Everything you need to know about the Eiffel Tower at night
When the sun sets over Paris, the capital begins to shine. The historic monuments and dynamic streets light up, to the delight of Parisians and tourists. But, when the evening comes, it is above all the Eiffel Tower which attracts all the attention and puts stars in the eyes. Let’s discover all the secrets of the Eiffel Tower at night .
The sparkle and lighting of the Iron Lady
Since its construction by Gustave Eiffel, on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition of 1889, the Eiffel Tower has benefited from beautiful lighting. Even today, the monument at night is exceptionally beautiful.
Light on the Eiffel Tower: from gas to electricity
When it was built, the Eiffel Tower was lit by external gas-powered projectors. On the evening of the inauguration of the famous monument, more than 10,000 gas burners are lit and highlight the Iron Lady.
Ten years later, electricity replaces gas, and more than 5,000 light bulbs are integrated into the metal structure, and no longer outside. The objective is then to facilitate access to the Eiffel Tower at night, but also to highlight the elegant structure of the monument. From this date, several types of lighting are temporarily set up for various events.
On December 31, 1985, the Iron Lady put on her golden dress , on the occasion of a major restoration of the monument and its lighting. And in 2000, for the change of the millennium, the new lighthouse and the sparkles were unveiled to the public. The program was intended to be temporary, but it will become an important daily event in Paris.
Flickering and lighting: times
Nothing is more magical in Paris than admiring the Eiffel Tower lit and sparkling every evening. To be able to take advantage of it, it is better to be informed of the lighting times.
Every evening, the golden lighting turns on as soon as night falls , thanks to light sensors. The Eiffel Tower then sparkles for 5 minutes at the start of each hour . So, if the sun sets at 8:20 p.m., the Iron Lady will light up a pretty yellow color in the 10 minutes that follow, and the first flicker will take place at 9 p.m.
As for the Eiffel Tower lighthouse, it lights up and starts rotating at the same time as the lighting, at nightfall.
As part of the City of Paris’ plan for energy sobriety, all the lights in the Eiffel Tower turn off at 11:45 p.m. The last flicker therefore takes place at 11 p.m.
Good to know: in summer, the Eiffel Tower is open until 12:45 a.m. The lighting and the lighthouse therefore turn off at 1 a.m., and the last sparkle continues to shine, alone, for 5 minutes.
What is the electricity consumption of the Eiffel Tower lighting?
The energy expenditure of the Eiffel Tower has been a major concern for several years now. Thus, in 2004, the electrical power of the 336 projectors was reduced by 40%, representing 4% of the total energy consumption of the monument.
As for flickering, already in 2008, the duration of illumination was reduced from 10 to 5 minutes, to reduce its ecological footprint. The energy consumption of the 20,000 xenon bulbs remains very low, representing only 0.4% of the tower’s energy costs . These figures have also fallen further with the energy sobriety plan, since nighttime flickering now stops at 11 p.m.
Since 2016, the energy performance of the Eiffel Tower’s lighting has only improved, with a reduction in energy consumption of 9% per year on average.
The Iron Lady Lighthouse
From the inauguration in 1889, a lighthouse was installed at the top of the Eiffel Tower, with the aim of illuminating the main monuments of Paris , such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Opéra Garnier, or the Louvre Museum. Later, in 1947, light beams were used for aerial navigation. Today, the lighthouse remains a universal and symbolic landmark.
The current lighthouse of the monument was inaugurated on the occasion of the “Top of the year 2000”. It is made up of 2 electrical harnesses with a range of 80 km .
Discover the Eiffel Tower at night
Depending on the time of year, the Iron Lady is open in the evening, and allows you to enjoy a unique experience of Paris by night.
What to do during a night visit?
At the end of the day and in the evening, the Eiffel Tower takes on another look, thanks to the pretty golden color of its lighting. You can then visit the monument as during a daytime visit, but we advise you to take the stairs . The illuminated structure then offers you a unique experience, in an almost intimate atmosphere.
If you are lucky enough to come at the end of the day, go up to the top floor, to the champagne bar, to enjoy a small glass of champagne while admiring the sunset. And for a romantic dinner with a view of Paris by night, you can reserve a table at Madame Brasserie, on the 1st floor, or at the starred restaurant Jules Verne, on the 2nd floor.
Experience the sparkle intensely
To fully enjoy the beauty of the tower’s sparkle during a nighttime visit, you will need to watch your watch, to be there early , after dark. Then, to be in the heart of the sparkles, we advise you to go to the 2nd floor . Golden lights will shine all around you, and you only need to look up to admire the monument’s glittering spire.
If you want to enjoy a beautiful view of Paris at night, or if you are curious to discover the lighthouse in operation, then we suggest going to the top of the tower.
Photograph the Eiffel Tower at night
Would you like to forever engrave the memory of this magical evening near the golden light of the Eiffel Tower? Please note that it is not at all forbidden to photograph or film the nighttime lighting of the Iron Lady . You can even share your memories on social networks.
On the other hand, for professionals, the law is different. Indeed, the golden lighting and the sparkles are protected by copyright , and to use the image of the tower, you will need authorization. To do this, you will need to contact the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower during the day or at night are two completely different experiences. At nightfall, the golden lighting of the monument makes the visit magical and unforgettable.
