If there are two things that Paris taught us; always practice the RFN law (right f’ing now) but watch out for your hunger, as that will over rule all!
As you might remember in one of our previous posts “Drinking undercover in front of the Eiffel Tower” we gave up the chance to go up to the top of the Eiffel Tower when there was a short line because we were hungry and wanted to eat dinner instead.
While enjoying our French picnic we thought it be a great time to head up to the top of the tower. We were already feeling on top of the world due to a nice little wine buzz and there was no hunger striking fear into our stomachs since we fueled it up with lots of great cheese and bread. Sounds like the perfect time! We arrive to the line and are shocked again to see it so short, as we just saw it a mere few hours earlier before our picnic and it was 10 times longer.
That is when we noticed on the electronic information board that the top of the tower was currently closed and you could only go to the first viewing platform. A little taken back we regrouped and discussed what to do. Do we take the sub par not even halfway up option or come back the next day? Our group came to the decision that we all wanted to go the top and decided to just be sure to give ourselves some time tomorrow. The only thing we had planned was a little bit of shopping around our hostel and going to the Louvre after 6 for the discounted rate. We could just go after all that.
Well, yet again our hunger took over our rational thoughts and we decided that going for dinner once we were done with the Louvre was more important then going straight to the Eifel Tower. Low and behold the dinner took longer then expected and we soon realized we only had 20 minutes to make it the tower before last entry was refused. Needless to say, we didn’t make it…
And this is what we regret about our Paris experience, never seeing the great city from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Guess we just have to go back one day!
We did not go up also as we had rented a cab by the hour and time ran out and also a long line up ,I guess we will do it next time also. Too bad.
We didn’t make it either, but that gives a good reason to visit this beautiful city again.
If it’s any consolation, that picture isn’t the top of the Eiffel Tower either. The top has a small enclosed room, a little staircase up from there to a big round balcony which has wire mesh from floor to ceiling (presumably do noone jumps!) It’s a great view. It’s also fab going up at nighttime – probably better – because you can see the Champs Elysees so clearly. If you time it right, you can also travel up and down the lift while the tower is flashing. So many reasons to go back!!
If you go back some other great high-up places to see Paris are from the Arc de Triomphe (you can see the Eiffel Tower) and from the top of Montmartre.
In my humble opinion the very best place is from the rooftop cafe of the Pompidou Centre. Aside from fulfilling your food and drink needs at the same time (a priority!) you can see both the Eiffel Tower and the Sacre Coeur from that vantage point. Spectacular.
Well its a great excuse to go back for sure!
It seems like quite a few people don’t make it up to the top of the tower! I’m glad we’re not the only ones. On the same night we decided the Arc de Triomphe would be closer and more likely go get up top to, but alas we made it too late there as well. We did get to see the base and go around, and it’s a pretty impressive structure.
Next time, forsure we’ll make it up to the top!