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Eiffel Tower: My First Trip To The Top

// August 20th, 2009 // General

While I have visited Paris many times before, I just made my first trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower. After an hour or more wait in line, I finally got into the base of the Eiffel Tower. Another hour or more later, I finally got to the top. Needless to say, the wait was quite ridiculous and I certainly would not have done it had I not been with two other people who were so intent on making the climb.

While it was a magnificent view and something I recommend that everyone do at one point in their life, I would certainly have chosen the off-season (winter) to make this trek, had I been smarter about it.

Like I said, while getting to the top involved waiting in 3 ridiculously long lines, the climb to the top and the view from all sides was wonderful. I always enjoy getting a city-wide view from the highest point in any given city. For example, one of the all around best views in Prague comes from the Petrin Tower (basically a mini Eiffel Tower). And I recently enjoyed the view from the top of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland.

So, my advice for future Paris travelers and potential Eiffel Tower climbers…make the climb, but do it in the off-season if at all possible. If not, get there early, before most tourists want to wake up or do it late, when most of the families have gone to bed. Bonne chance!