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 and I dreamt of going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower puts on a light show every night. There are many different views and places in Paris to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night. This post was inspired by reader questions recently.

I highly recommend taking time to watch this at least once on your visit. The Eiffel Tower sparkles at the beginning of each hour for five minutes on the hour from dusk until 1 am. The last show of the night 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.

After many trips to Paris, seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night never gets old. Here are the best spots in Paris to see the sparkle. If there is one I missed, feel free to drop 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 very 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 the city of Paris. There is champagne to purchase from the vendors if you want to celebrate special occasions like an anniversary or birthday.

I think this is fun to do once and 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 to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle. There is a metro line right at the Trocadero so you don’t have to walk far to get to this spot. Depending on the time of year, it can be very crowded this is a popular place to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle. I recommend getting here before sunset to get a great spot for the light show. Watch your belongings here as it is a hot spot for pickpockets. There is a crêpe stand just close to 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 timing of the sunset 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 just 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. There is 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 just take an hour 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, the upgrade of a view of the Eiffel Tower is one I would splurge on. There are budget hotels to 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.

Watch the Eiffel Tower Spark from the Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe closes at 10:30 pm so even on the longer days of summer, you should be able to catch the sparkle. It can get crowded here, so claim your spot before the hour turns so you can have a great glimpse of 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 still recommend a hike to the top for the view. Book tickets in advance or grab a city pass so you can 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 months, 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 a lot of people gather to hang out. *watch your belongings. This is one of the highest points to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Rue Saint Dominique

Located on the Left Bank of Paris, you will find Rue Saint Dominique which is filled with restaurants and shops. You can get a great view of the Eiffel Tower from here and if you time it just right, see her sparkle.

Printemps

This department store has 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 on a long walk through Paris to get to Palais Royal.

Pont des Arts

One of my favorite bridges in Paris. This was the love lock bridge that 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 viewing spot to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle.

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

This is a less known bridge in Paris but also gives great 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.

Montparnasse Tower

This is not always top of 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. There is a rooftop terrace where you can see beautiful Eiffel Tower views and the 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.