There are few places more iconic than the Eiffel Tower, and no trip to Paris is complete without a visit. Finished in 1889 for the World’s Fair, the tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel to showcase the advancements in iron and steel taking place in France as the country ventured into the industrial revolution. At the time, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world, and though its design was controversial at the time, the “Iron Lady” quickly became one of Paris’s most cherished landmarks. Today, there are hundreds of tours you can book to see La Tour Eiffel, but the best Eiffel Tower tour is one almost no one knows about.
There is one Eiffel Tower tour that stands out above the rest — one that includes a guided tour, a glass of champagne, and even a piece of the Eiffel Tower itself to take home with you. Read on for everything you need to know about the best Eiffel Tower tour, as well as some more affordable alternatives for when a VIP tour isn’t in the cards.
The Official VIP Tour of the Eiffel Tower
On an official VIP tour of the Eiffel Tower, your small group of up to 6 people will be led on a 2-hour private tour by an official Eiffel Tower guide. While I initially thought that “private tour” meant that you were able to access the Tower before or after hours, it is not truly private. You will have a local guide that is private to your group, but you will be visiting the tower during normal opening hours. Thankfully, your expert guide gets you front of the line access to the Eiffel Tower summit, so you avoid the long lines.
I was offered 4 options for our tour time slot – 10:15 am, 3 pm, 7 pm, or 8:30 pm. I recommend avoiding the 3 pm tour, as the Tower will be packed, especially in high season. You will have a smoother visit if you go at opening time (10:15 am) or in the evening hours.
“Le grand tour” as this official tour is called, includes access to areas normally closed to the public. Your tour guide will give you a presentation of the tower’s history before escorting you with priority access to the top of the tower. Your tour also includes exclusive visit to the historic elevator mechanisms (an area closed to the general public).
To make your tour more memorable Le Grand Tour guests receive a glass of champagne at the champagne bar at the top of the Eiffel Tower or on the terrace located on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. They offer a soft drink for children or those avoiding alcohol, so all can be included. If you choose to enjoy your refreshment at a table in Madame Brasserie, there is an additional charge.
Guests also receive a free gift after the tour, but they keep it secret. In addition to the gift, you also have the choice of adding on Pierre Hermé macarons (2 per person) and a sleeve of 8 macarons to take with you. At a cost of 50 euro per person, this didn’t feel worth it to me. However, the one I absolutely was not going to pass up is the chance to purchase an authentic, numbered rivet from the actual tower. At a cost of 525 euro, it is definitely not cheap, but it is one of those one of a kind souvenirs that you will never have another chance to get.
How Much Does Le Grand Tour Cost?
Whenever possible, book this tour directly through the official website. I initially contacted a local tour operator, who quoted me 3000 euro for my tour. I was able to book the exact same tour directly with the Eiffel Tower for 2160 euro. Split 6 ways, this tour costs 360 euro per person. Sometimes, tour operators are able to book up all the VIP slots at a site (Stonehenge and the Tower of London are usually like this) and you don’t really have a choice of booking directly at a lower price. I personally had no issues booking directly with the monument itself and recommend you do it that way.
With regular Eiffel Tower tickets costing just 36 Euro including summit access, this tour is 10 times more expensive than just going alone. So, could it possibly be worth the price? In the summer months, I would argue that it might be. You get skip the line tickets with no wait time, a private guide to explain the rich history behind the tower, and even get to take home a piece of history of the tower (if you do the grommet add-on). You see areas of the tower off-limits to other visitors and priority access to one of the hardest-to-get dining reservations in the city.
Dining Reservations at Le Jules Verne
In addition to the tour, the gifts, and the paid add-ons, participants in the grand tour can get easy access to reservations at any of the dining establishments in the tower. You have to pick one location to get a reservation, and the options are Madame Brasserie, the Lounge, or Le Jules Verne. Madame Brasserie is a semi-casual eatery open all day and headed by Chef Thierry Marx. It is located on the 1st floor of the tower. The Lounge is also located on the first floor, and while it is open all day for a quick snack or drink, the best way to experience it is after 6 pm, when the vibe turns lively. The Lounge is best for adults.
