Is the Eiffel Tower's second floor worth your time? Definitely! Here are some reasons why:
There are two ways to reach the second floor of the Eiffel Tower – stairway and elevator.
There are 674 steps to the second floor of the Tower. You get to decide the pace of your ascend. You can take breaks in between if you are tired and stop to admire unparalleled views of the Parisian skyline. Another benefit is that the prices of stair tickets are cheaper than those of the elevator. Plus, a shorter waiting queue.
Climbing the Eiffel Tower StairsTake the elevators for a smooth climb up the Tower. If you’re traveling with kids or are someone with reduced mobility, then elevators are your best bet. The only downside is that you might have to wait for 2-3 hours for your turn to get into the elevator.
How to Access the Eiffel Tower Lifts?The huge observation deck is the most famous aspect of not just the second floor but also the Eiffel Tower and rightly so because it offers unobstructed and the most stunning views of the City of Love. Enjoy panoramic views of several Parisian landmarks like the Louvre, the Seine River, the Champs Elysees, the Notre Dame de Paris, the Grand Palace, the Place du Trocadero, the Champ de Mars, and more.
One of the two fine dining restaurants inside the tower, Le Jules Verne, is run by Michelin-star chef Alain Ducasse. The restaurant offers traditional French cuisine with a twist and is a must-visit on your trip to the Eiffel Tower. Book your table in advance and just sit back and enjoy a lavish meal with wonderful views of the city for company.
Dining at the Eiffel TowerSatiate your love for macarons by indulging in delicious ones right here at the Macaroon Bar on the second floor. It’s a small bar that sells macarons of all kinds and flavors. If you are someone who loves this classic French dessert, then you must grab a few on your visit to the Tower.
Head to the Seine Gift Shop for bespoke souvenirs. The shop does customized laser engravings on glass and accessories making each souvenir look unique and beautiful. There’s another gift shop called La Verriere, which boasts the largest collection of reproductions of the Eiffel Tower. It’s a shop dedicated to the iconic steel structure and a must-visit if you’re looking for souvenirs or gift items to take back home.
The second floor of the Eiffel Tower has a few facilities that you can avail of on your visit.
A. You will have to climb 674 steps to reach the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. In total, there are 1665 steps from the base to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
A. The second floor is 115m from the ground.
A. Yes. You can buy hosted entry tickets to reach the second floor of the tower. You can buy your tickets here.
A. You can either take the stairs or the elevator to reach the second floor of the Eiffel Tower.
A. Yes, you can upgrade your ticket to include access to the summit and then take an elevator from the second floor to the summit of the Eiffel Tower.
A. While on the second floor, you can dine at Le Jules Verne – a Michelin-star restaurant run by chef Alain Ducasse, or you can grab delicacies at the Macaron Bar.
A. Enjoy panoramic views of the City of Lights from the famous observation deck on the second floor. Grab a dessert from the macaroon bar. Treat yourself to a lavish French meal at Le Jules Verne – a Michelin-star restaurant. You can also buy souvenirs from the several gift shops on the floor.
A. We recommend taking the stairs to the second floor because the queue to get on the elevator is usually 2-3 hours long. The stairs offer breathtaking views of the city besides giving you complete freedom and control over your ascend. You can take small breaks from climbing and enjoy the gorgeous views of Paris. However, you’ll have to climb 674 steps to reach the second floor. The tickets are cheaper than those for the elevator.