The Eiffel Tower: A Parisian Dream That Lives On

Hey! This is my new categorical blog about famous places around the different cities of France. So, in today’s blog I will share my tour experience in the Eiffel Tower. The question you may have heard: Is  the Eiffel Tower a seven wonder of the world? Let’s explore this question with my personal thoughts.

As I got off the plane and allowed the cold Paris air to touch my skin, my heart raced with joy. I was finally in the land of Paris – a city filled with love, light and the Eiffel tower. 

Although I had stepped in France some years back, this time was going to be different. This time, it was not the mere tourist who wanted to see the world famous Tower, I actually felt as if I had more than dark eye shades. 

The need to view this elevated grandeur of a structure that was basically worn in photographs and movie frames was something I could hardly suppress. Would it be everything everybody made it out to be? Is the Eiffel Tower so remarkably gorgeous that it warrants adding it as one of the 7 wonders of the world?

First Glimpses of the Eiffel Tower

After getting comfortable in my cozy little Airbnb accommodation located close to the seventh arrondissement, I instinctively headed to the Champ de Mars because I was ready for the first sight of the Tower.

And right there, in the midst of sunsets and glittering waters, was the majestic tower that seemed to shine brighter than the rest, dominating the entire skyline of Paris. Instantly, I understood that this was not a mere structure, but in fact, a state, a sensation, and mind you, a piece of the architecture.

In fact, my heart missed a beat when I first saw the structure—not so much the structure itself, iron made lattice work, which shone in the late afternoon sun, but something more. Is  the Eiffel Tower a seven wonder of the world? Probably not in those words but standing underneath its weighty elegance still somehow invokes the sensation of being within a wonder.

A Tower Innocent of Date

The Eiffel Tower, or La Tour Eiffel, as it is tenderly labeled by the locals, was built up as a major attraction for the 1889 Exposition Universelle held in France to mark a century since the French Revolution. 

Built by the gentle and ingenious mind of Eiffel, the tower was opposed by the mass artists and intellectuals of Paris upon completion, who found it a bit overly industrial. 

It was called a ‘monstrosity’ as the builders had planned it as just a temporary structure, however and paradoxically, the quick installation turned into an endless citadel of the French capital.

Her story is entwined with the cultural identity of France. Nowadays, it’s impossible to picture the views from Paris without this construction. Printers may feel that the answer to the question; “How long was the Eiffel Tower supposed to stand?” may be quite surprising. Well, only for about 20 years! Thank god that’s just a figure of speech.

Taking It All In: The Experience of a Lifetime

The Eiffel Tower kept getting more breathtaking as I walked closer and closer to it. Standing right next to the Tower measuring 1,083 feet rather than standing at the bottom and just looking up made me feel dwarfed in stature. 

Have you ever been in that situation where a certain place, which you have come across practically a motion picture just takes your breath away in actual sense. That basically because an iron structure towering over me seemed like a dream.

The first thing that stood out was the ticket booth as I knew I had to take a trip to the second floor which has a view that is simply breathtaking. The elevation above sea level in Paris provides the Eiffel Tower with a view of the Seine River, the Champs de Mars as well as Montmartre further away. 

Being at the Eiffel Tower second floor height, the view from the city center depicts a cute picture postcard lying on the tabletop. No matter how many photographs you take, so much beauty is impossible to contain in any frame, you will remember this vantage point for the rest of your life.

For the more fun-hearted tourists, there are stairs, but since I am not that much in a fit condition, it took me forever to consider the elevator, because, let’s be honest – that stair ascend is quite a task!

Sunset at the Eiffel Tower: Pure Magic

Then the event reminded me that I was standing on the viewing deck of the Tower toward the evening , and the sun was setting. Indeed, let me emphasize this again, Sunset at the Eiffel Tower is pure magic’. 

The orange and pink colors illuminated the buildings and blended into the skyline, there was a shadow cast on all the roads and some buildings inside it. It was so stunning that I just had to go into it for a brief period of time.

Then almost once every few minutes, there was a question somewhere ‘Does the Eiffel Tower twinkle’ and if yes ‘When’. To answer your question, yes, it does on the hour after dusk every changing hour.

