How to Ride the Eiffel Tower Elevators to the Top?

Eiffel Tower Lifts

Almost since the very opening of the Eiffel Tower in 1889 at the Paris World Exhibition, guests could access the various floors of the monument via lifts. At the time, it was a technical triumph, since very few lifts had been built to go that high. 

Currently, there are 7 lifts at the Eiffel Tower, three of these lifts go from the ground floor to the second floor, and two lifts go from the second floor to the top floor. There is one lift dedicated to the customers of the Jules Verne restaurant, which is located on the first floor. The last lift is located on the South Pillar and is reserved for the staff at the Eiffel Tower.

History of the Eiffel Tower Lifts

The lifts came into existence very soon after the Eiffel Tower was opened in 1889. Originally, there were 5 lifts, one for each pillar of the tower, and another one that went to the summit from the second floor. A one-of-a-kind Edoux elevator was put into service between the second and third floors. It was dismounted in 1983.

The original hydraulic lifts were renovated for the 1900 World Exhibition. The lifts in the North and South pillars were replaced with Otis elevators, and in 1983 were replaced with double cabins. They were dismantled in 1910. In 1965, a new Schneider lift was installed on the North pillar, which is still running today.

In the East and West pillars, Roux-Combaluzier elevators were in service and were replaced in 1899 by Five-Lille hydraulic elevators, which are still in use today.

In 2008, the project of replacing the West pillar elevators and returning to the original machines imagined by Gustave Eiffel in collaboration with the Fives-Lille company was taken up.

Modernization of the original lifts

The project which began in October 2008 was only completed in 2014. The aim was to improve the performance of this historic machinery because of its unique prototype. For the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), the modernity of the tower needed to go hand-in-hand with respecting its heritage. Reducing the tower's carbon footprint and taking on sustainable developmental practices were also equally important to SETE. To this end, while renovating the original lift, an eco-friendly system was put in place by replacing the fluid, which would allow reducing the quantity of water used in the cooling process.

Eiffel Tower Elevator vs Stairs | Which to Choose

• The lifts are the most convenient way to reach the top of the Eiffel Tower.
• The ride in the elevators gives you access to some incredible views of the city, with numerous photo opportunities in the glass elevator. 
• However, the wait times for the lifts can be quite long, especially in the peak season.
• The stairs offer great views of the city as well and have nearly no waiting times.
• However, taking the stairs can be quite a challenge and guarantees to leave you sweating and panting as you reach the second floor.