Paris Eiffel Tower Stairs Climb: Skip the Elevator Queue

674 Steps, Two Hours, Views Most Visitors Miss

You climb the Eiffel Tower's original staircase with a professional guide who explains the monument's history and engineering as you ascend. You reach the first floor at 57 meters, walk on the glass floor, then continue to the second floor at 115 meters, where your guide orients you to Paris's major landmarks. The whole experience takes about 2 hours and includes both observation decks and skip-the-line stairs access — which means you avoid the elevator queue entirely.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Meet guide near Eiffel Tower
• Learn Eiffel Tower history
• View Eiffel Tower from ground
• Climb stairs to first floor
• Explore first floor observation deck
• Climb stairs to second floor
• Enjoy second floor panoramic views

The Experience

The elevator line at the Eiffel Tower can swallow an hour of your morning. This guided stairs tour skips that entirely — you walk straight to the staircase entrance, meet your guide near the base, and start climbing while the crowds queue for the lift. Your guide begins with the story before you move: why Gustave Eiffel built this thing for the 1889 World's Fair, how 18,000 iron pieces fit together, why Parisians hated it at first. Then you're under the four pillars, looking up at the lattice structure from directly beneath it — a perspective the elevator never gives you.

The first 327 steps to the first floor (57 meters up) move at a steady pace, and your guide talks through the climb itself. You learn how the tower was assembled in just over two years, hear stories about maintenance crews, understand the engineering choices that made this possible. The first observation deck has a glass floor — that moment of looking straight down through your own feet catches most people off guard. From here you can see the Champ de Mars spreading out below, the geometric layout of Paris neighborhoods, the Seine winding through. You're not rushed; there's time to look, to photograph, to let it sink in.

Then comes the second push: another 347 steps to the second floor at 115 meters. This is where the view opens up completely. Your guide points out the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, Sacré-Cœur, Les Invalides, the Montparnasse Tower — the major landmarks that orient you to the whole city. The second floor is where most people say the view is best: high enough to see everything, close enough to recognize it. The whole tour runs about 2 hours from start to finish, and you've earned every meter of height by the time you get there.

You'll need a moderate level of fitness — 674 steps is real work, and there's no turning back halfway. The stairs are the original route, which means you're climbing the actual monument, not a modern addition. Bring water, wear shoes with grip, and don't rush the pace. If you're traveling with an infant, they can sit on your lap during the climb, and specialized infant seats are available. The tour includes entry to both floors and the guide's full commentary; public transport stops are nearby if you need to get back to your hotel afterward.

What’s included

• Stairs entrance ticket with access to the Eiffel Tower's first and second floors.
• professional local guide for the full 2-hour tour.
• historical and architectural commentary throughout the climb.
• panoramic observation deck experience on both floors.
• landmark identification session from the second floor observation deck.
• guided tour of the first and second floor areas.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Wandria

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Eiffel Tower's best views without losing an hour to the elevator queue, and if climbing 674 steps feels like a fair trade for the perspective and the story behind the climb itself.

Top questions

How many steps do you actually climb?

Approximately 674 steps from ground level to the second floor observation deck.

How long does the tour take?

Around 2 hours total, including the climb, time on each observation deck, and your guide's commentary.

What's included in the ticket?

Access to the first and second floor observation decks, a professional guide, historical and architectural commentary, and landmark identification from the second floor.

Can you see the same views from the elevator?

No. The stairs route gives you close-up views of the iron lattice structure and viewpoints unavailable to elevator visitors. The second floor is considered the best for panoramic views of Paris.

Is there a glass floor?

Yes, on the first floor observation deck. You can look straight down through it.

What landmarks can you identify from the second floor?

The Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sacré-Cœur, Les Invalides, Montparnasse Tower, the Seine River, and major Parisian neighborhoods.

Can you go higher than the second floor?

This tour includes the second floor. A summit option is available separately if you want to reach the third floor.

Do I need to be very fit?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The climb is steady but sustained, and there's no elevator option once you start.

Can I bring a baby?

Yes. Infants can sit on an adult's lap during the climb, and specialized infant seats are available.

What should I wear?

Comfortable shoes with good grip are essential. Bring water and dress for the weather — it's cooler at height, and you'll be moving steadily for 2 hours.