Eiffel Tower: Second Floor Versus Summit – Which to Choose?

So, you’re headed to Paris and want to visit the Eiffel Tower? A good call, is that Paris without seeing it just feels…incomplete. When you’re getting your tickets, you will discover you’ve actually got choices on just how high you want to go. Basically, you can grab a ticket to the second floor or go all the way up to the summit. But which one is actually the better experience? Basically, I’m going to break down the two options to assist you in picking what’s right for you.

The Second Floor: Taking it all in

A lot of people, anyway, find that the second floor gives you striking views. That is, you are high enough to see all of Paris spread out before you. That is all the key landmarks like the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Seine. Still, it is maybe low enough to feel connected to the city. You might be able to pick out neighborhoods and specific buildings; very different from being at the top.

The View: From this height, is that the city appears incredibly detailed. Instead of abstract blocks, buildings have details and streets seem alive. Looking down, is that you get a cool appreciation for the design of the Champ de Mars and Trocadéro gardens, as well.

The Experience: This is an expansive area for wandering around. Arguably, there are information panels giving details on the history and structure of the tower. It might be a very good spot to take your time, snap a ton of photos, and simply soak up the surroundings without fighting huge crowds.

Restaurants and Shops: It is worth a visit to the Le Jules Verne restaurant on the second floor, as it’s really very special, if you want a nice experience. Similarly, there are gift shops where you can actually purchase Eiffel Tower souvenirs, as you do.

Accessibility: Access to the second floor has elevator and stairs access which some, maybe, find more manageable. That means waiting times might be slightly shorter than for the summit.

Reaching the Summit: Head in the Clouds

For others, actually going all the way to the summit is really the ultimate experience. That is standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower, is that you have bragging rights. Plus, actually the views, are in a way, simply incredible.

The View: Up here, the landscape basically transforms. Very different buildings are small blocks and cars like ants, are those things. I guess you get a more abstract, panoramic feel for Paris, showing the grand scale of the city.

The Experience: At the summit, there’s Gustave Eiffel’s office. Anyway, it’s preserved with mannequins displaying Eiffel himself and his daughter Claire welcoming Thomas Edison. Maybe it offers a neat peek into history. There’s also a champagne bar; just get a glass of bubbly at the highest point in Paris!

Limited Space: Just because the summit is smaller, is that it gets more crowded. As you can expect, space is tighter. Still, if you can tough out the crowd it can be worth it.

Accessibility: You have to transfer elevators at the second floor, if you want to get to the summit, and this sometimes can lead to longer wait times. Getting up may be difficult for someone with mobility issues because it takes patience and time.

Views From the Top: A Side-By-Side Evaluation

Both floors offer something special. Right? That the second floor provides a detailed view of Paris, I think you should experience some of the city, that includes parks and places to visit again.

However, on the summit, there are spectacular panoramic shots available. However, if you enjoy city shots, or just an interest in architecture. anyway, it depends on whether the weather would change your experience. A lot of times on top the summit is windy. Maybe, on the other hand, the second story could have a beautiful sunshine filled moment.

Making the Call: What kind of Experience Do you Really Want?

To select your best tour on the tower, you may need to know a couple of things first. Anyway, on a tight schedule or maybe not able to spend a ton of time waiting in lines? Getting a ticket up to the second floor, more or less, may give a balance of outstanding views, manageable crowds, and great history. Are you going to Paris during a time that is crowded with travelers. Maybe that makes the second story a lot easier.

For those seeking a bucket list, it tends to be iconic. Is that visiting Eiffel’s Office? That is having Champagne at the top in Paris. Then the summit just can’t be beat, and it does stand as the more beautiful thing.

Anyway, is that price also plays into it, as summit tickets do, actually, cost more. If you’re wanting to save a little, the second floor is going to be the reasonable choice.

In some instances there can be very long lines during the day so that a timed pass will save you headaches as you go to the landmark.

Some key things to consider before getting there

You may want to purchase your tickets beforehand, I think that a timed ticket lets you visit, right? Crowds tend to get a little thick from morning until night, in many respects.

The high tower always has lines, even if you buy online tickets. Take a tour, so it will run fast in the time spent.

You want to get up there and shoot nice pics? The very best hours could actually be the earliest you can schedule. Similarly, going late and taking it all in for a nighttime spectacular works, too.

Just so you know, when the tower’s operating, the times differ with parts open as others might be temporarily closed.

Weather plays a part up there and rain may limit certain areas for opening, as well as a cold gale is expected up at the summit.