Paris: Eiffel Tower Reserved Access Tour & Summit Lift

Summary

Reserved access to Eiffel Tower lifts with stories and city views

You’ll step inside the Eiffel Tower with reserved access and a local guide who brings Paris’s skyline to life through stories and laughter. Take in city views from either the 2nd floor or go all the way up to the summit by lift (if you choose), pausing for photos or just silence. There’s something about seeing Paris from above that lingers long after you’re back on solid ground.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I thought I’d seen enough photos of the Eiffel Tower to know what to expect, but standing under all that iron with my ticket in hand felt different — kind of like being backstage at a show you’ve always watched from afar. Our guide, Camille, waved us over with this big grin and somehow made the security line feel less like a chore (she joked about Parisian pigeons being the real guards). The lift itself was quieter than I expected, just a low hum and the soft shuffle of people shifting for a window spot. My ears popped a little as we rose past the first floor — not sure why that surprised me.

On the 2nd floor, Paris looked both huge and weirdly close. Camille pointed out Notre-Dame and the Louvre, tracing lines through the haze with her finger. She told us how Parisians used to hate the tower when it first went up — “a giant asparagus,” she called it, which still makes me laugh. The wind was sharp that day and I could smell roasted nuts from a vendor below (wish I’d grabbed some). If you’re doing this Eiffel Tower reserved access tour from central Paris, just know: even with all those famous landmarks right there, it’s these odd little details that stick.

If you book the summit option, there’s another lift — smaller, more rattly somehow. Up top it’s colder and everyone gets quiet for a second. You can see so far it almost feels fake. Someone next to me whispered “wow” in Spanish; I just leaned on the rail until my hands stung from the metal. On the way down Camille pointed out how the light changes on each level — she said locals come up here sometimes just to think. Maybe that’s what I’ll remember most.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Eiffel Tower and enjoy views

• Enter Eiffel Tower with direct access
• Take panoramic elevator to 2nd floor
• Listen to guide's facts about Iron Lady
• Admire panoramic views of Paris monuments
• Take photos from 2nd floor viewpoint
• Optionally ascend to Summit for views

Top questions

Is elevator access included in this Eiffel Tower tour?

Yes, dedicated reserved elevator access is included up to either the 2nd floor or summit depending on your booking.

Does this tour include live commentary by a guide?

Yes, your visit includes live commentary and stories shared by an expert local guide during your time on the tower.

Is this Eiffel Tower reserved access tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, wheelchairs and strollers are allowed up to the 2nd floor; however, summit access is not wheelchair accessible.

Are children allowed on this tour? Do they need tickets?

Children are welcome but must have their own ticket regardless of age; infants also require tickets for entry.

What Paris landmarks can I see from the 2nd floor?

You’ll spot Notre-Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, and many other iconic sites across Paris.

What’s included

Your day includes guided entry with dedicated reserved elevator access to both the 1st and 2nd floors (and summit if selected), live commentary throughout your visit by a local expert, plus time to explore each level at your own pace before heading back down into central Paris.