What is the one thing you have to do when you visit Paris? A visit to the Eiffel Tower of course! The only decision you have to make is to go to the top or not.
I tried to purchase tickets for the summit before I left home the week before. Mistake! I took a chance and waited and paid the price by needing to stand in line to purchase those tickets at the site. In the end it was okay. Yes, we waited in line about an hour to get our tickets, but once we got them the wait for the elevator to the second level and to the top was really not that bad at all.
We caught a glimpse of the iron lady two nights before when we were walking back to our apartment after walking the Champs Elysee. I don’t know what it is, but when I see her in person I can’t help but feel my breath catch. She stands majestic over all other buildings in Paris (well, except Tour Montparnasse). You can see her from all over the city like a beacon, but it is seeing her up close is where the magic begins.
Despite the fencing that has gone up since I was there 5 years ago and the security checkpoints, this symbol of the City of Light is my favorite wonder of the world. I have Eiffel Towers all over my house. I know it sounds tacky but last time I bought the lighted version at a shop and have it sitting on my bedside nightstand. When I get lonely for Paris I turn it on and the twinkling lights put a smile on my face as I think of my favorite city.
So after another security check and hoping on the first elevator we got our first views of Paris. We could not have timed it better because as planned we would be at the top at dark. Yes, the second level is perfect for the city views below. While checking out each side and picking out major sights around the city the hour hit and we could see the twinkling lights. The best part was all the clapping and cheering coming from the people on the ground. Its hard not to get a tear in your eye and you have to pinch yourself!
After getting pictures from every side it was time to get in line to take the elevator to the top. I was somewhat nervous since the last time I went up on this elevator my stomach had a hard time handling the trip to the top. This time-no problems. In fact, I was able to watch the city get smaller as the elevator zoomed to the top.
By the time we stepped off the elevator it was dark out and the beauty of the lights from the city below is indescribable. It was chilly out, but I felt warm enough. Again Renee and I walked around and picked out certain sights from this level. We got our picture taken from a kind fellow tourist and spent a few moments to take it all in. Satisfied, we started our descent to the bottom. Once all the way down another hour had pasted and the lights twinkled again. This time I recorded the show and put it on Facebook Live for my friends at home to share in seeing what I was taking in at that moment.
It was a full day and time to get on the RER and make our way back to our apartment. A lunch time wine tasting and the Eiffel Tower filled the agenda for this day. What a perfect day! More that half of my Paris trip was coming to a close. I went to bed that night with my mind filled with thoughts of getting money saved for my next trip to Paris!!
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