Are you ready to fall head over heels for the Eiffel Tower? If the dizzying heights, intricate metal lacework and breathtaking views of this gorgeous French lady don’t give you butterflies, then these eight reasons the Eiffel Tower is the “Tower of Love” should do the trick.
1. A tower crowning the City of Love
Built in the center of Paris — a city known for being the most romantic place on the planet — how could we not expect the Eiffel Tower to be a romantic place?
It was built during the Belle Époque, which literally means the beautiful period, and she herself is an absolute stunner. All 300 meters, 10 tons and 18,000 pieces of her. I like to use the pronouns she and her when referring to the tower because in French the word tower is feminine.
This enchantress has a few other names that you might not have heard before:
- Madame de Fer (Iron Lady)
- La femme rouge (The Red Woman)
These names reference her appearance and what she’s made of. She is made of iron and when she rusts, she turns red. Also, for many years — before they painted her “Eiffel Tower Brown” — the anti-corrosion paint that they used to protect her and her striking lines was red. This vivid color was a perfect shade for such a passionate lady — don’t you think?
2. Where you’ll find love at first sight
We all have a vision of what the Eiffel Tower looks like in our mind. We see her in movies, magazines, and our imaginations as we read about stories of romance in the City of Love. But there is nothing like the first moment you lay eyes on her in person.
It’s like a dream coming true as you stand there, feeling so small in comparison and eager to ascend and get to know her even better. I’ve lived in Paris for five years now, and I still get weak in the knees at the sight of her. There’s just something special, unexplainable, and touching about this monument.
Will the tower itself give you love at first sight with someone else? Possibly not, but who knows?
Local tip: If you want to catch a particularly romantic photo of the Eiffel Tower, visit in spring (especially March and April) when cherry blossoms bloom on the Champ de Mars.
3. Eiffel Tower, made with love
Gustave Eiffel, the engineer and designer behind this beautiful creation, was a total romantic at heart. He married at the age of 30, having waited to meet the love of his life. Then tragically, his wife passed away only 15 years later.
As many do, to deal with the grief, he poured his time and energy into his work. He spent the last 30 years of his life at the Eiffel Tower, making incredible scientific advancements, even constructing an apartment at the tower’s summit where he entertained guests and where he often spent the night.
Because Gustave never remarried, many say that the Eiffel Tower became his second wife.
4. Breathtaking views perfect for romance
The views from the balconies of the Eiffel Tower will take your breath away. I spent many years as a tour guide on the tower and every single time I reached its heights, I was in awe of the beautiful city that lay before me. From intricate architecture to the way the light hits the silver roofs of the city, it really is an incredible thing to behold.
From the Eiffel Tower you can see things like Notre Dame, Pantheon, the Louvre and many many more landmarks.
Travel guide: If you want to know what else you can see from up high, check out our guide to everything you can see from the Eiffel Tower.
5. Romantic couple photos at the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower may be the most romantic place in Paris to take adorable photos of you and your sweetie. Whether you climb (or ride up) the tower or just wander around outside, there are plenty of great photo ops.
Here are a few of my favorites:
- Pont de l’Alma: A two-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower with a great backdrop of the tower and fewer crowds.
- Place Trocadero: You can’t do a Google search about Paris without coming across a photo of the tower from this vantage point. It’s a definite must.
- Rue de Buenos Aires: A gorgeous cobbled cul-de-sac with the tower looming in the background.
- Champ de Mars: This viewpoint is also very popular, and with reason. The large green lawns and open spaces offer a full-length view — one of the only places in Paris that does.
- Place de Catalogne: Here you will also find a full view of the tower but at a distance. Perhaps slightly off the beaten track, but if you find yourself at the theaters of Montparnasse, it is well worth the photo opportunity.
6. Stories of romance at the Eiffel Tower
There are several stories of romance at the Eiffel Tower — from tragic love to one woman who tried to marry the tower (really). And the summit is always a popular place for grand romantic gestures.
Turns out, the Eiffel Tower is actually one of the most popular places in the world to pop the question.
Fun fact: Data taken from popular social media platforms showed that 1 in 679 proposals posted on Instagram are made in and around the tower.
That is huge! But it’s not surprising. In my years of working on the tower, I’ve been lucky enough to witness quite a few proposals on my tour.
7. Ending the day with bubbly and your beloved
What could be more romantic than ending the day at the summit while sipping a glass of champagne with your special someone. You can watch the sunset and whisper sweet nothings in each other’s ears.
This dream is doable because there’s a champagne bar at the top of the Eiffel Tower with incredible views from 905 feet up in the air. You’ll feel like you floated up there on fizzy bubbles.
8. Table for two, please
Why not let the champagne be an aperitif, and book a table at the first-floor restaurant?
It offers views of the city as you dine on a mouth-watering meal from an incredible menu created by renowned french chef Thierry Marx. Marx is the real deal. He’s been awarded two Michelin stars.
Travel tip: When asking for a table for two you would say “une table pour deux, s’il vous plait.” Which sounds something like: oon tabla pour doo, see voo play. The video below sounds it out.
Everyone loves a happy ending
Whenever and with whomever you choose to visit the tower, it’s sure to be an experience that touches your heart.
It is, truly, an experience best shared with others, so even if you are solo traveling, you need not do it alone. A guided climb of the Eiffel Tower or elevator tour are both a great way to meet people from all over the world. Join us as a group, a couple or solo, and always feel welcome.
