Everything you need to know about seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night
A magical change occurs in the middle of the city as the sun sets over the Paris skyline. The magnificent and romantic Eiffel Tower comes to life with an eye-catching light show that charms every one who sees it. The beautiful structure is transformed into a fantastic show attracting everyone who sees it as thousands of sparkling lights come to life.
More than simply a work of engineering, the Tower changes daily tonight into a stunning show of lights that can be viewed from many locations across the city.
The technique dates back to 1925 when André Citroën used the structure as a massive poster for advertising, which introduced the idea that the Eiffel Tower could be used as a light painting.
What time does the Eiffel Tower Sparkle?
What Time Does the Eiffel Tower Light Up? The Eiffel Tower comes to life daily at nightfall and closes at 11.45 pm. A sensor that detects the arrival of darkness automatically turns on the lights.
The Eiffel Tower enjoys a magical transformation as the sun sets over Paris. Every night, five minutes on the hour, from sunset until one in the morning, the famous building shines Captivatingly. Visitors and locals are taken in by the stunning show created by the hundreds of lights covering the Tower.
A lot of people are wondering about the meaning behind this sparkling happening. Some people think it’s a memorial to the First World War forces who lost their lives, while others view it as a sign of strength and a sense of hope.
If you ever find yourself in Paris, be close to the Eiffel Tower during sunset to see this fantastic view.
The Iron Lady and Special Events
The Iron Lady, commonly known as the Eiffel Tower, is not just an image of Paris but also an attraction for unique events that draw tourists worldwide.
The famous location provides a fantastic setting for various events, such as fashion presentations, marriage proposals, and weddings. Imagine being married in front of the Tower’s luxurious halls, with sweeping views of the city below, or during an exclusive event.
The Eiffel Tower was lit in the dark in 2004 to celebrate the Chinese New Year. In 2006, blue lighting was introduced to celebrate the 20th Fête de l’Europe.
The Tower has a unique lighting design for the 2007 Rugby World Cup: goalpost lights were installed, and one side was lit in green to look like a rugby pitch. Moro info about the Eiffel Tower spark What time does the Eiffel Tower light up?
The 7 Best Eiffel Tower Views
The 7 best Eiffel Tower views are listed below.
1. Place Du Trocadero: The most well-known location for views of the Eiffel Tower is right across from it.
2. The Champ De Mars: It is located near the Tower, provides a variety of views, and is especially lovely in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
3. The Bir-Hakeim Bridge: A famous location for views, providing viewpoints from Ile Aux Cygnes or street level
4. Seine River Near Trocadero: It provides unrestricted views of the Tower along the Seine River, close to Trocadero.
5. Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck: It provides an expansive view of the Eiffel Tower and other historical sites from 56 stories above ground.
6. Rue Saint-Dominique: Walking down this 7th-division street offers surprising views of the Tower between bookshops and cafes.
7. Avenue De Camoens: The quiet, little dead-end street leads to a balcony that offers a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower and is particularly well-liked by photographers.
Map Of The Best Views Of The Eiffel Tower
Best Eiffel Tower Photo Spots
Here are a few lesser-known locations for taking pictures of the Eiffel Tower to add to your Instagram account.
- Rue St. Dominique: The small avenue is framed by elegant stores, cute cafés, and well-designed buildings.
- Pont de l’Alma: With its beautiful lights and amazing views of the Seine River, the Pont de l’Alma bridge in Paris has a rich history associated with drama and beauty. The bridge emits charm and beauty.
- Place de Mexico: Place de Mexico is a lovely area with an elegant, beautiful vibe. This beautiful plaza, bordered by thick trees and surrounded by stunning 19th-century structures, provides a peaceful haven from the city’s activity.
- Avenue de New York: This famous avenue, which bears the city’s name on the other side of the Atlantic, is elegant and sophisticated. Beautiful houses with dramatic stairs and complex walls line it.
- Carrousel de la Tour Eiffel: The famed Eiffel Tower in Paris is hidden at the Carrousel de la Tour Eiffel base. This charming traditional spinning invites guests to ride on beautifully built horses and luxury cars, providing a romantic escape from the busy city streets.
- Rue de Buenos Aires: As soon as you step into Rue de Buenos Aires, you are quickly absorbed in a colourful fabric of Argentine culture and charm. With every step, the charming cafés along the busy street captivate your taste buds with their excellent choices of creamy coffee and delicious pastries.
- Av. Rapp: Av. Rapp is more than simply a street in Paris—it’s a cultural and historical trip—every step on Av. Rapp seems like you’re traveling back in time, from the beautiful design of the Haussmann-style houses to the small cafes surrounding the street.
Best Eiffel Tower Tours at Night
What Time Does the Eiffel Tower Light Up? Take a guided trip to witness the beauty of the Eiffel Tower at night, which provides a fresh viewpoint on this famous structure. The Tower comes alive with color as the sun sets, producing a captivating show that should not be missed.
Skip The Line Eiffel Tower Tour and Summit Access
Nobody likes standing in line, so if you’re going to climb the Eiffel Tower, you should do it in style and have complete access to the peak.
A guide is included in your “Skip the Line Eiffel Tower Tour” who can help you cut forward of the queue and provide you with information about the Tower’s history and most famous moments.
This one sells out quickly, so get your tickets in advance to select your time.
Eiffel Tower’s Madame Brasserie Dinner
Dinner at the Eiffel Tower, which has broad views of Paris, is about as good as it gets.
Thierry Marx, a Michelin-starred chef, prepares Madame Brasserie’s food. Depending on the time of year, you can enjoy a three-course lunch while watching the sunset over the city of lights. You may even wait for it to start shining.
