La Tour Eiffel
Sigh!! My first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel) in Pairs. We arrived in Paris yesterday and had an early night last night in anticipation of getting to the Eiffel Tower early this morning. It’s a bit of a Metro ride but we’ve made it. The boys are excited too. They’ve heard a lot about Paris. Last year, our wonderful au pair, Claire, taught them about Paris along with (un petit) of French. And now, here we are!
Originally built for the World Fair in 1889 as a temporary structure (there was a 20 year permit for it) it eventually became a symbol of Paris and, indeed, of France. So much so that it was never taken down. Today it is the most visited paid structure in the world with an average patronage of 25,000 people per day. No wonder the queues are notorious!
It’s still early and the boys wait more or less patiently, albeit excitedly. I have brought a few snacks (bribes) and dole them out carefully with not much hope of any real containment. Thankfully the line moves quickly and the wait is relatively short. We wait again, for the lift, and then all of a sudden we’re ascending, up, up, until we’re peering over the rooftops of Paris. The Seine, with Sacre Coeur in one direction and La Defense in another. I can make out the Arc de Triomphe in between. On the other side is Champs de Mars and Montmartre and further around still I can spot Notre Dame the roof of the Musee d’Orsay and of course, the Louvre.
The full circle takes a while as we stop for photos and I struggle to keep track of the boys, losing Harley in the crowds at one stage, my heart skips a beat as I realize he’s disappeared out of sight. It doesn’t take too long before I detect him again, his voice rising above the din of the crowd. After that we stick more closely together.
Paris has put on a perfectly sunny and blue skies day for us with just the right amount of fluffy white clouds dotting the horizon. I beam to myself, thinking of the last time I was here, wrapped in thick jumpers and coats and still unable to feel my toes. Paris in summer, I decide, is worth the crowds.
To gaze out at the green trees and happy smiles of the holiday makers, this is why Paris makes you fall in love. With the exception perhaps of those now stuck in the ever increasing entrance line that snakes its way around the ground far below us. Even the boys seem quite taken, at least at first, with the experience.
We descend the lifts to the first level where we find a restroom and something other than the telescopes for the boys to climb on. By now we have managed to spend a couple of hours gazing at the sights from this most famous of look outs and it’s time to move on for the rest of our fluffy cloud dotted day in Paris.
Back on the ground I gaze back as we move along the Seine and let out another sigh. Even a few hours atop its dizzying heights does little to calm the impact of this truly Parisienne experience.
After the romance has worn off….
Good To Know
Arrive early to avoid the crowds. Even if you have pre-purchased tickets, there will be a wait. Pack water and snacks if you’re travelling with children and allow plenty of time. Try to leave the pram at home if you can, the crowds, if not the tower, make this an unwelcome accessory.
Would I Return?
Yes. What’s not to love about La Tour Eiffel?
