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Eiffel Tower to plunge into early darkness every night amid Europe's looming energy crisis

By Li Cohen

September 13, 2022 / 3:54 PM EDT / CBS News

Every night, the Eiffel Tower lights up Paris' night sky, mesmerizing the hundreds who gather to see the more than 1,000-foot tower glisten in the moonlight. But the worst energy crisis since the '70s has hit amid the continent's hottest summer on record — and now, the iconic monument is going dark early.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced the plan Tuesday, saying the city is aiming to save 10% of its energy consumption during the winter. As part of the plan , all of the city's municipal buildings will turn off their lights starting at 10 p.m., although public lighting will remain on for safety.

Beginning on Sept. 21, the Eiffel Tower, which is usually illuminated in golden hues within less than 10 minutes of nightfall and has an hourly 5-minute show of dazzling sparkles until 1 a.m., will have its lights turned off beginning at 11:45 p.m., when visiting time has ended. The nightly golden illumination makes up about 4% of the monument's annual energy expenses, according to its website.

Extinction dès 22h de tous les bâtiments municipaux, comme l'Hôtel de Ville ou les mairies d'arrondissement. Pour continuer d'assurer la sécurité des Parisiennes et des Parisiens, l’éclairage public est maintenu. L'illumination de @LaTourEiffel se terminera désormais à 23h45. — Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) September 13, 2022

In addition, the city will lower the temperature in public buildings from 19 degrees Celsius (66.2 degrees Fahrenheit) to 18 degrees Celsius (64.4 Fahrenheit), not including those that cater to vulnerable populations, such as nurseries and nursing homes, and heating in administrative buildings, not including social housing, will be delayed by a month. Swimming pools will also be a degree cooler.

The city said that it will also be cutting hot water to administrative buildings and some public buildings, again, not including those that cater to vulnerable populations.

Major Parisian consumers, including large-scale landlords, hotel chains, supermarkets, department stores and businesses, will also be asked to reduce their winter energy consumption by 10%.

The news comes as the city noted that Europe is experiencing an energy crisis described as "the worst since the 1970s." Energy prices at the end of August were €1,000 MWh, the city said — 12 times the price recorded at the same time last year.

"The need for energy sobriety and ecological transition is essential," the city said in the announcement of its energy-saving plans. "Faced with the risk of shortages, a national sobriety effort at all levels must be put in place."

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne announced at the end of August that companies in the nation would have to create energy-saving plans by the end of September as concerns worsened over power shortages and sharp cost increases because of the war in Ukraine. And at the beginning of the month, French President Emmanuel Macron called for the country as a whole to reduce 10% of its energy use to avoid energy rationing and cuts during the winter, according to the Associated Press .

According to Reuters, the European Union is also expected to announce new measures on Wednesday to reduce gas and power costs . The planned announcement comes after Russia said at the start of the month that it would not reopen the main Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline — an essential source of energy for European nations.

All of this happened as Europe experienced its hottest summer on record. The continent was plagued by months of extreme heat, drought and wildfires — each accentuating the other. A report from Europe's climate observation service last week found that recorded temperatures from June through August were 0.4 degrees Celsius warmer than 2021 and that August was the hottest on record.

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Li Cohen is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.

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The Eiffel Tower Is Shutting Off Its Lights—And Here’s Why It Matters

By Katherine McLaughlin

The Eiffel Tower is shutting off its lights, and by extension, the entire Paris skyline may soon be getting a little darker. Later this week, Paris city hall is expected to propose that the tower’s light be shut of an hour earlier than it currently is, according to a report in The Guardian . If put into effect, the Eiffel Tower’s would go dark at 11:45 p.m. instead of 1 a.m.

The plan comes as Europe faces a mounting energy crisis , largely due to the cascading impacts of Russia invading Ukraine. However, the move, much like the tower itself , is largely symbolic. The head of the tower’s management, Jean-François Martins, told the publication that the gesture was “part of the growing awareness around energy sobriety.” Currently, only 4% of the tower’s annual energy consumption comes from evening lighting.

