Visiting the Eiffel Tower at Night is an entirely different experience from visiting in the daytime.
At night, the view of the tower displays a perfect movie-like picture, which is worth seeing!
Paris, also known as the City of Lights, is made ten times more beautiful with the sparkling Eiffel Tower at night.
The famous Eiffel Tower light show is the main highlight which makes visiting the Tower at night most popular among tourists. You cannot see this show in the daytime.
Visitors who want to explore the Eiffel Tower at night must know everything about the highlights of the Tower at night, the timings of the Tower, and more.
Read further to know more about everything you can see and do at the Eiffel Tower at night and other important details to ensure an exciting trip.
Why visit the Eiffel Tower at Night?
The Eiffel Tower is visited by over 7 million people annually and is the most visited attraction in Europe.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower at night is a magical experience you will never forget. Here are some reasons why you should visit the Tower at night.
- The Tower is completely illuminated after sunset, with many light shows at the beginning of every hour. This view of the skyline of Paris is a must-see.
- Paris, the city of love, is famous for its romantic atmosphere. The Eiffel Tower adds to this and is worth visiting with loved ones for a memorable experience.
- You can visit the Tower and other attractions comfortably and at your own pace since the streets of Paris are less crowded at night.
- Capturing the Tower at night is an excellent opportunity for photographers as they are left with stunning and memorable pictures. However, one must note that clicking pictures of the Eiffel Tower at Night is illegal if the pictures are for professional use.
- You can learn more about the culture and architecture of Paris through the Eiffel Tower tours and by conversing with other tourists and locals visiting at night.
- View the Eiffel Tower in a different perspective. Tourists visiting during the day will miss out on the main specialty of the Tower, which is the light shows.
- The light show is a must-see spectacle on festivals and important days as these are unique and can be seen only on a single day.
- On special days, the Tower organizes live performances and other crowd-engaging activities that can only be seen at night.
- You can also enjoy a meal while looking down at the sparkling city of Paris. The sight cannot be seen during the day.
Things to do at the Eiffel Tower at Night
The Eiffel Tower comes to life as soon as the sun sets, with thousands of sparkling lights providing visitors and locals with a breathtaking sight at night.
To make your experience at the Paris Eiffel Tower the most memorable, here are a few things you can add to your bucket list when visiting at night.
- Explore the Magnificent Tower
The Eiffel Tower at night is a sight worth seeing. Apart from the Light Show being a primary highlight of the Tower, you can have an amazing panoramic view of the sparkling city of Paris that you can see from the different levels inside the Tower.
You can take the elevator to the summit of the tower or the other levels to watch the scenery of Paris in the dark.
You can also choose to get to the second floor of the Tower using the staircase, enjoying the panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower with every step.
You will reach the Summit by taking the elevator from the second floor.
This view offers a completely different perspective of Paris, which you cannot see during the day.
Since the crowds are less, you can stop at different points on the staircase while climbing up or descending and click beautiful photos from the tower, with the entire city of Paris sparkling in the night as your background.
We highly recommend this activity for first-time visitors who want to have a complete experience of the Eiffel Tower.
- Dine with a View
The Eiffel Tower offers the best view of the skyline of Paris, backgrounded by the night sky. Dining on the finest delicacies from French cuisine at Madame Brasserie while watching this view of Paris is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You can arrive before the sun sets and watch as the sky transitions from a beautiful sunset to a dark sky full of stars. From above, you can also watch the city get illuminated slowly when everyone’s lights turn on as the sun sets.
After a warm and filling dinner, you can explore the streets of Paris at your own pace as there are fewer crowds at night.
We highly recommend foodies and those who want to learn more about the culture of Paris include dining here in their schedule!
- Stroll through the gardens
There are several gardens located around the Tower that are a perfect place to visit after having a great dinner. You can admire the well-maintained trees and flowers, fountains, and more.
Some of the gardens close to the Paris Eiffel Tower are:
- Champ De Mars
- Trocadero Gardens
- Jardine Du Trocadéro
- Square Boucicaut
These gardens also offer a clear view of the Eiffel Tower at night, allowing visitors to view the world-famous light shows directly from their relaxing spot on a garden bench.
We recommend nature lovers have a look at the gardens. Their design and layout are worth seeing!
- Watch the Light Show
The light shows conducted every night at the Eiffel Tower are a major tourist attraction that people come to see from all over the world. These shows begin as soon as the sun sets.
