Eiffel Tower: 2nd Floor & Summit Access with Local Guide

Paris from 1,063 Feet: A Guided Climb That Skips the Queue

You meet your guide at the tower's base and skip the ground-floor queue to reach the second level in under an hour. From there, you see Paris's major landmarks—Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe—from above, with a local guide explaining the tower's history and what you're looking at. If you've booked summit access, you continue up to 1,063 feet and can visit the Champagne bar before descending. The whole thing keeps groups small and gets you inside without the typical wait.

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see Paris's major landmarks from the Eiffel Tower without spending your morning in the entry queue—the guide's knowledge and the skip-the-line access are what make the whole visit fit into an hour and still feel unhurried.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Eiffel Tower guided visit and summit

• Meet local guide by Eiffel Tower
• Bypass lines to second level
• Hear anecdotes and history
• View Paris landmarks from above
• Explore tower independently
• Ascend to summit by elevator
• Enjoy views and optional Champagne
• Stop at first level glass floor

The Experience

There's something about standing at the base of the Eiffel Tower that makes you want to know what it actually looks like from inside—not just the postcard view, but the real thing. That's where this tour starts: your guide meets you next to the tower itself and takes you straight past the ground-level crowds. No waiting in the lines that snake around the iron legs. You're heading up to the second level in about 60 minutes, and if you've booked the summit option, you'll keep going higher.

The second floor is where the guide really earns their place. They point out Notre Dame from above, the Louvre's roofline, the Arc de Triomphe sitting solid in the distance, Les Invalides—the landmarks that make Paris what it is, and you're seeing them all at once from 380 feet up. The guide shares the tower's actual history, not the rehearsed stuff, and answers the questions that come up naturally as you're looking out. After the guided part ends, you're free to explore on your own, which means you can linger, take photos without someone waiting, or just sit with the view for a minute.

If you've added the summit option, there's a second elevator that takes you the rest of the way up to 1,063 feet. The Champagne bar is there if you want it (you pay separately), and the glass floor on the first level on your way down—the one that sits about 200 feet above the ground—is the kind of thing that makes you understand why people come back to this tower. Groups stay under 25 people, so it doesn't feel like you're being herded through.

Top questions

Do I have to wait in line at the Eiffel Tower?

No. Your guide takes you straight to the second level, bypassing the ground-floor queues. Arrive 15 minutes early to the meeting point next to the tower.

What's included in the tour?

Access to the second floor, a 60-minute guided tour with a local guide, and small-group format (maximum 25 people). Summit access is optional and must be booked separately.

Can I go to the top of the Eiffel Tower?

Yes, if you book the summit option. After the guided portion ends at the second level, you can take a second elevator to the third floor (1,063 feet). The Champagne bar there is at your own expense.

How long does the tour take?

The guided portion is 60 minutes. After that, you're free to explore on your own, including the summit if you've booked it.

What if the summit is closed?

The top level may close due to bad weather, maintenance, or safety reasons. If this happens, your ticket covers access to the second floor only. Tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged.

Is there a glass floor?

Yes. The first level has a glass floor about 200 feet above the ground. You'll pass through it on your way down.

Can I modify or cancel my ticket?

No. Tickets cannot be modified, exchanged, or refunded once purchased.

Is this suitable for people with mobility concerns?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Elevators are used to reach the second and third floors.

What’s included

Your experience includes skip-the-line access to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, a 60-minute guided tour with a local guide, and small-group format with a maximum of 25 people. If you've booked the summit option, you also get access to the third floor (1,063 feet) via a second elevator. The Champagne bar at the summit is available at your own expense. You're free to explore on your own after the guided portion and can visit the glass floor on the first level during your descent.