It is advised to look at the view of the city after sunset. The sparkling skyscrapers against a dark sky will leave you in awe.

Accommodation Alternatives Located in the Vicinity of the Eiffel Tower

When organizing a trip to Paris, it is advisable to book accommodation in close proximity to the Tower. Want to turn it into a more exclusive experience? Stay in the Shangri-La Hotel situated just a few minutes walk from the Eiffel Tower. 

Worth every cent more those who offer a live-view of the Eiffel Tower from their room which can be done courtesy of the amenities provided in the room. If that isn’t steep enough, the Hotel Eiffel Seine has got chic rooms right next to the river, good for people who want to avoid the expensive side of Paris.

Dining with a View

And when you are talking about comforts, it is mandatory to relish the most celebrated food of the city, which is Paris. Then there is that something special about having a meal with a splendid view of the Eiffel Tower.

As for me, it is headed to the rooftop French restaurant called Les Ombres, which not only serves dishes from French cuisine, but also offers jaw-dropping views of the Tower. 

Talking of the more leisurely intense environment, there’s Le Café de l’Homme in Trocadéro, which is also a delight. A small tip – do not miss on ordering their classic steak frites!

For those who want to remain a little more casual and save some euros for the other gourmet experiences in Paris, one can purchase fresh bread, cheese and wine from any market and have a healthy picnic in the park of Champ de Mars. Sitting on the grass, which has the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop, will make you feel like one of those actors in a French film.

Practical Travel Tips: Making the Most Out of Your Visit

Getting Around: The public transport in Paris is quite an effective and efficient means of transport while the Eiffel Tower is well connected by the metro. The Bir Hakeim festive metro station is line 6 i.e. the nearest of the metro stations to the Eiffel Tower but the trocadero is able to be walked befitting marvelous views of the tower in case you walk up from it.

If you’re likely to visit places like The Tower and other central sites such as the Louvre Museum, maybe it is wise to get the Paris Pass. You will not only spend less money, but it also gives you the opportunity to jump queues in some of the most visited places.

Now, when general sites are mentioned, I was shocked to discover how far is the Eiffel Tower  from the Louvre Museum  – it is just a 30 minutes walk by the banks of the Seine.

Cost and Money: Is it possible to save money in Paris? Well, it depends on how you are traveling. The base of the Eiffel Tower is a viewpoint without hurting your pocket, while lying around with a bag of goodies has never been an expensive affair. 

The prices for the tickets to the tower itself are quite affordable, with the second level opening priced from about €10 and about €25 for tickets that go all the way to the top. Regrettably, you must probably know already that it is advisable to book tickets beforehand to save some time in the long lines.

Best Time to Visit Eiffel Tower

Paris can be enjoyed at any time of the year, but if you are thinking of visiting the Eiffel Tower, the best time to visit Eiffel Tower would be spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October). 

It’s warm but not too hot, and the number of people is relatively less while the photo opportunities are plentiful with the flowers beginning to bloom or the foliage changing colors.

Try not to go to this attraction area during the height of summer if you can help it, since the crowds can be unwieldy and the temperatures rather uncomfortable.

Visiting quite late in September was one of the peaks of the trip and right on time for the European Heritage Days elevating the buzzing city to a whole new level of activity. Even though I am used to Cis-Atlantique bustling activities, I somehow was able to even see a few rarely accessible Paris sites.

Why You Should Visit the Eiffel Tower

After those weeks in Paris, I feel like I can say more than just ‘the Eiffel Tower is so beautiful’. There is something much deeper than what we actually see – an emotion – and this when indulged with the structure is exquisite. 

Grand peasant or small God, It is a place for admiration of human efforts and dreams. Impressive but one does not even need to visit the hill station. Even sitting at the base of the Eiffel Tower-bottom view is stupendous. 

It may not be one of the formally accepted wonders, still in my heart I believe that it is certainly eligible for such a title.

So, does the Eiffel Tower deserve to be considered among the Seven Wonders of the World? Perhaps by a little more coercion than the official process, by one sense of the word I believe it’s something that every person must embrace at least once.