Side by side images show the Eiffel tower lit and dark

With the proposal in effect, the tower’s light will shut off an hour early.

Described by European officials as “ energy blackmail ,” Russia has nearly cut off all access to the natural gas the continent has depended on for years, as European nations support Ukraine. The result is skyrocketing energy prices, both for individuals and organizations, causing cities to put energy-saving measures into place. Paris would not be the first city to decrease nighttime lighting at cultural sites or monuments, though in other places, the choice is often more out of necessity than to make a point. Just last month , cities across Germany enforced multiple strategies to conserve energy, including turning off lights at 200 monuments and government buildings.

The plan proposed by the city council does not appear to affect the monument’s nightly sparkling light show. Currently, the tower twinkles for five minutes every hour on the hour from nightfall until the last demonstration at 1 a.m. During this final iteration , all structural lights are switched off leaving only the twinkling ones until the tower goes fully dark. While it’s unclear exactly how this closing show will change, it’s likely it would still take place at the very end of the evening lighting period, concluding around 12:45 a.m.

Although it was built in 1887, the Eiffel Tower was first illuminated as we know it to be today in 1985. Before that, ten thousand gaslights were used to highlight the structure, with external projectors adding additional spotlights at the base.

Eiffel Tower to go dark earlier at night in response to energy crisis

The landmark will turn the lights off starting at 11:45 p.m., officials said.

The Eiffel Tower will go dark earlier than usual each night in response to the energy crisis in Europe, officials announced Tuesday.

The illumination of the Eiffel Tour will end at 11:45 p.m., which is when the tower closes to visitors, starting Sept. 21, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said . The iconic landmark is usually lit until 1 a.m.

PHOTO: The illuminated Eiffel Tower is reflected on the Seine river at night in Paris, April 12, 2020.

Additionally, the lighting on the exterior facades of all municipal buildings and monuments, including borough town halls, will be turned off at 10 p.m. starting on the same date, she said.

Public lighting will be maintained to ensure the safety of Parisians, the mayor said.

The lighting changes are among "sobriety" measures the French capital is enacting in the colder months to address the energy crisis spurred by Russia's war in Ukraine and to prevent energy shortages.

Other actions include postponing when the city turns on the heat in public buildings by a month and lowering the temperature in those buildings by 1 degree to 18 degrees Celsius (about 64 degrees Fahrenheit) during office hours and even lower after office hours and on weekends.

PHOTO: The Eiffel Tower submerges into darkness as part of the Earth Hour switch-off in Paris, March 27, 2021.

The city aims to reduce its energy use by 10% this winter -- a target set in July by French President Emmanuel Macron to conserve energy nationwide. The actions come after Europe saw its hottest summer in recorded history, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, and energy prices at the end of August were 12 times higher than they were at that time last year, Hidalgo's office said.

It is unclear how long the changes will be in effect.

A Russian squeeze on natural gas supplies in response to Western sanctions imposed over its actions in Ukraine has sent gas and electricity prices soaring in Europe. The crisis is expected to only get worse during the winter.

MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates

The European Commission last week put forth new measures to continue to address the crisis, including proposing a mandatory target for reducing electricity use at peak hours and a price cap on Russian gas.

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To Save Energy, the Eiffel Tower Dims Its Lights Early

The iconic landmark will go dark at 11:45 p.m. to help the city’s conservation efforts

Daily Correspondent

The City of Light is about to get a little bit darker. In a bid to conserve energy, Parisian officials will turn off the lights of the iconic Eiffel Tower more than an hour earlier than usual starting this week.

Lights typically illuminate the popular tourist attraction until 1 a.m. However, from September 23 forward, the tower will go dark starting at 11:45 p.m., Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced on Twitter last week. The new lights-out plan aligns with the tower’s closing time: Visitors can enter until 10:45 p.m. but must be out by 11:45 p.m.

“It’s a symbolic, but an important step,” Hidalgo told journalists last week, per Nicolas Garriga and Barbara Surk of the Associated Press (AP).

