All the Secrets to Visiting the Eiffel Tower with Kids

No visit to Paris is complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. It is the symbol of the city and one of the most famous landmarks in the world. But is it doable with kids? Absolutely! My own children absolutely adored the journey to discover the many levels of the tower, and loved the view from the top. Here’s everything you need to know about the visit. 

The Eiffel tower is located in the middle of a larger esplanade, called the Champ de Mars. At one end, there is a grassy space ideal of picnics, games, or just relaxing in the sun. At the other end is the Seine River, and the Trocadero Gardens. The area itself can provide a full day for families as there are a few nice playgrounds, food stands, a carousel, boat rides nearby, and Trocadero Gardens not only offers a nice plaza at the top of amazing pictures of the Eiffel Tower, but it also houses the Paris Aquarium. 

To go up the Eiffel Tower, you will have to first enter into the Eiffel Tower fenced area, surrounded by a glass wall on each side. The entrance to this area is FREE and provides a beautiful view from under the tower. Inside the glass walls, there are souvenir shops, bathrooms (long lines), and a snack bar. Tickets can be purchased here or online to go up the tower, either by climbing the stairs to the 1st or 2nd floors or to reach any of the levels by elevator. The climb is cheaper and can be an adventure but beware that the climb to the 2nd level is 674 steps! Note that children under four are FREE and child rates or a fraction of adult prices.

A ticket to the top requires two elevators. First, an initial elevator can be taken at one of those four pillars that make up the tower base. This takes passengers to the second floor, which the option of also stopping at the first. This level offers great views, bathrooms, a restaurant, and a gift shop. But this is where one of four elevators to the top can also be caught. This final elevator takes passengers to the tippy top, where a view of the entire city will take your breath away. While I was expecting the spectacular views, I did find a few surprises at the top, including a bathroom and a champagne bar! 

The visit was a huge success with my little ones and they were convinced that they needed to buy an Eiffel Tower figurine from one of the many vendors outside the tower walls, to remember this special visit. 

Other Useful Info:

The two playgrounds mentioned are at the two ends of the Champ de Mars area. You can find one in Trocadero, to the left of the esplanade when looking from the tower. The other is on the southwest side of Champ de Mars, near the Ethiopian Embassy (Ambassade d’Ethiopie).

Website: Visit the official Eiffel Tower website for more information and to buy tickets online. 

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