Eiffel Tower on the Cheap

Today’s guest post at Europe String come from Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel Editor and Writer at PlanetEye.  When she’s not busy traveling, for business or pleasure, you will find Mary Jo writing at The Seattle Traveler or planning her next great adventure.

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Earlier this year, the Eiffel Tower (map) celebrated its 120th anniversary.  And what a 120 years it’s been!

Located beside the River Seine (map) in Paris, France, the Eiffel Tower is the tallest building in the city. Following its completion in 1889, it was the tallest structure in the world, and remained so until the Chrysler Building (map) in New York City displaced it from that top spot.

Originally built as the entrance arch for the Paris World’s Fair, also commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognized buildings in the world.  It is the most visited one.

It is now considered a piece of structural art, but at the time is was built many people believed it would be an eye sore!  It was also originally planned to have the tower torn down 20 years after it was built.  Fortunately, some practical uses came of the tower (including the role it played in helping to catch the infamous spy, Mata Hari), and it remains standing proudly.

On the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, during the winter, is a skating rink. You can skate for FREE, and catch a great view at the same time. To go up the tower, you can walk up 360 steps to the first level, and another 359 steps to the second level. But you will need an elevator to go beyond the second platform — once you move past the second platform, the tower is an open frame, with no other platforms.

Entrance fees are as follows:

• Elevator entrance (to 2nd floor) – 8 Euros for adults, 6,40 for youth 12-24, and 4 for children 4-11
• Elevator entrance (to top floor) – 13 Euros for adults, 9,90 for youth, and 7,50 for children
• Stairs entrance (to second floor) – 4,50 Euros for adults, 3,50 for youth, and 3 for children

Although the entrance fees can add up, if you must go up, you can look for discounts that can save you a couple of Euros off the price.  Plan to make a day of it as the lines can be long.  Plus, after spending the money, you’ll want to maximize the experience.  Bring along some water as purchasing food and beverages there can quickly get pricey.

Or, you can opt not to go up in the tower at all!  Pack up a picnic lunch and find a spot of grass below the tower.  The area is full of tourists and locals, and it seems to be a inviting and fun gathering place.  Find your spot of grass, lay there, and look up at the eyesore that became the symbol of the city.