Finally, you have the crown jewel of the Eiffel Tower, Le Jules Verne. This 2 Michelin star restaurant offers fine dining on the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower. It is particularly difficult to get reservations here in peak season, so combining your VIP visit with a stop at the restaurant is a great way to skip the line and secure a reservation you might not otherwise be able to get. The tour organizers don’t guarantee reservation availability, but when I booked, they connected me directly with the reservation staff at Le Jules Verne and made it clear that I was a VIP guest, so they had no issue getting me in.
If you are doing this tour with kids, know that Le Jules Verne is a long dining experience and they do not offer a kids menu, nor do they allow screens in the dining room. This one really is better to enjoy just with adults unless you have exceptionally well-behaved, adventurous eaters. We planned to hire a babysitter for the time of our reservation rather than bring our kids or forego the opportunity.
Cancelation Policy
The cancelation policy on this tour is not super favorable, so be sure of your plans before you finalize your booking. The stated policy is that if you cancel 30 days or more prior to your tour, you will receive a 70% refund, and only 70% of the taxes will be refunded. Any add-ons will be fully refunded. If you cancel closer than 30 days, it’s non-refundable. In reality, I had to cancel our tour more than 30 days out and they gave me a full refund, which I very much appreciated!
Tour Logistics
You meet your knowledgeable guide at the tour start time near the security checks and you will quickly be escorted up through the Tower, stopping for explanations along the way before arriving at the summit of the Eiffel Tower. The tour does note that guests with mobility limitations cannot reach the summit due to safety concerns, so check with the ticketing office if your group requires mobility considerations.
When booking the tour, the team does ask your language of the tour, indicating that they can accommodate tours in multiple languages. They had no issue assigning me an English-speaking guide when I booked our tour.
There are rare instances, primarily of extreme weather, where it is not safe to ascend to the summit. The cancelation policy indicates that no refunds are given in such rare cases. They will also not extend your time nor offer refunds if you arrive late, so make sure to be on time and consider the huge crowds that often surround the tower. In other words, leave yourselves plenty of extra time!
Alternative Tours
If the pricey VIP tour isn’t in the cards for you, there are plenty of other tours of the Eiffel Tower that will also give you a great overview of how the tower fits into French history, show you the City of Light from one of its major landmarks, and help you save time. These are my favorite Eiffel Tower tours that mix a unique experience with affordable prices.
- Small group tour of the Eiffel Tower with an expert guide
- Private full-day tour of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower (exterior only)
- Small group tour of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower (exterior only)
The Best Eiffel Tower for You
The VIP Le Grand Tour at the Eiffel Tower is truly a one of a kind experience and one of the most exclusive tours in Paris. The included gift, complimentary drink, backstage access, and private guide make it the best way to see the Eiffel Tower. If the price tag doesn’t work for your visit, consider one of the many other options with high ratings, lower prices, and flexible cancelation policies. With these options, you’re sure to plan the perfect Eiffel Tower tour for your visit.
What Else to Do in Paris
Paris is chock full of tourist attractions, from Notre Dame to the Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre Museum. We’ve found the best private and VIP tours throughout the city to help you experience the city of Paris like never before. Check out these exclusive tours you don’t want to miss.
- Private full day tour of Paris – this tour takes you to all the major sites in Paris and also offers a small group version at a more affordable price
- Private VIP Louvre tour with skip the line access – see the Louvre with a private guide, skipping lines and covering all the highlights in this efficient tour
- Private guided tour of Paris in a vintage car – up the romance by navigating Paris in a picturesque vintage car, perfect for photos as well as getting around the city to maximize your day
- Private or small group day trip from Paris to Champagne, including 8 wine tastings and lunch – If you’ve seen all of Paris, head outside the city to Champagne, where your guide will take you to multiple champagne houses before transporting you back to central Paris
- Orangerie Museum skip the line tickets and guided tour – see the best of the Impressionists after strolling through the Tuileries Gardens