Hidalgo announced the new Eiffel Tower schedule as part of the French capital’s broader efforts to conserve energy. Elsewhere across the city, other monuments and municipal buildings will also go dark earlier than usual to help reduce energy consumption by about 10 percent, a goal outlined by France’s president Emmanuel Macron earlier this summer .

The lights will now go out at Saint-Jacques Tower and City Hall at 10 p.m. To keep people safe, officials will keep streetlights on throughout the city and will continue to illuminate bridges over the Seine River. Hidalgo said she also plans to encourage the government to reduce lighting at national monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Pantheon .

Paris officials also plan to lower the temperature inside public buildings from 66 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit (19 to 18 Celsius) during normal business hours, and to 61 degrees Fahrenheit (16 Celsius) on nights and weekends. They will also turn on the heat in public buildings in mid-November, rather than mid-October.

Built starting in 1887 to be an attraction for the Paris Exposition of 1889 , the Eiffel Tower has welcomed travelers to France for more than 130 years. At 1,083 feet tall, the latticed iron structure can be seen from spots all over Paris. Visitors can explore the tower’s first and second floors, as well as the summit, which includes enclosed and open-air areas. On average, more than 6 million individuals visit the beloved landmark each year, according to the Eiffel Tower’s website .

Paris, like other parts of Europe, is feeling the squeeze of a widespread energy crisis due largely to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia is sending less natural gas to European countries supporting Ukraine, which has caused prices of electricity and gas to skyrocket.

The demand for energy is expected to increase this winter, and officials are taking proactive steps to reduce the risks of blackouts and power shortages. This summer, for example, Spain required shops, restaurants, bars, offices and other public spaces to set the air conditioning at or above 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius); the new rules will also apply this winter , during which buildings must keep the thermostat at or below 66 degrees Fahrenheit (19 Celsius).

The energy crisis has also been hard on European manufacturers , who have had to furlough workers and slash the production of items ranging from steel to fertilizer to toilet paper.

“It’s the most dramatic situation we have ever encountered,” says Nicholas Hodler, who heads the Arc International glass factory in Arques, France, to the New York Times ’ Liz Alderman. “For energy-intensive businesses like ours, it’s crippling.”

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Sarah Kuta | READ MORE

Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics.

Eiffel Tower Lights to Turn Off Earlier to Lower Power Use

T he lights that make the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night will be turned off more than an hour earlier than usual to save energy.

The Paris town hall is due to announce Tuesday that the lighting of the French capital’s iconic structure will be turned off at 11:45 p.m. instead of 1 a.m. The measure was reported earlier by newspaper Journal Du Dimanche.

“It’s an eminently symbolic gesture to participate in raising awareness about the need to save energy,” Jean-François Martins, president of the site operator SETE, said in a statement.

Lighting the iron structure at night represents 4% of its annual power consumption, according to the Societe d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel.

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Energy crisis to cast Eiffel Tower into early darkness

Paris city hall expected to propose cutting back lighting of monument by more than an hour a day

The Eiffel Tower, whose twinkling lights define the night-time Paris skyline, is to fall dark earlier because of the energy crisis .

Paris city hall is expected to propose this week that the monument, which is among the most visited in the world, should go dark more than an hour earlier than usual, as Europe faces spiralling energy costs aggravated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Eiffel Tower is currently illuminated after dark until 1am by an elaborate lighting system that gives it a golden glow. In addition, the monument twinkles for five minutes on the hour from nightfall, thanks to 20,000 flashing bulbs.

The city hall is expected to propose that the tower fall dark at 11.45pm when the final visitors leave, meaning it will no longer twinkle at midnight.

The Eiffel Tower went dark on Thursday night – an exceptional measure – to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The move to curtail the lighting is seen as a way to set an example for the reduction of city illumination in general.

Jean-François Martins, the head of the tower’s management, said: “It’s a highly symbolic gesture – part of the growing awareness around energy sobriety.”

The night-time lighting of the monument accounts for 4% of its annual energy consumption. The tower, which was completed in 1889, has returned to pre-Covid visitor numbers at more than 20,000 a day.

Other city authorities are also reducing the night-time lighting of important sites. Monuments in Marseille including the Pharo Palace will switch lights off earlier from the end of September in order to save energy.

