When does the Eiffel Tower sparkle and light show ?

No matter what the weather is like, if it rains or not, the Eiffel Tower sparkle every night. It doesn't matter what time of year it is; this sparkling effect always happens to enjoy many tourists of Paris. If it rains, though, the clouds may reflect the lights and make them sparkle even more magically. That's why, don't hesitate to come to see thhe Eiffel Tower sparke when it rains !

Designed in 1985 to highlight its nighttime grandeur and provide Parisian guests an amazing experience, the Eiffel Tower sparkle and light show is the five-minute sparkling spectacle observed at the beginning of every hour following sunset results from 20000 flashing lights arranged over the tower. The tower's eleganc is highlighted by the lights' desire to symbolize Paris and France as a whole. The light show also commemorates holidays, national evnts, and important occurrences. Now it is a real part of Paris.

At sunset, the Eiffel Tower lights switch on automatically as soon as it dark enough. The season affects the precise time, but generally it occurs at sunset. We kindly welcome you to utilize our website to the precise moment when the Eiffel towerr will shine. The Eiffel Tower lights turn on automaticaly at dusk, as soon as it gets dark enough. The exact time varies depending on the seson, but it usually happens around sunset. To know exact time when the Eiffel towerr will sparkle, we invite to use our website.

Indeed, depending on the time of year, the Eiffel Tower may sparkle at 6 o'clock in the evening—particularly in December. Surely, kindly check our website.

Indeed, depending on the time of year, the Eiffel Tower may sparkle at 8 o'clock in the evening—particularly in March. Surely, kindly check our website.

Indeed, depending on the time of year, the Eiffel Tower may sparkle at 10 o'clock in the evening—particularly in May. Surely, kindly check our website.

No, the Eiffel Tower doe not sparkles at 12 midnight. Except on certain summer days when the Eiffel Tower can sparkle with a surprise

The tower was built in 1889 for the World's Fair. At the time, its nighttime glow looked quite modest compared to its modern brilliance. Incandescent light bulbs were incredibly expensive in those years and also short-lived. That's why the tower was lit by 10,000 gas lanterns at the World's Fair. It is this lighting that replicates the modern golden light. And at the top of the tower, a tricolour lighthouse painted in the colours of the French flag was lit every evening.
The disadvantage of this lighting was that it was dim and uneven. Therefore, engineers began to work on improving the illumination.
Already in the next World Exhibition in Paris in 1900, the Eiffel Tower lighting was replaced by electric lighting. The new lighting system consisted of 5,000 light bulbs that were lit throughout the entire height of the tower. The electric lighting was much brighter and more spectacular.
This was a major technological advancement for the time. After all, laying the electricity and distributing the lights throughout the structure proved to be a complex technical task. To ensure safety, the wires had to be properly routed and protected from the weather, as the tower, being at such a height, was constantly exposed to wind and rain.

The tower began to look familiar in 1985 when engineer Pierre Bidet came up with the idea for a new lighting system. He replaced the old lamps with sodium floodlights, which give the famous golden hue. The system consisted of 336 powerful floodlights that illuminated each level of the tower, emphasising its majestic contours.
But it didn't end there. In 2000, at the turn of the millennium, the Eiffel Tower acquired another unique element - a sparkling illumination consisting of 20,000 light bulbs. They were lit for the first time on the night of the new millennium. And the tower was illuminated with a fabulous starry glow.
This variant of illumination was used on a temporary basis, and in 2003 it was replaced by permanent flickering lamps. Workers needed to string 40 kilometres of garlands and wires. They could have stretched across Paris from west to east and back again. And there would still be a ‘little tail’ 4 kilometres long.
The Eiffel Tower illumination is not just a symbol of France. It is an amazing story of the combination of art and technological advances. And the fact that it attracts the attention of millions of people every year is well deserved.

The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris that is particularly impressive in the evening hours, when its iron structures begin to sparkle with thousands of lights. Every hour, at dusk, it turns into a real firework display. And to appreciate the beauty of this spectacle, it is important to choose the right time and the perfect place. How fortunate that we have already made such a selection for you. Don't forget to save it!