The tower is covered with thousands of sparkling lights that shine for five minutes at the beginning of every hour after sunset. These lights enhance the beauty of the Tower and the skyline of Paris.
You can see these lights from various spots that offer a clear view of the Tower. All tourists traveling to Paris must view the Eiffel Tower light shows!
Best Spots to View the Eiffel Tower at Night
Your entire experience of visiting the Eiffel Tower at night is based on the location you choose to view the Tower from.
The sparkling light and architecture of the Tower appear differently from different spots around the city.
Here is a list of some of the best Eiffel Tower viewing spots that provide a clear view of the Tower and the light shows.
- The Seine River
The Seine River is located beside the Eiffel Tower hence, it offers the most splendid and unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower.
You will also pass through other major attractions of Paris when taking the Seine River Cruise. These include The Statue of Liberty, Conciergerie, and more.
You can see the Tower, and the flashing lights of the light show reflected on the waters of the Seine River. This makes for the most picturesque and calming view under the night sky.
You can also have a romantic dinner on the Seine River Cruise and watch the skyline with the glimmering Eiffel Tower light show in the distance.
It is also a great spot for photography with the river and shining Tower behind you, and it would make an excellent souvenir for your trip to Paris.
- Champ De Mars Garden
The Champ De Mars garden is located directly at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Tourists who visit this garden can get an up-close look at the Tower and the light shows at night. They can examine the architectural structure and minute details of the Tower.
They can also enjoy a peaceful nature walk surrounded by plants of all kinds and relax in well-maintained green spaces in the quiet of the night.
You can also have a small picnic or relax in the garden, made bright by the lights from the light show.
It is not very crowded at night, but the garden is a secure spot to explore at night as it is close to the tower and is never completely deserted.
- From an Open Bus Tour
For visitors who want to enjoy a close-up look at all the monuments in the city of Paris, the open bus tour is the best option. You can also view the Paris Eiffel Tower from different angles and perspectives under the night sky as the bus will move to many different places.
Some of these bus tours also have knowledgeable tour guides accompanying you who conduct tours in many languages. This will help you learn more about the city of Paris and the history of the Eiffel Tower and the light shows.
We highly recommend this tour for history buffs, young children, and tourists looking to make new friends in the city!
- Arc De Triomphe
The Arc De Triomphe is another attraction that offers the best view of Paris in the dark. The rooftop of this monument offers the clearest far-away view of the Eiffel Tower at night.
You can also explore the Roman arch style of architecture used when building the Arc De Triomphe while viewing the dazzling spectacle of the light shows at the Eiffel Tower.
As this monument closes at 10.30 pm, you have enough time to explore the museum and exhibition, explaining its symbolic importance, at your own pace and head to the rooftop for the most spectacular view of the city.
You also receive a 100% discount on entry if you are 18 years and below or an EU citizen below 26 years! Identification proof would be required at the monument to avail of such discounts.
- Montparnasse Tower
You can capture gorgeous pictures of the Eiffel Tower from the Montparnasse Tower, which offers the most incredible view of the entire tower from a distance. This allows you to watch the complete tower, along with the sparkling lights of the light show.
The Tower is well known for its viewing deck that allows visitors to have a 360° view of Paris under the night sky.
Since it is such a tall structure, visitors can have the clearest view of the Eiffel Tower from here.
Avoiding the crowd of the Eiffel Tower, The Montparnasse Tower is one the best places to have the clearest view of the Iron Lady.
Best day to visit the Eiffel Tower at Night
The Eiffel Tower receives the least crowd on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. These are the best days to pay a visit to the Eiffel Tower in the night as well.
If you cannot make it to the Tower on one of these days, we recommend you visit on weekdays instead of weekends.
During the festive or peak travel season, the Eiffel Tower welcomes a huge crowd of visitors. To avoid these crowds, plan your visit early in the morning, between 9 am and 11 am, or after 7 pm, on weekdays.
Eiffel Tower and the Light Show Timings
The Eiffel Tower opens at 9.15 am daily, and the usual admission time for the closing is 10.45 pm.
The elevator to the top of the Tower begins at 9.30 am and closes at 11 pm.
The staircase, which leads only to the first two levels of the Tower, opens at 9.30 am and closes at 5.30 pm usually.