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In Berlin this summer, night-time lighting was reduced on several monuments, including the Victory Column, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and the Jewish Museum.

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Eiffel Tower's lights will turn off early amid Europe energy crisis

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Extinction dès 22h de tous les bâtiments municipaux, comme l'Hôtel de Ville ou les mairies d'arrondissement. Pour continuer d'assurer la sécurité des Parisiennes et des Parisiens, l’éclairage public est maintenu.L'illumination de @LaTourEiffel se terminera désormais à 23h45. — Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) September 13, 2022

The city said that it will also be cutting hot water to administrative buildings and some public buildings, again, not including those that cater to vulnerable populations.

Major Parisian consumers, including large-scale landlords, hotel chains, supermarkets, department stores and businesses, will also be asked to reduce their winter energy consumption by 10%.

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Lights To Go Off Earlier At The Eiffel Tower Starting Later This Month

Breaking News Reporter, HuffPost

The top of the illuminated Eiffel Tower is pictured at night in Paris on March 8, 2021.

The mayor of Paris announced Tuesday that lights on the Eiffel Tower will soon get turned off more than an hour earlier each day, as Europe scrambles to prepare for an anticipated energy crisis amid a showdown with Russia.

Anne Hidalgo said that the Parisian monument, which typically lights up after sunset and then goes dark after 1 a.m. will have its lights turned off at 11:45 p.m. daily — the end of the tower’s visiting hours — starting on Sept. 21.

Jean-François Martins, the president of tower operator Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, called the measure “an eminently symbolic gesture to participate in raising awareness about the need to save energy,” according to a statement cited by Bloomberg .

Separately, the tower’s lights stayed off all Thursday evening to pay tribute to the death of Queen Elizabeth II in the U.K., according to The Guardian .

The city’s municipal buildings will also go dark at 10 p.m., but public lights will stay as is “to ensure the safety of Parisians,” Hidalgo said.

The average temperature in public buildings will be set lower as well, and heating in administrative buildings will be turned on a month later than in years prior, Hidalgo said.

In August, Germany announced the maximum temperature for public buildings should be set at 19 degrees Celsius (about 66 degrees Fahrenheit), with few exceptions, including hospitals.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on his country’s citizens to reduce their energy consumption by 10% to avoid more drastic measures, including energy rationing, according to France 24 .

Europe’s gas prices reached an all-time high following an announcement by Russian energy company Gazprom earlier this month that it wouldn’t reopen the Nord Stream 1 pipeline that runs to Germany — a move that some European officials have characterized as retaliation for sanctions on Moscow amid the Ukraine war.

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed action, including a mandatory reduction in energy consumption across all member states and also collecting about $140 billion from energy companies’ profits.

While these moves will need to be approved by the members states before they can go into effect, markets are already responding well to the plan, with gas prices falling about 40% from to two weeks ago, according to Bloomberg .

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The Eiffel Tower at Night: Where and When to See the Lights

Want to see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night or even glowing with the light of fireworks? In this guide, I’ll share when you can see the Eiffel Tower sparkling, including from inside the tower itself.

It’s true — from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe to the Notre-Dame Cathedral (even in its partially renovated state), Paris is a city dotted with world-famous monuments. Yet none are as iconic as the Eiffel Tower. Better yet, this stunning Parisian monument puts on a light show of its own every evening.

Depending on what time of year you visit Paris, you can see fireworks spouting from the summit or the entire tower glowing bright pink. But no matter when you visit, you can always witness the magic of the Eiffel Tower at night, you just have to know when and where to look.

When can you see the lights on the Eiffel Tower?

If you’ve spent any significant amount of time in Paris, you’ve surely admired the Eiffel Tower by day, but as many Parisians will tell you, it’s even more majestic at night. Every evening at dusk, the tower is illuminated and casts a beautiful, golden glow over the city, highlighting the stunning Haussmanien architecture and numerous monuments.

The Eiffel Tower remains lit up from dusk until 2 a.m. (1 a.m. during winter), but the real spectacle happens every hour, on the hour. For five minutes, the tower is sparkling with 20,000 lightbulbs, and the summit’s searchlight scans the Parisian skyline making for a truly magical scene.

