d' Triomphe is included as one of the venues if you've bought a Museum Pass.

We had good luck not waiting in any lines at all the day we visited the Eiffel Tower - I'm not sure, it was the middle of July - but for some reason it was quiet (first thing in the morning on a rainy day.) Sometimes you get lucky.

We were in Paris last week, and I didn't think there was much of a line at the tower. We waited for about 15 minutes for tickets, then about 30 minutes for the elevator to go from the second level to the top. This was the only place in Paris where we had to wait! But I have to agree, even climbing up the steps of the Arc, I liked that view just as well. I probably wouldn't have gone to the tippy top of the tower if it hadn't been for my husband saying I would regret it later. I thought the view was much better from the second level (which is cheaper than going to the tippy top). Oh, we went on Saturday around 3-4pm. After we were done, and came back down there was a longer line...tour buses started to unload. So, perhaps we just timed it right??

My husband and I had dinner in the Jules Verne restaurant on June 2nd. We had an amazing time. The food was wondeful and the service was beautifully choreographed. We were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and thought it was worth the expense. Not sure if I would do it for a party of 7.

We plan to be in Paris this weekend. Is Sunday around 8:30 PM considered a long wait or should we prebuy tickets for that spot while still in the USA?

What happens if you miss your time slot and are late?