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Tag Archives: Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris

The Eiffel Tower: The Most Visited Attraction in the World

11 February 20253 May 2025

We had just finished dinner at Café de Flore located on Boulevard St-Germain, not far from the Eiffel Tower.  David and I decided to take a leisurely walk, strolling along the Seine.  Passing the Quai Voltaire and approaching the Musee d’Orsay, we could see the glittering lights of the Eiffel Tower in the distance.    Within minutes, we stood at the base of the Tower, gazing up towards the complicated latticework and wide arches admiring its sturdy architecture.

Staring in complete awe of Gustave Eiffel’s magnificent design, I recalled that the Parisians were not so accepting of the Tower when it was first erected, some comparing it to the Tower of Babel.  Intended as the centerpiece for the 1889 World Exhibition, the tower would also commemorate the centenary celebration of the French Revolution.  Completed in just over two years, Gustave Eiffel agreed to finance the tower’s construction in exchange for any financial profits over the first twenty years.

The Eiffel Tower or “La Tour Eiffel” stands 984 feet high and was the tallest building of its time.  In addition to its height it was also considered an extraordinary technological advancement.

The Eiffel Tower represented the iron architecture of the Industrial Revolution. Constructed as the colossal entrance for the World’s Fair, it’s unique structure and curvature was simply genius while the open lattice design and exposed iron support beams equalized the wind.   According to Gustave Eiffel it was “an expression of mathematical equation and structural phenomena.”

During our visit to Paris, we found ourselves visiting the Eiffel Tower to take in the views during the day and to experience the beauty of the Parisian lights at night.  Visitors can access the three floors of the Eiffel Tower by elevator and the first floor by a set of stairs. The first platform is 187 feet above ground where there is the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant as well as family friendly buffets and a gift shop. I dropped off my stamped post cards so that they would be post marked from the “Tour Eiffel”.

When the Eiffel Tower was initially unveiled, the first floor platform showcased a Flemish bar which served Alsatian cuisine, a brasserie and two restaurants, The Brebant, considered a chic French restaurant with a view of the Champ-de-Mar as well as a Russian restaurant on the northeast corner.  Each wooden pavilion could seat 500 guests and the kitchens were built on the underside of the platform.

The second platform reaches 377 feet above ground offering extravagant views of the city. In addition, the world renowned Jules Verne Restaurant and shops are located on this floor.  David surprised me with reservations at the Jules Verne Restaurant and I could not wait for us to return in a couple of days to experience a luxurious dinner.

The Eiffel Tower was nearing completion by March of 1889 as it soared over nine hundred feet.  The elevators were ready to be installed, but the curvature design of the tower posed a challenge. In the end, Eiffel contracted with American Otis Elevator who invented a system that was years ahead of technological advancement.  The observation platform, enclosed by glass, would provide visitors an incredible view of Paris on a clear sunny day.

The Universal Exposition of 1889 officially opened on the sixth of May.  Exhibits showcased the latest in modern science and technology revealing the advances in electricity, telephone communications and the phonograph. Attendees enjoyed colorful parades, explored replicas of exotic markets, sampled foods from foreign lands and indulged in the customs of countries from every corner of the world.  Buffalo Bill introduced Europe to Annie Oakley who thrilled the spectators with her sharp shooting skills and grand tents reenacted the shoot outs of the Wild West.  Yet, while attendees were being introduced to such new inventions as popcorn, they would have to wait another two weeks before they could ascend the great tower.

Spectacular views await visitors on the third floor towering 905 feet above ground.  From here, one can experience panoramic views of Paris’ city landmarks (such as the capitol building), explore the reconstructed office of Gustave Eiffel and sip on champagne while taking in the panorama.  I imagined the experience to be just as exciting as the day the Eiffel Tower opened at the World Exposition. I would have to wait a couple of days to see.

Fast forward to dinner at the Jules Verne Restaurant and as we arrived I felt like a million dollars.  An exhilarating feeling overtook me as we rode the elevator up to the second floor.  David mentioned that he would not spare any expense to ensure that we enjoyed this moment, and we most certainly did.  We each ordered the six-plats meal that included wines that complimented each course, taking our time to savor each bite.

Once we completed our dinner, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to reach the top of the tower and enjoy a glass of champagne.   Even at night, the view was spectacular and the perfect ending to our exceptional visit to Paris.   We prepared ourselves to leave the Eiffel Tower and made our last stroll looking out over Paris.  We took one last look up into the starry night sky and boarded the elevator for our ride back down to the Champs de Mar.

No one could have ever imagined that The Eiffel Tower, scheduled to be dismantled in 1909, would host close to 7 million visitors a year.  Once the subject of controversy among Parisians, La Tour Eiffel has become the most visited monument in the world, offering tourists such as David and I the opportunity of a lifetime.

Have you visited the Eiffel Tower in Paris?  Did you take the elevator up to the top?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my exciting experience at the Eiffel Tower and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

The Eiffel Tower
Champ de Mars
5 Avenue Anatole France
75007, Paris, France
Telephone:  +33 8 92 70 12 39

  • Admission:  15.50 Euros all the way to the top; 9 Euros for the first two flights of stairs; 5 Euros to climb the stairs to the first or second level;  not covered under the Museum Pass
  • Hours:  Open daily from mid-June to August from 9AM to 1:45AM; last ascent to the top at 11PM; and to lower levels at midnight (elevator or stairs);
  • Tips:   Advanced reservations are highly recommended to eliminate waiting in long lines.  Purchase tickets online at www.toureiffel.paris up to three months in advance or by phone at +44 11 23 23.  Tickets sell out fast from April through September, so book as soon as possible.