When to watch: The top of the hour from dusk to 2 a.m. (or 1 a.m. in winter) when the tower sparkles

A new millennium: A brief history of the Eiffel Tower’s lights

The Eiffel Tower didn’t always put on a nightly light show. If we really look at it, it’s impressive how much effort it took to make this monument shine.

Back in 1999, the Eiffel Tower was set to be fitted out in thousands of lights to celebrate the new year. It took 25 mountain climbers just over five months to install 20,000 lightbulbs on the tower, and all to the tune of €4.5 million.

Well, the now-beloved sparkling lights of the Iron Lady were originally only meant to be a temporary exhibition to ring in the new millennium, but thankfully they stayed on and have been a permanent fixture since 2003.

The Eiffel Tower lights by the numbers

Number of lights: 20,000
Year launched: 1999
Cost: €4.5 million

Can you take photos of the Eiffel Tower lights at night?

You might have heard you’re not allowed to photograph the Eiffel Tower lights at night. However, as of 2016, you can take photos of the Eiffel Tower, even when it’s lit up at night, if it’s just for personal use, like holiday travel mementos.

If you want to take a photo of the Eiffel Tower illuminated for commercial purposes, that’s when the rules are different. The Eiffel Tower illumination is copyrighted as an artistic work, so taking photos or video of it for commercial purposes is prohibited (unless you have express permission from the Eiffel Tower). That’s why you’ll notice we don’t have any photos of the Eiffel Tower lit up on this blog, even though this post is all about the Eiffel Tower lights. We’re a tour company that works with the Eiffel Tower, and we don’t want to break France’s copyright law.

Watch the video above for a full explanation. It’s pretty interesting!

See the Eiffel Tower by daylight

Can you climb the eiffel tower at night.

The Eiffel Tower’s open hours during the peak season (June 1–Sept. 1) are usually 9 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., which means you can also climb the Eiffel Tower at night — and this is an experience I would definitely recommend. There’s nothing quite like being hundreds of feet above Paris and seeing the city and the tower light up and come to life as night falls.

Local tip: Try to plan your climb for during or just after sunset. You’ll be able to see a beautiful Parisian sunset and see the lights come on over the city, and of course on the tower itself.

The rest of the year the tower is open from 9:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. So if you’re here during winter months, you can still climb it at night.

When to see the Eiffel Tower fireworks

Bastille day.

Every year on the 14th of July, Paris puts on an exceptional fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower to celebrate the storming of the Bastille, sometimes called Bastille Day, especially in the U.S., but the French call it the “Fête nationale,” or national festival.

The firework show begins just after dark, but there are all kinds of events and festivities going on around Paris during the day: parades, concerts, and open-air parties and picnics.

The grassy knoll in front of the Eiffel Tower generally fills up with hopeful spectators well before mid-afternoon, but there are plenty of great (and less crowded) places in the city to watch the fireworks from. Some of my personal favorites are the Jardin des Tuileries near the Place de la Concorde, the Avenue de Saxe, l’Esplanade des Invalides, or from Montmartre just in front of the Sacré-Coeur Cathedral.

And if you’re lucky enough to ring in the New Year in Paris, you can expect to see an impressive Eiffel Tower light show then, too.

5 amazing places to see the tower by night

While the Eiffel Tower is visible from most neighborhoods in Paris at night, there are some locations that truly stand out. Here are my top 5 recommendations:

Square Rapp

This beautiful residential square is tucked away right in the middle of the 7th arrondissement and often overlooked by passersby. Boasting an excellent and unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower, this is one spot to go if you’re hoping to take some unique photos of the Iron Lady by night.

Location: The entrance to the Square is located at 37 Avenue Rapp, just between the Post Office and the Luxembourg Embassy.

This upscale restaurant and bar atop the Musée Quai Branly not only serves up delightful and refined French fare, but offers a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower from most every table. The amazing view, good food, and quiet atmosphere make Les Ombres a lovely option for a romantic evening in Paris.