When is the best time to watch the brilliance of the Eiffel Tower ?

Every evening, the Eiffel Tower is illuminated by 336 spotlights and every hour, for exactly 5 minutes, 20,000 lights adorn it with a magical starlight.

The tower's illumination is switched on automatically after dusk. The illumination works until midnight. Please note that the tower illumination is switched on at the beginning of each hour for only 5 minutes. This means that the last time you can see it in the evening is at 11 p.m., not before the illumination switches off.

In summer time, the schedule is a little different: the tower's illumination burns for an hour longer. And at exactly one o'clock in the morning, the spotlights and the lighthouse on top of the tower are switched off, and the glow continues for a few more minutes. A unique and mesmerising spectacle.

If you want to be in time for the start of the light show and enjoy the beauty of the tower in a quiet atmosphere, it's better to arrive half an hour before the start so that you have time to get the perfect seat.

What are the best places to see the Eiffel Tower light show ?

Now let's break down the best places from where you can best enjoy the festive light show of the Eiffel Tower.

1. Place du Trocadéro
Place du Trocadéro is the most famous and popular place to watch the Eiffel Tower. It offers a panoramic view of the tower and the city at its foot. A little secret, if you couldn't make it to the square to admire the illumination or there were too many people there, come at dawn. You won't see the glowing lights, but you will get another amazing natural light show. And no crowds of tourists.

2. Marsovo Pole Park
If you want to be as close to the tower as possible, Marsovo Pole is your choice. It is one of the most popular places for picnics and evening strolls. You can settle down on the lawn, taking something delicious with you, and relax and enjoy the spectacle. When the lights come on, you'll have the best spots to watch.

3. Bir Hakeim Bridge
Bir Hakeim Bridge is known for its cinematic view. This is where scenes for the movie Inception were filmed, and it is now one of photographers' favourites. Standing under the metal arches of the bridge, you can not only enjoy the view of the Eiffel Tower, but also see its lights reflected in the waters of the Seine.

4. Seine Quay
A walk along the Seine is always romantic. And in the evening, when the Eiffel Tower lights up, its reflection in the waters of the river adds magic to any walk. If you're tired of walking, take a river cruise and admire the glow from the water.

5. Montparnasse Tower
If you want to admire the panorama of Paris. And at the same time catch the moment when the Eiffel Tower illumination is switched on at sunset - you need the observation deck of Montparnasse Tower. It is the only skyscraper in the city that offers a truly unique view of the city.

6. Alexander III Bridge
Another very picturesque and even cinematic location is the Alexander III Bridge. Its luxurious appearance with gilded statues and baroque lanterns will not leave tourists indifferent. And the glow of the Eiffel Tower in the background will complete the picture to perfection. So don't forget to make sure your phone has enough memory for new photos.

In the city of love and romance, it's simply impossible not to spend an evening admiring the mesmerising glow of the Eiffel Tower. It's one of those memories that will keep you warm for years to come. All that's left is to choose the best vantage point.

As sunset approaches, most tourists in Paris rush to the city centre. They are attracted by the light show that adorns the Eiffel Tower as the sun sets. And many try to capture this moment. But it's not so easy to do it if you don't know how to set up your camera correctly. In this article we will reveal the secrets of how to make the best shot of the shining Eiffel Tower.

Choosing the right time
From the moment of sunset to midnight or 1am, the Eiffel Tower is illuminated by golden spotlights, and every hour for 5 minutes its surface sparkles thanks to 20,000 lights.

It's best to photograph the tower in the early hours, after sunset. While the night is still not so dark and deep. With each hour, the contrast between the glowing tower and the black sky will increase, making it difficult to try to take a quality photo. Camera settings for photos To successfully capture the illumination of the Eiffel Tower after sunset, you'll need to do a bit of fiddling with your camera settings beforehand. Here are the settings we advise you to adjust:

Bring a tripod
When you're shooting glow-in-the-dark subjects, any camera movement will blur the shot. A tripod will keep the frame stable and sharp. And to avoid ruining the photo by pressing the camera shutter, use the timer mode.