You can expect the timings to change during festivals like Christmas and New Year. For example, during Christmas week, the Eiffel Tower will open at 9.15 am and close at 11.45 am.
It is advisable to check the timings of the Eiffel Tower before visiting to avoid missing your chance of getting in.
The light show and all the lights and beacons in the Tower turn on as soon as the sun sets.
The last light show with the golden lighting is conducted at 11 pm. The last show is slightly different, with many moving flashing lights and is worth seeing!
All the lighting and beacons in the Tower are shut off at 11.45 pm to conserve electricity.
Photography of the Eiffel Tower at Night
Tourists love clicking pictures of the Eiffel Tower and sharing them on social media and with all their friends and family. It also makes for an excellent souvenir for your Paris trip.
Visitors can capture the beautiful light shows and the sparkling tower at night with their mobile phones or cameras.
Did you know taking pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night can be illegal? If not, let us help you understand this.
Professional photographers are not allowed to share their photographs of the Eiffel Tower light shows or make any commercial use of them as the Tower’s lighting and sparkling light are protected by copyright laws.
Those who want to take professional photos need permission from the authorities and may even need to pay an extra fee for the image captured.
Those who intend to use these images for anything besides sharing as social media posts should contact the authorities in advance.
Tips for Visiting the Eiffel Tower at Night
Visiting the Eiffel Tower at night is a sparkling and memorable experience highly recommended to all tourists journeying to Paris. Here are some tips to ensure you have a great time at the Eiffel Tower:
- Book your tickets online before reaching the Tower to avoid the crowd, especially on festive days or during the peak travel season.
- Arrive before 11 pm if you are booking your Eiffel Tower tickets from the counter.
- Wear warm clothes or carry a jacket since it is usually colder at night in Paris.
- Eiffel Tower restaurants promote wearing formal, semi-formal or casual clothing. Hence, avoid wearing sportswear or short pants to the Tower.
- Ensure to check the sunset time and arrive a bit earlier to watch the sky transition from daylight to dusk and, finally, the night sky.
- To make your experience special, enjoy a warm meal around the Eiffel Tower with a view of the sparkling structure in the distance.
- Keep an eye on your belongings so you do not lose them in the crowd at the Eiffel Tower and on the Paris streets.
- Plan your transportation so you can return safely to your home or hotel room.
- Do not carry big bags or heavy luggage. Such luggage is not allowed inside the Tower, and no lockers are available to leave them behind either.
- Toilets and baby care areas are available on the first and second levels of the Tower only.
- Don’t forget to carry your phone or camera to capture this beautiful scene.
Contents
FAQs for Eiffel Tower at Night
What happens at the Eiffel Tower at night?
The Eiffel Tower conducts a light show for the first five minutes every hour after sunset. This light show goes on till 11 pm daily. The Tower lights and beacon also turn on till 11.45 pm.
Can we visit the Eiffel Tower at night?
Yes, you can visit the Eiffel Tower at night on any day of the year. The Eiffel Tower’s usual timings are from 9.30 am to 11.45 pm. These timings may change during the festive season.
Does the Eiffel Tower turn off at night?
Yes, the Eiffel Tower turns off all its lights and beacon at 11.45 every night. The last light show is conducted at 11 pm. The Tower changes its timings during the festive season; hence, check their website in advance.
Is the Eiffel Tower lit up at night 2023?
Yes, the Eiffel Tower lights up every night of 2023 till 11.45 pm. Previously, the Tower lights would turn off at 1 pm, but since September 2022, the timings have been reduced to conserve electricity.
Is it better to go up the Eiffel Tower at night or during the day?
The best time to visit the tower is early morning before 10.30 am or late evening after 5 pm. The crowds are less at night as compared to the day.
What is the best way to see the Eiffel Tower at night?
Some of the best spots to view the Eiffel Tower at night are from the Seine River, Champ De Mars Gardens, Arc De Triomphe, Montparnasse Tower, or from an open-bus tour.
Does the Eiffel Tower sparkle at 11 pm?
Yes, the Eiffel Tower conducts its last light show at 11 pm. This show is slightly different from the other ones, with flashing moving lights, and is a must-see.
How often does the Eiffel Tower light up at night?
The Eiffel Tower lights and beacons are switched on when the sun sets and turn off at 11.45 pm. The last Eiffel Tower light show is conducted at 11 pm.