Location: 27 Quai Branly, 75007 Paris

Arc de Triomphe

Easily one of Paris’ most famous monuments, the Arc de Triomphe stands at the end of the busy Avenue des Champs-Elysées and offers a 360° view over Paris from its viewing platform. This is really the perfect place to see the Eiffel Tower by night and catch the ambiance of bustling Parisian nightlife.

Location: Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris

This trendy rooftop bar is perched 60 meters above Paris, just a stone’s throw from the Gare de Lyon train station. Here you can enjoy incredible, unobstructed views of the Eiffel Tower (and the entire city to be honest) from a lounge chair or beanbag, craft cocktail in hand.

Location: 5 Rue Van Gogh, 75012 Paris

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

The Bir-Hakeim bridge traverses the Seine to connect Paris’ 15th and 16th arrondissements. This bridge is famous for its artful steel arches and antique lamps, as well as its appearance in the hit film “Inception.”

But without a doubt, the Pont de Bir-Hakeim is one of the best places in Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. Framed by the classic Parisian architecture and the Seine river, it’s what photo dreams are made of.

Lights out at the Eiffel Tower

When the Eiffel Tower declares “lights out” at 2 a.m. and stops sparkling for the evening, the city breaks into two parts: those who will see what an entire night out in Paris has to offer, and those who will make their way home awaiting a day of exploration come tomorrow.

For some other ideas for your Eiffel Tower visit, check out our blog post on Everything You Can See from the Eiffel Tower.

Tour the Eiffel Tower

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When does the Eiffel Tower sparkle?

If you’re planning to visit, there’s one spectacle you simply can’t miss—the Eiffel Tower lighting up the night sky.

It’s like the city’s own version of the stars coming out, except it happens every evening, with a touch of human ingenuity. From the beacon that shines atop the tower to the white lights that adorn its first and second floors, the Eiffel Tower light show is a testament to the city’s flair for melding the past with the present.

But when does the Eiffel Tower sparkle?

In this article, we’ll go over when you can catch the famous Eiffel Tower light show, and the best viewing points around the city.

⚡ Related read: Why is Paris called The City of Light?

Table of Contents

What time does the Eiffel Tower light up?

The Eiffel Tower lights up every evening from sunset until 1 AM, with a sparkling light show occurring for the first 5 minutes of every hour after dusk.

Every evening, as the sun bids adieu to the City of Lights, the tower embraces a golden covering that makes it shimmer from the base all the way to the very top of the tower. This daily transformation begins at sunset and continues until the clock strikes 1 AM.

The sparkling lights of the tower are just magical – Imagine someone took a giant fairy wand and tapped the tower, making it burst into thousands of twinkling lights. This spectacle happens at the beginning of each hour for 5 minutes, thanks to some 20,000 light bulbs that decided to throw their own party.

And yes, these bulbs are the life of the party every single night!

You might be wondering, “How do they know exactly when to start?” Thanks to light-sensitive twilight sensors, the Eiffel Tower’s golden lighting switches and sparkling effect are as punctual as a Swiss watch, ensuring the show starts at the precise start of the hour.

💡 Here’s a fun fact: depending on the time of the year, the show starts at different times. Longer days in summer mean later light shows, while the winter months gift us with the tower’s brilliance a bit earlier in the evening.

And on special occasions, the Iron Lady loves to dress up. New Year’s Eve , Bastille Day (July 14th), and Pink October for breast cancer awareness are just a few times the tower might surprise you with a different sparkle or even a color change.

The last Eiffel Tower sparkle before it goes dark is particularly poignant—like the final bow at the end of a magnificent performance.

Does the Eiffel Tower sparkle every night?

Alright, let’s get straight to the point: Does the Eiffel Tower sparkle every single night? In short, yes, it’s like the Iron Lady’s nightly ritual.

But, as with all good things, there are a few “buts” to consider.

So, here’s the deal. Every night, without fail, the Eiffel Tower puts on its sparkling show, lighting up the Parisian skyline every hour on the hour for 5 minutes after sunset until the tower goes dark at 1 AM.