Low ISO sensitivity
Set your ISO to a low setting (100-400) to avoid excessive noise in the frame. A high ISO can create graininess, especially against dark skies.

Adjust the aperture
For shooting architecture in the evening, aperture values of f/8 to f/11 are best. This will capture enough light so that the frame isn't too dark. If you're photographing someone with the Eiffel Tower in the background, adjust the aperture to values up to f/11-16 and find an additional light source for the person in the frame. For example, illuminate with a second smartphone. This will allow you to achieve a more detailed image with deep sharpness. In the evening, your camera's autofocus may not work properly. We recommend that you adjust the focus manually. This way you can choose which element (or person) will be the centre of the composition.

Reduce the shutter speed
The longer your shutter speed, the more light will enter the frame. If you set the shutter speed too fast, the Eiffel Tower can become a glowing blur. For a sharp and detailed shot, choose a shutter speed of 1/60 to 1/100.

Shoot in RAW format
RAW format preserves more data about your shot and gives you more opportunities to edit it. Most importantly, make sure you have enough memory. Photos in this format weigh more than the usual JPG.

Perfectly capturing the Eiffel Tower is a difficult task because of the limited lighting, and the quick glow. So if you want cool memorable shots, you'll have to do some preparation. Don't forget to save the instructions.

The Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris and one of the most recognisable monuments in the world. But its splendour is especially evident in the evening, when it is illuminated by thousands of lights, making the whole city swoon in admiration. However, the tower's light show is not always monotonous: depending on world events and holidays, its illumination changes, turning the Iron Lady into a true work of art.

Eiffel Tower in winter: the glow in the colder months
In winter, the twinkling of the Eiffel Tower is more reminiscent than ever of Christmas lights. And on the night of the main celebration, the Eiffel Tower becomes the centre of a real light show.

The classic illumination is complemented by other colours and colourful projections. Every hour, starting at sunset, the tower sparkles, adding to the festive mood of the city, and exactly at midnight the tower is illuminated by the light of dozens of fireworks in the background, creating a grandiose show.

Spring awakening of lights
In spring, the Eiffel Tower is often the centrepiece of important festivals and light shows. For example, for Europe Day, the tower's lights may change to blue with gold stars symbolising the European Union. This combination adds to the festivities and emphasises the unity with European countries.

Summer evenings and festivals of lights
Summer is the most popular season for tourists. Therefore, the classic Eiffel Tower illumination burns for an hour longer. But there is a date when there are especially many tourists in the city. This is a bank holiday - Bastille Day. It takes place on the 14th of July.

On this day, the tower becomes the centrepiece of the celebrations. It becomes part of a large-scale fireworks display, which is launched directly from its metal structures. The golden shimmer of the tower combines with the explosions of lights in the sky to create a unique light show.

Autumn colours and themed light shows
In autumn, Paris gradually calms down after the hot tourist season, the street trees are covered with bright foliage and the life of the city dwellers becomes more measured. But there is also a date when the Eiffel Tower changes its appearance.

Every year on the 1st of October it starts to glow a soft pink. This is an annual action as part of the Breast Cancer Campaign. This gesture of solidarity attracts the attention of locals and tourists alike, reminding them of the importance of supporting and participating in social initiatives. The pink Eiffel Tower against the autumn sky is a symbol of hope and unity that is memorable.

Special festive events and dates
In addition to traditional lighting changes, the tower often takes part in global and national events, complementing them with its unique light shows.

International holidays
The Eiffel Tower's illumination lives in solidarity with the world and often changes its lighting on some major event. And sometimes to take part in world events is to switch off the illumination altogether. So every year the Eiffel Tower takes part in Earth Hour and switches off its magic light for an hour to draw attention to environmental issues.

