Anyone been to Paris

Who can recommend city passes that include the Eiffel tower. Or whether its worth paying for express queuing for the Eiffel Tower. Sorry details are sketchy, asking for a friend and I've forgotten what she asked me.

Cheers in advance.

 

Archey, I've done the Eiffel Tower on two occasions. First time was in 2015, a complete bypass of the queues as I met my best man there, he is a tour guide so got big discount. Still queue for lifts to the viewing levels.

Did it last year after my cycle ride, queues weren't bad, 15-20 mins maximum and then to the lifts. Only my opinion, but I wouldn't pay for express access unless schedule for day is tight.

If they have time, tell them to get as much sightseeing in as possible, it's a beautiful city, lots to see and the bars/street cafes are lovely.

 

Cheers, she's just messaged me to say it's Bank Holiday weekend she's going. That probably makes Paris slightly busier (even if it is a UK bank holiday).

 

I've been a few times and never paid for express, it's all about timing it right. If you go very early in the morning for example there'll be a much shorter queue. I also always did the stairs to the first platform as there's nothing to them and the stairs queue is always a good hour shorter than the one for the elevator. You then have to get an elevator from there up to the second and then third (top) platform.

 

Forgot to reply above so you get the notification, sorry.

 

Go early and get it done quickly. Eiffel Tower is something you have to do but there are so many other more beautiful parts of Paris to explore. I’d personally recommend the new Picasso museum and the Rodin gardens.

 

I second going early and going to the stairs queue.

 

Avoid the Louvre unless you're desperate to join a lot of people queuing to see a very small picture in the shape of Da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Better to head across the river and head to the Musee d'Orsay. If you fancy doing a church head to Montmartre for the Sacre Ceour. Views from there are stunning and, unlike the Eiffel Tower, free but don't try and grab a coffee in the nearby Place de Tertre as that's very much rrrrrr much territory.

 

Thanks everyone. Much appreciated. I'll feedback your experiences

 

Did anyone use a particular site for tickets for the Eiffel Tower? Or just book them direct? TIA

 

My vote is for the Musee d'Orsay too. A stunning impressionist collection in a gallery fashioned from a former rail station. Go early though!

 

A word to the wise though - we found that they sometimes keep 'Paris Turf' below the counter at news stands. You may have to ask for it!

 

We just rocked up on the day.

 

One unpleasant aspect of around the tower is that there are hundreds of people selling dodgy tat, sometimes quite aggressively so (normally the jewellery and watch sellers). One guy punched me on the arm when I, politely might I add, refused to buy anything from him.

 

If someone pursues you, on a moped, do not tell your limo driver to "floor it" as you enter a tunnel, especially if you suspect he's been on the Stella all afternoon.

 

The view over Paris from the steps of the Sacré-Cœur knocks that from the Eiffel Tower into a cocked hat. Aim to go before sunset and watch as the monuments around Paris are illuminated. You're outside, you can sit down, you don't have to queue, it's free, you can enjoy a beer, there'll be some busker playing a romantic tune. It's genuinely awe inspiring.

Eiffel Tower is too high. The view from the top flattens the city and takes away its beauty.

 

Also recommended: the Champs Elysee, Saint Michel and old Beaujolais wine. ☺

 

Went in December 2016. Didn't plan the Eiffel Tower a whole lot so pretty much just turned up and queued from around 5 in the evening if I can remember. Queue was quite big but went fairly quickly, or I'd been at Disneyland the day before so it seemed to go quickly in comparison, who knows?

I'd quite like to see the view from it in daylight but it looked good at night and it was all lit up which was quite cool.

Agree with people surrounding it too, trying to sell so much rubbish. Just walk by and don't make eye contact was my rule haha

 

Some cracking bogs part way up the Champs-Elysees (PointWC 26, avenue des Champs-Elysees) - someone escorts you to your cubicle and wipes down the seat before you go in. You can even buy some souvenir bog roll on your way out.

http://www.pointwc.com/en/

 

How much for them to wipe your arse?