But, life’s full of exceptions, right? On very rare occasions, the sparkle might take a night off.

We’re talking about times of maintenance—because even icons need a little TLC—or during severe weather conditions.

Also, out of respect, the tower’s lights may dim or not sparkle during national mourning days. It’s a way for the city to pay its respects.

⚡ Related read: Is Paris Overrated?

Special Occasions and Extra Sparkle

Now, for the fun part. Special occasions can bring a little extra magic to the tower’s usual sparkle.

New Year’s Eve and Bastille Day , for instance, aren’t just regular nights in Paris. On these nights, the Eiffel Tower might show off with extended light shows, special colors, or even unique lighting effects. It’s like the Iron Lady dresses up in her finest to celebrate with the rest of Paris.

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And because we’re living in a time when turning off the lights when you leave the room is just as important as locking the door, environmental considerations do come into play.

The city of Paris and the tower’s management keep a close eye on energy consumption. In recent years, there’s been a push to ensure that the beauty of the Eiffel Tower’s lighting doesn’t come at an unnecessary cost to the planet.

This means that the sparkling effect is as energy-efficient as possible, using LEDs and other tech to keep the wow without the ouch for the environment.

In summary, yes, the Eiffel Tower sparkles every night, bringing a little bit of magic to the City of Lights regularly. But it’s also smart about it, balancing tradition with responsibility.

⚡ Related read: What is Paris famous for?

8 Best Places to See the Eiffel Tower Lights

Wondering where to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle? You’re in luck because Paris offers plenty of spots to enjoy the show.

Whether you’re a camera-toting photo enthusiast, in search of a romantic backdrop, or simply soaking in the vibes, here are my personal favorite 8 places to see the Eiffel lights:

1. Trocadéro Gardens

First up, the Trocadéro Gardens. This spot is like the VIP lounge for Eiffel Tower viewing. Positioned directly across the river, it offers an unobstructed, front-row seat to the light show.

The atmosphere here is electric, with both locals and tourists mingling, cameras at the ready. For those looking to capture that postcard-perfect shot or enjoy a moment straight out of a romance novel, this is your spot.

Just remember, this spot is no secret. So, if you’re aiming for a prime position, get there early or be prepared to navigate the crowd.

2. River Seine Cruises

Fancy seeing the Iron Lady while afloat? A Seine River cruise by night is like watching a live painting unfold.

The reflection of the sparkling lights on the water adds a whole new layer of magic to the experience. There are plenty of cruise options, from dinner extravaganzas to simple sightseeing boats, each offering a unique perspective of the tower’s lights. It’s a moving panorama that’s hard to beat.

⚡ P.S. You can read the full review of my Seine Dinner Cruise experience here !

3. Champ de Mars

For a more laid-back vibe, head to the Champ de Mars.

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This sprawling green space extends from the tower’s base, offering a closer yet angled view. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic under the stars, with the Eiffel Tower’s lights as your candlelight.

The vibe here is more relaxed, with families and friends gathering on blankets, sharing food, and stories under the glow of the tower.

4. Montparnasse Tower

If you’re craving a bird’s-eye view, head to the Montparnasse Tower.

Standing tall with its 56th-floor observation deck and rooftop terrace, this famous tower provides a stunning panoramic view of the tower amidst the Paris skyline. It’s a less crowded alternative, offering a serene yet breathtaking experience.

Watching the tower sparkle from this height, with the city lights stretching into the horizon, is truly a unique experience. There’s also a rooftop restaurant on the 56th floor of the tower , so you can have a romantic dinner while admiring the twinkle of the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

5. Restaurants and Bars with Views

Paris knows how to dine with a view . From luxurious establishments atop the city’s landmarks to cozy rooftop bars, there’s no shortage of spots to enjoy a meal or a glass of champagne with the tower in sight.

Some of the best views can be had from places like the Jules Verne restaurant on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower itself, Girafe Restaurant at Trocadero, or bars in the nearby area. Each offers a different atmosphere, from upscale to casual, but with the same mesmerizing backdrop.

Reservations are a must, especially if you’re aiming for the evening light show!

