Where to See the Eiffel Tower Sparkle

The Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris. I remember growing up, way before I had ever taken my first trip, I dreamt of going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower puts on a light show every night. Paris has many different views and places to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night. This post was inspired by recent reader questions.
I highly recommend watching this at least once during your visit. The Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes at the beginning of each hour from dusk until 1 a.m. The night’s last show is a bit different from all the others and goes faster with a little dance display of lights. It is worth seeing the final show if you are awake and have a good view of the Eiffel Tower.
Update: The Eiffel Tower now turns off before midnight to save energy; the last sparkle is at 11:45 and turns dark afterward. If you are visiting Paris for the first time, you won’t notice a difference, but those who are frequent visitors will see darkness in the city after it shuts off, which wasn’t there before.
After many trips to Paris, seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night never gets old. Here are the best spots to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle on your next trip. If there is one I missed, feel free to add your favorite spot below.
Where to See the Eiffel Tower Sparkle
Top of the Eiffel Tower
You can see the Eiffel Tower sparkle when you are at the top. I have done this once with my niece when she was very young. You can see the Eiffel Tower lights up close, which is a different perspective than seeing it from far away. There are two tops of the Eiffel Tower. You will want to secure a ticket to the observation deck, which is an extra cost but worth the view of Paris. There is champagne to purchase from the vendors to celebrate special occasions like an anniversary or birthday.
I think this is fun to do once, but then you realize that there are a lot of other different angles to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle that may be better than being on top of the tower. I am sure this is a big engagement spot in Paris, as it can also be a romantic moment.
Where to See the Eiffel Tower Sparkle: Place du Trocadero
The Trocadero is one of the most iconic spots where you can see the Eiffel Tower sparkle. A metro line takes you directly to Trocadero, so you don’t have to walk far to get to this spot. It can be very crowded depending on the time of year, but this is a popular place to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle. I recommend getting here before sunset to get an excellent spot for the light show. Watch your belongings here, as it is a hot spot for pickpockets. There is a crêpe stand near the Eiffel Tower where you can get dessert. If you are bringing kids along, I find this to be the best way to keep them occupied while you are waiting for the light show.
Watch the Eiffel Tower Sparkle from The Champ de Mars
Located close to the metro stop école militaire, you can find the Champ de Mars. During my last Paris trip in October, we had a beautiful picnic on the Champ de Mars. My friend Whitney loves this spot the most out of all of them. You can grab a blanket, picnic, a bottle of wine, or champagne and enjoy the people-watching. This is one of the best spots to enjoy the sparkle and spend some extra time taking in the views of the Eiffel Tower. It gets tricky with the sunset timing, so keep this in mind, as it may not sparkle right as dusk begins. Just sit back and relax and enjoy!
Pont Alexandre III
Pont Alexandre III is one of my all-time favorite bridges in Paris. I love the architecture of the bridge and the street lamps. This bridge stands out from the rest of them for me. I love how the lanterns glow when the sun begins to set. It looks like they are lit up, but it is just the light from the sun. In the warmer months, you will find people with picnics on the Seine just below the bridge. Plenty of room to line up with other tourists and locals on this bridge to watch the Eiffel Tower light show.
A boat cruise on the Seine
If you can time the boat ride just right, you can catch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at sunset or later in the evening. There are several options for boat cruises down the Seine River. I wouldn’t recommend eating on board. I would take an hour’s cruise or Batobus to catch the Eiffel Tower. There are so many great restaurants in Paris, and I don’t think the food would compare. For a unique experience, if you have the budget, you can hire a private boat for a tour. I have not taken a cruise via Green River cruises, but I have heard great things!
Watch The Eiffel Tower Sparkle From Your Hotel Room.
I made a list of hotels with Eiffel Tower views here. If you are visiting for the first time or celebrating something special, I would splurge on an upgrade to a view of the Eiffel Tower. There are budget hotels and 5-star luxury hotels that have amazing views. You can relax and enjoy the view from your room. This is one of the best possible experiences to see the Eiffel Tower.
Some of my favorite hotels include the Comtesse Hotel, which is more budget-friendly for an Eiffel Tower view. You can request a room that faces it or has a view of the side of the Eiffel Tower. These rooms are less expensive. I also love the Pavillon des Lettres view of the Eiffel Tower.