Tips for Visiting the Eiffel Tower + Things to Know Before You Go
Let’s discuss what it’s like to visit the Eiffel Tower, how to purchase Eiffel Tower tickets, what to know before you arrive, and what I especially suggest doing.
Different Ticket Types
To visit the Eiffel Tower, you can purchase one of four types of tickets:
Ticket with Second Floor Access Lift: With this ticket, you can ride an elevator exclusively to the second floor, where you can take in the sights from that level.
Ticket with Access Lift to the Top: With this ticket, you can ride the elevator to the second floor, where you can go outside and take in the scenery before waiting to board the elevator that will take you to the top.
Ticket with Access Stairs to Second Floor: This ticket gives you access to stairs flights on both the first and second floors. However, it does not grant access to the top.
Ticket with Access Stairs to Second Floor + Lift to the Top: This ticket allows you to climb the stairs to the first and second floors and then line up on the second floor to take the elevator to the top.
Of course, each ticket is slightly different, but adult costs range from €11 to €29, youth prices from €6 to €15, and kid prices from €3 to €7. Youngsters under four go in free.
When you get back to the second floor with a ticket (of any kind) to the top, you have two options: ride the elevator down to the ground floor or descend the steps.
Last but not least, you can reserve a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower. This option spares you the trouble of finding tickets or navigating the structure on your own. It provides you with an entertaining and knowledgeable local to teach you about the tower’s background and legends while you ride the elevator to the top.
How to Buy Tickets
You can buy tickets in three ways:
- Online ahead of time using a time-limited ticket purchased from the official website. If you can get a ticket and are certain of your plans, this is an excellent choice. Tickets for stairs open 14 days in advance, and tickets for elevators open 60 days in advance. But, as tickets tend to sell out quickly, your best bet is to get on at midnight Paris time in order to secure a ticket.
- On the day in person. If you need clarification on your plans in advance or if tickets sell out online before you can purchase them, this is a wonderful alternative.
- You can reserve tickets online ahead of time using a third-party website’s guide. This is an excellent choice if you would rather travel with a guide OR if you would like to reserve tickets in advance, but the official tickets are all sold out.
The Ticket Type I Always Recommend
I always advise purchasing the Eiffel Tower Ticket with Access Stairs, Second Story, + Lift the Top ticket option if you’re going alone (without a guide). This ticket choice entails climbing the stairs to the second story and taking the elevator to reach the top. This provides you with the most fascinating and thorough visit!
And, as you can see, the stairs are pretty decent. Yes, you have to climb 328 stairs to reach the first floor and another 347 steps to reach the second floor, a total of 57 meters (187 feet) of elevation.
However, the stairwell is spacious and features rather short steps. In between stairwell levels are handy landing platforms where you may stop and have a break if necessary. Most landings also feature small educational posters with interesting information about the tower.
A Quick History of the Eiffel Tower’s Light Show
For over 35 years, the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris has mesmerized tourists with its fantastic light displays. The monument’s lights were first planned in 1985 to commemorate its centenary, and ever since the nightly shows have grown to be a much-loved custom.
Millions of people each year see the stunning picture resulting from the Tower’s shining lights flowing down its iron building.
Many people might be aware that the original plan for the Eiffel Tower’s light show was for it to be a temporary display. But now, since the show is so well-liked and in high demand by the general public, it’s a permanent fixture. The Tower comes to life with over 20,000 bulbs glowing brightly against the Paris sky from dusk till early morning. This magnificent display represents the timeless charm and luxury of one of France’s most well-known sites.
The duration of this dazzling effect is just five minutes. To save energy, Paris leaders, headed by Mayor Anne Hidalgo, declared that as of September 23, What Time Does the Eiffel Tower Light Up? The Eiffel Tower’s lights will be switched off at 11:45 pm.
Compared to the previous plan, which called for 1 am, this was more than an hour early.
Strong flashlights were added to the Tower’s light in 1958. The Tower’s construction has 336 high-pressure sodium projectors that are part of the 1985-installed lighting system.
There have been updates to these projectors in 2007, 2011, and 2015.
However, the rippling effect for which it is so well-known is unrelated. It was first released on December 31, 1999, in honor of the new century.
It was meant to be temporary but gained sufficient support, so the ruling class decided to make it permanent.
The change complies with the Tower’s closure time and is part of a larger plan to cut the city’s energy use by around 10%, per the objectives announced by French President Emmanuel Macron.
FAQS About Seeing the Eiffel Tower at Night
What time does the Eiffel Tower sparkle?
Every night from sunset until 11:45 pm, the Eiffel Tower shines. At the beginning of every hour, a 5-minute dazzling session culminates in a fantastic performance at 11 pm.
Does the Eiffel Tower light up on New Year’s Eve?
Yes, the magnificent light displays of the Eiffel Tower in Paris are well-known, particularly during major events like New Year’s Eve.
Does the Eiffel Tower light up every hour at night?
Yes, the Eiffel Tower truly lights up at the stroke of midnight every hour. The five minutes of lighting are visible until 11 pm when the finale show of lights takes place.
Does the Eiffel Tower light up at 6 pm?
The Eiffel Tower is supposed to light up at sunset, but this might vary depending on the season, so it doesn’t always happen at six o’clock in the evening.
Final thoughts on when the Eiffel Tower Sparkles
Paris experiences a remarkable transition when the sun sets, and darkness comes upon the city. Standing tall and strong, the majestic Eiffel Tower suddenly comes to life with a captivating sparkle. Its structure is covered in hundreds of shimmering lights, creating a beautiful display that draws spectators from all directions.
Remember that the most fantastic show occurs around 11 pm since it is longer and involves sparkles and making a show.