On a recent trip to Paris, I spent time enjoying some of the things the city has to offer; the architecture, the shops, and, of course, the food! But we (my mum and I) also spent a lot of our time there routinely hunting for the Eiffel Tower, trying to find the best spots to both admire and take a few good pictures of it.
Being the most visited paid-for monument in the world, it’s little wonder that the Eiffel Tower is one of the most sought after attractions for visitors when they go to the city of light. After all, when Paris is mentioned, what’s one of the first things that comes to mind?
The Eiffel Tower.
Here are the best spots we found:
The Eiffel Tower from Avenue de New York
1. Avenue de New York
Just off the Pont d’Iéna is Avenue de New York, a relatively average road with a lot of traffic. Most of the traffic spilled off the bridge, where every tourist in the area had gathered to take pictures (including from the middle of the road).
But one of the ways to get a clearer shot of the Eiffel Tower is on the Avenue de New York. When we were there in November, there were only a handful of people admiring the view along that road, allowing you to position yourself to get a good picture. Unfortunately, I only saw the Eiffel Tower from there during the day; I can only imagine how beautiful it would be in the night when the lights are on.
The Eiffel Tower from Pont de Bir-Hakeim
2. Pont de Bir-Hakeim
Unique in its architecture, the bridge stands apart for the sights it offers. A footpath and cycle lane runs beneath, while above the metro runs across, connecting the 15th and 16th arrondissements. Formerly Pont de Passy, the bridge was constructed between 1903 and 1905, with the design by Jean-Camille Formigé, and renamed in 1948 after the Battle of Bir-Hakeim.
This bridge is an iconic sight in its own right, and has featured in many films, including Christopher Nolan’s Inception. Due to its proximity to the Eiffel Tower, it offers the chance for a different style of picture, with the inclusion of the charming features of the bridge.
The Eiffel Tower from Pont Alexandre III
3. Pont Alexandre III
The architecture of this bridge alone is enough reason to visit. Sure enough, I couldn’t blame the photographers who were snapping away at the beautiful features of the bridge rather than the view of the Eiffel Tower, even when its light show had begun.
From the centre of the bridge, you don’t get the clearest view of the tower. For a more unobscured perspective, you’re better off standing at the end of the bridge. But when the Eiffel Tower’s sparkling, coupled with the golden sculptures on the bridge and other decorative features, I think it was definitely one of my favourite points of view of the Eiffel Tower this trip.
The Eiffel Tower from the Metro
4. Line 6 – Paris Metro
I think by now many people know of this iconic metro line. I wasn’t so sure about whether it’d be worth doing, wondering just how fleeting the sight of the Eiffel Tower would be. But we decided we wanted to leave Passy and head to Montmartre, and it just so happened that we needed the metro line 6 to reach another line that would bring us to the 18th arrondissement.
Once on the metro, I almost forgot that this was the metro line to see the Eiffel Tower. Thankfully, I was able to whip out my camera just in time to capture the sight of it. If, like us, you manage to catch a relatively quiet train, it’s well worth positioning yourself by one of the door windows to get the best view of the Eiffel Tower. I can only imagine what it’s like once night has fallen and the lights are switched on.
Trocadéro
5. Trocadéro
Located in the 16th arrondissement, this is probably one of the best places to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris. But, unless you get there at the crack of dawn, you’ll have a hard time enjoying the view without what feels like every other tourist in the city.
6. Parc du Champ-de-Mars
Last (but by no means least) get yourself to Parc du Champ-de-Mars to see the light show for yourself. On our final night in Paris, we decided to see the Eiffel Tower light up and sparkle from the base of the monument itself. Although we’d seen it twinkle before, we had never seen the display up so close.
Ignoring the rats running around the surrounding park is easier to do when your eyes are captured by the glittering sight of the tower doing its thing. I managed to snap a few pictures and take a video for most of its light show, but I couldn’t help but look around my camera and enjoy it with my own eyes – it truly is a sight to behold!
