Paris Icon (September 6, 2025)
“So dad, what are we doing today?” asked Violet. “The most iconic picture day we’ll likely have in Paris” was my reply. We’re headed to the Eiffel Tower.
We did this right. While we were unable to secure tickets ahead of time (the online tickets open up 60 days ahead of time), we were able to spend quality time together in line as we waited our turn to visit the very top.
What’s smart about the tickets to the Eiffel Tower is that they don’t sell out online. They allow the planners to secure their tickets and times they prefer while those of us who prefer spontaneity are not penalized. That is to say, if you’re wiling to wait in line, you can get to the very top of the Eiffel Tower.
What I did NOT remember about my last visit (perhaps it wasn’t there 30 years ago) was the optional walk across a glass floor at the second floor viewing tower. I’m not afraid of heights, but this walk over the glass had my heart racing. I forgot what it was like to truly feel fear and it was exhilarating.
Standing on glass above all the people below looking up at the Eiffel Tower
There was something eerie about being so high up and yet being able to watch the ant-sized people moving around below my feet. I took my time with this part and really allowed my fear to wash over me. As a thrill seeker, it’s been quite a long time since something like this got my heart racing. Intellectually, I knew that I was perfectly safe, but that didn’t stop my heart from pounding as I looked down below and watched all the activity happening.
It felt like the glass would break at any moment and I would be in one of those stunt movie hanging on to the railing for dear life. As this image raced through my brain, my mind imagined it happening and urged me to step off this glass.
Walking on the steel beam part of the overwatch glass at the Eiffel Tower
Eventually, the fear passed (subsided?) and I was able to ham it up again, pretending to walk only on the narrow beam between the glass. Even that was fun and exciting, although not nearly as scary as standing on the glass.
Violet and I wondered if Will would have joined us up here. Will is not afraid of heights per se, but there are times when it gets to him. For sure my mother-in-law Connie would have peered over the edge, but unlikely to join me on the glass. Connie battles FOMO with her fear of heights. Usually, the fear of missing out wins and she joins us on high-up adventures despite feeling that rush of fear I was feeling out there on the glass.
It’s been about 30 years since I last went up on the Eiffel Tower. In that time, the city of Paris hasn’t stood still and the urban sprawl is impressive. Once we took in the incredible 360 degree views, we did something I had never done before — we ate at the restaurant on the second floor overlooking the city. The views were stunning and the onion soup was so worth it. Violet and I enjoyed the cheese plate as well as the gelato.
Eating at the restaurant and enjoying all the surrounding views
And finally after spending a few hours hanging out at the various parts of the Eiffel Tower, we made our way down to explore the surrounding gardens and wildlife nearby. There are so many spots to sit and reflect as well as enjoy the views of every side of the Eiffel Tower. It’s really well done and deserves all the global recognition that it does.
As Violet commented at the end, “This will be one of the standout days that I remember. Not only for the Eiffel Tower, but all the time we got to spend together. Even chatting in line was fun.”
Me too. Even standing in lines for over an hour feels just right when you’re standing next to a person you love with all your heart and talking about the things in life that matter most. I totally agree that this was a red letter day. Glad to be here in Paris with Violet. We are having the time of our lives … together.