Sporting events
The Eiffel Tower always changes its appearance during major sporting events such as the Olympic Games, football and rugby championships. This adds to the festive atmosphere of the whole city and allows you to feel the spirit of sporting unity.

Anniversaries and national celebrations
The tower changes its illumination for anniversaries. For example, for the 130th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower in 2019, a grand light show with projections was organised to illuminate every corner of it, telling its story.

The brilliant illumination of the Eiffel Tower is not just a decoration of Paris, but part of its cultural life. Every event and every celebration gives the tower a new look, turning it into a living, ever-changing landmark.

In 2024, the traditional illumination of the Eiffel Tower will be on every day from dusk until midnight. During the summer months, the illumination runs an hour longer, until 1am.

The Eiffel Tower is recognised as the main landmark of Paris, the most photographed architectural monument, and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991. Therefore, it is regularly maintained by the city administration. Regular renovations, painting and technical inspections are carried out. Therefore, its integrity is not threatened in any way.

It is not forbidden to photograph the Eiffel Tower. Neither is it forbidden to use the pictures for personal use. But commercial use of the pictures is possible only with the permission of the management company, as the illumination of the tower is protected by copyright. Most likely, you will have to pay for the use of the tower images. What happens if you take pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night? If you take photos as a keepsake and even post them on personal social media, nothing will happen. But if you use them commercially, you could get a summons and face a hefty fine, as photos of the Eiffel Tower illumination are copyrighted. Is it safe to walk around the Eiffel Tower at night? As a major landmark in Paris, the Eiffel Tower is heavily guarded. Nearby police are on duty 24 hours a day. So it can safely be called the safest place in the city. But we still do not recommend leaving personal belongings unattended. As places where tourists congregate always attract pickpockets.

The weight of the metal elements of the Eiffel Tower is about 7,300 tonnes, not including the concrete foundation. And the total weight is over 10,000 tonnes. Of this, 60 tonnes is made up of paint alone.

About 7 million tourists climb the Eiffel Tower every year. This figure can vary from 19,000 to 100,000 people per day, depending on the season, day of the week and festive events.

The tower was built as the entrance arch to the 1889 Paris World's Fair. It took a little over two years to build: all the elements of the iron structure were manufactured in a factory and assembled on site like a constructor. The tower was to be dismantled after 20 years, but Gustave Eiffel came up with a way to make it an important element of city life.

To protect against corrosion and rust, the Eiffel Tower is repainted every 7 years, which is especially important when it rains frequently. The work takes 18 months and is carried out when the attraction is closed to tourists. It takes 60 tonnes of paint to paint all the structures of the towerThe current colour of the tower is patented and is called ‘Eiffel Brown’. It has been used consistently for decades. Although the tower has been painted in many different colours in the past.

The tower's income comes from the sale of lift tickets, restaurant rentals and events. Between 19,000 and 100,000 people visit the tower every day, which translates into millions of euros in annual revenue.

The Eiffel Tower is considered one of the most visited attractions in Paris. Of the more than 40 million tourists who come to Paris every year, around 7 million make sure to climb the Eiffel Tower. ‘The Iron Lady’ generates a huge revenue for the city through visitors and tenants of the spaces on its levels. It is also a point of attraction for thousands of tourists.

The Eiffel Tower with its antennas is 330 metres tall. For a long time, it remained the tallest building in the world, and remains the highest point in Paris to this day. Because of its height, the Eiffel Tower is used to transmit radio signals.

Many Parisians, including famous artists and writers, criticised the tower as an ugly and disproportionate structure. And demanded its demolition. Some of the most famous critics were Guy de Maupassant, Alexandre Dumas and Emile Zola. There was even a protest letter to the government, signed by 300 famous cultural figures, demanding that the structure be stopped.

The Eiffel Tower was originally designed to withstand strong winds at altitude. Its structure and foundations prevent it from tilting more than 7 centimetres, even in the worst weather. It is much more affected by the sun. When the iron heats up on one side of the tower, the structure can deflect by 18 centimetres. But even such an impact is not dangerous for the stability of the tower.