Where to Stay:

Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris
31 Avenue George V
75008, Paris, France
Telephone:  33 1  49 52 70 00

Where to Eat:

Le Jules Verne Restaurant
Avenue Gustave Eiffel
75007, Paris, France
Telephone:  33 1 45 55 61 44

Tips:  There is a dress code and reservations book up quickly.

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Napoleon Builds an Arc in Paris, France

4 February 20253 May 2025

We walked around the circle at the base of the Arc de Triomphe, surrounded by the chaos of traffic and the sound of automobile horns. There were inscriptions in the ground underneath the vault of the arch marking the location of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Paying our respects, we happened upon the evening ceremony of the lighting of the torch.   This observance of one soldier, buried here in 1921, represented the many soldiers who fought for France during the First World War.

The magnificent Arc de Triomphe is a little piece of Rome that resides in the stylish city of Paris.  Napoleon Bonaparte, influenced by the triumphal arches of the Roman Empire, commissioned the monument to signify his victorious battle of Austerlitz in 1805.  Friezes of soldiers are ornately sculpted into the stonework while a list of Napoleonic victories and names of 558 French generals are memorialized on the inside and top of the arch. Four two-dimensional reliefs were elaborately carved into the arch, the most famous is Francois Rude’s “La Marseillaise”, which is also the title of Frances national anthem.  Standing 162 feet tall, 150 feet wide at the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle, the massive size can only be experienced in person.

We were prepared to visit the museum and climb the 284 steps to the top of the arch for magnificent views of Paris.  Purchasing our tickets in advance, we finished our exploration of the arch’s exterior and slipped into the museum to learn more about the history of the arch and mused over the enclosed miniature model.  The nearby shop offers a number of great mementos.

We continued our climb up the stairs to the viewing platform on top of the arch and were caught off guard by the breathtaking views.  Looking down from the top, we could see the maze of avenues extending out from the arch which resembled a web of concrete and steel.  Mesmerized by the lights along the Champs-Elysees we slowly walked the perimeter of the top where we located the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Sacre Coeur.

Although construction on the arch began in 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte would never have the opportunity to enjoy his trophy which took thirty years to complete.  While his funeral was conducted at the base of the arch in 1921, Napoleon’s triumphal project was finally completed in 1936.

What to See and What to Do:

Arc de Triomphe
Place Charles de Gaulle
75008, Paris, France
Telephone:  +33 155 377 377

  • Admission Fee:  Free, but there is an additional cost to visit the rooftop observation deck for 9,50 Euros for adults and free for visitors 18 years and under. From October to March, the first Sunday of each month is free.
  • Hours:  Open daily from 10AM to 11:30PM October to March and open daily from 10AM to 11PM April to September.  The last entry is scheduled 45 minutes prior to the museum’s closing.
  • Amenities:   Museum, gift shop, self guided tour brochure available in 8 languages and 90-minute tour lectures provided in French, English and Spanish
  • Scenic View:   Gorgeous views from the rooftop
  • Length of Visit:  1 – 2 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  The museum and observation deck is included in the Paris Pass.  Do not cross the traffic to reach the Arc de Triomphe!  Attempting to cross the roundabout is potentially dangerous.  From the northern side of the Champs-Elysees are stairs that lead to pedestrian tunnels bringing you beneath the arch.  You should be moderately fit to be able to take the stairs to the top and wear appropriate shoes. The best time to visit the rooftop is during sunset.

Where to Stay:

Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris
31 Avenue George V
75008, Paris, France
Telephone:  +33 49 52 70 00

Where to Eat:

Le Cinq
Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris
31 Avenue George V
75008, Paris, France
Telephone:  +33 49 52 71 54

Wow!  I experienced two amazing dinners over the last couple of days and Le Cinq will forever be considered one of my top three restaurants!  I ordered the Sea Bass with cavier and ribot milk that was so creamy and prepared with perfection!  David ordered the Australian Black Market Beef draped with truffled mozzarella and the meat was so tender and I wished we could have ordered another side of truffled mozzarella. Ingenious!

What to Eat: 

  • Beef Borgonion is France’s equivalent to a beef stew but better!
  • Fresh Bread from the Boulangerie 
  • Cheese
  • Chocolate Croissants
  • Coq au Vin is an extraordinary French chicken stew
  • Creme Brulee is an egg custard that has been torched on the top to create a crisp layer
  • Crepes are an egg based wrap filled sweet or savory fillings
  • Croque Monsieur or Croque Madame are croissants filled with sweet or savory fillings such as cheese or ham.
  • Duck which is listed as canard on the French menu
  • Escargot
  • French Onion Soup
  • Frites are France’s fancy French fries
  • Frog Legs
  • Frois Gras is a duck pate
  • Macarons are deliciously light airy pastries made from sugar and almond flour
  • Meringues
  • Profiteroles are cream puffs

What to Read: 

  • The Hunchback of Notre Dame, by Victor Hugo
  • The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway
  • Les Miserable, by Victor Hugo
  • The Life Before Us, by Romain Gary
  • All the Light we cannot see, by Anthony Doerr
  • Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky
  • Perfume by Patrick Suskind

Photo Guide for Paris: 

  • Avenue des Champs Elysses for street scenes and upscale restaurants and hotels
  • Eiffel Tower for fabulous views of the city
  • Galeries Lafayette Haussmann for gorgeous architecture
  • Jardin du Luxembourg for nature
  • The Louvre for art and architecture
  • Montemartre for the art scene and architecture
  • Notre Dame Cathedral for amazing views
  • Paris Bird and Flower Market for interesting people watching
  • Paris Metro for street scenes
  • Sacre Coeur for sunsets and panoramic views
  • Saint Michel and the Latin Quarter for street scenes

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I have had a passion to travel for as long as I can remember and landed my dream job at the age of 19 on a cruise ship. The Suite Life of Travel is about those experiences as well as my future endeavor to explore this amazing world!

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