Hôtel Dame des Arts Rooftop Terrace
Don’t miss out on Hôtel Dame des Arts, located in the Latin Quarter. You can reserve a table here in advance for a maximum of two hours. Plan for sunset and the Eiffel Tower sparkle. The sun sets much earlier in the winter, but in the summer, it will be a later evening. This is a magical view of Paris and one of my favorites.
Watch the Eiffel Tower Spark from the Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe closes at 10:30 pm, so you should be able to catch the sparkle even on the longer summer days. It can get crowded here, so claim your spot before the hour turns to glimpse the sparkle. This is also one of my favorite places to see the Eiffel Tower in the city, and the Arc de Triomphe has some of the best views of Paris. If you can’t make it at night, I recommend a hike to the top for the view. Book tickets in advance or grab a city pass to skip the long lines. This also gives you access to museums around the city.
See the Eiffel Tower Sparkle from Montmartre
Depending on the time of year, there are two great places to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle. In the winter, the trees are bare, and you can see a good view from just to the right of Sacre Coeur. That is when the photo was taken below. If you are in the warmer months, try the steps of Sacre Couer. There is a good chance you won’t be the only people there. The steps of Sacre Couer are where many people gather to hang out. *watch your belongings. This is one of the highest points to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Left Bank Where to See the Eiffel Tower Sparkle: Rue Saint Dominique
Located on the Left Bank of Paris, Rue Saint Dominique is filled with restaurants and shops. From here, you can get a great view of the Eiffel Tower; if you time it just right, you can see her sparkle. Le Recrutement Café is the perfect spot for a glass of wine, and Madame Eiffel is in the background. Depending on the time of day, you may have to fight for a seat.
See the Eiffel Tower Sparkle from the Rooftop of Printemps Department Store
This department store is in a great location in the city for a view of the Eiffel Tower. The alternative is just down the street at Galleries Lafayette. At the top of Printemps, there is a restaurant called Perruche, which serves cocktails and food. I have watched beautiful sunsets from the rooftops here.
Place de la Concorde
I love this romantic spot close to Hôtel de Crillon in Paris. It’s just at the end of the Champs Elysée on the way to the Tuileries. I also walked through here on the way to get engaged. My fiancé took me a long walk through Paris to get to Palais Royal.
Pont des Arts
One of my favorite bridges in Paris is the Pont des Arts, which used to be covered in love locks and has now been replaced with plexiglass. I always find a way to walk across it when I am in Paris, from the left bank to the right bank. It’s a perfect spot to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle.
Le Tout Paris Eiffel Tower Views
Le Tout Paris at the top of Cheval Blanc is an excellent spot for cocktails with an Eiffel Tower view. Arrive early before sunset to take in the extraordinary views of Paris and Pont Neuf from the rooftop. My visit in April was too cold for exterior tables but in the warmer months, the terrace will be filled with them. Take in the Eiffel Tower sparkle with a glass of champagne or cocktail. The prices are similar to The Hemingway Bar at The Ritz but with better views, in my opinion.
Pont de Bir-Hakeim
This is a less-known bridge in Paris, but it also gives excellent views of the Eiffel Tower. You will have fewer people to fight and enjoy the light show. This is a great spot for pictures of the Eiffel Tower. The bridge is just a quick walk from the Champ de Mars.
Avenue Des Camoëns: Where to See the Eiffel Tower Sparkle in the 16th Arrondissement
Avenue des Camoëns is worth discovering if you are close to the Eiffel Tower. I had felt it was a hidden spot for so many years, but Instagram has brought attention to it. It is a picture-perfect spot with a great view of the Eiffel Tower.
Montparnasse Tower
This is not always at the top of the mind for first-time visitors to Paris, but it is one of the highest points in Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. You can buy tickets online to this 360-degree above Paris. A rooftop terrace has beautiful Eiffel Tower views and a light display.
I hope you enjoyed this post and that next time you are in Paris, you take the time to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle.
Do you know is the final sparkle time changed because of the Olympics? I’m going on September
Hi! I haven’t heard of this. I can report back after I am there in September.
Love this round-up. Is there a great rooftop bar for a dusk time cocktail with a view of the Eiffel Tower and its lights?
Thank you! Yes, Hotel Dame des Arts has a beautiful terrace with an Eiffel Tower view.