6. Bridges of Paris

Don’t underestimate the romantic allure of Paris’s bridges. Pont Neuf , the oldest bridge in Paris and albeit the most popular viewing point, is a top choice for seeing the lights of the Eiffel Tower.

Pont Alexandre III or Pont de Bir-Hakeim , for instance, offer strategic vantage points with less crowding.

They’re great for photographers looking for that perfect shot or anyone wanting to enjoy the sparkle away from the main throngs. A quick walk on these bridges during the light show feels like stepping into a living, breathing piece of art.

7. Paris Metro

Believe it or not, one of the most unique vantage points for watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle doesn’t require you to stand still.

Hop on the Paris Metro , specifically metro line 6, as it passes the Bir Hakeim station.

This route offers riders an unobstructed, moving view of the Iron Lady herself.

💡 Tip: The trick here is all in the timing: to catch the tower during its sparkling light show, you’ll want to time your metro ride so that you’re passing by at the beginning of the hour, during the first 5 minutes when the sparkle happens.

It’s a brief, but unforgettable moment that gives you a glimpse of the tower’s grandeur from a less conventional perspective.

Why is it unique? Well, aside from the fact that you’re catching this view in transit, it’s a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower’s lights and the cityscape without any barriers—just you, the Iron Lady, and the fleeting moment.

It’s a great way to see the beacon shine and the beams of light dance across the sky, especially if you’re on a tight schedule or just looking to add a little adventure to your metro commute.

8. The Arc de Triomphe

Another spectacular spot to view the Eiffel Tower’s nightly spectacle is from the top of the Arc de Triomphe .

Climbing to the top of this iconic monument offers a panoramic view of Paris, with the Eiffel Tower taking center stage. From this vantage point, you can see the tower from a distance, allowing for a full view of the light show from the beacon at the top of the tower to the golden covering that adorns the 1st and 2nd floors.

View from the top of the Arc de Triomphe

Watching the tower sparkle from the Arc de Triomphe is particularly special because it allows you to also take in the grandeur of the Champs-Élysées and the rest of the city’s lights.

The experience combines history, architecture, and the mesmerizing light show into one, making it a favorite spot for both first-time visitors and seasoned Parisians.

It’s a reminder of the city’s ability to blend the old with the new, from the history of the tower’s construction by French engineer Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 International Exposition, to the addition of the sparkling lights by Pierre Bideau for the new millennium.

The Arc de Triomphe itself, commemorating those who fought and died for France, adds a layer of depth to the experience, making it not just about the beauty of the lights but also the rich history and resilience of Paris.

Thanks for reading!

Whether it’s a regular Tuesday evening or the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, the tower’s lights are a sight to behold—just another reason Paris holds a special place in the hearts of those who visit.

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Eiffel Tower Lights To Turn Off Earlier Every Night Starting This Week — Here’s Why

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The Eiffel Tower, perhaps the most famous landmark in Paris, is well known for being illuminated at night. Indeed, its lighting system gives the tower a golden glow. It also seems to “twinkle” every hour at night in a display using 20,000 flashing lights.

Now, however, the Eiffel Tower’s lights will turn off earlier each evening.

Normally, the Eiffel Tower is illuminated until 1 a.m. every night. Instead, beginning September 23, the lights will be turned off after the last visitor leaves at 11:45 p.m., Mayor Anne Hidalgo, explains .

This measure is part of the City of Paris’s plan to save electricity while the energy crisis continues in Europe as a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Most of France’s energy typically comes from its own nuclear reactors, but half of those reactors are currently offline, forcing France to seek electricity from Germany — which itself is facing a gas shortage due to reduced supplies from Russia, according to Euronews .

In response, France’s President Emmanuel Macron has asked industry, households, and municipal authorities to reduce energy consumption by 10 percent in a move calculated to prevent the need for rationing electricity this winter.

Turning the Eiffel Tower’s lights off earlier each evening “is a highly symbolic gesture — part of the growing awareness around energy sobriety,” said Jean-François Martins, head of the tower’s management, according to Euronews .

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower, named after engineer and entrepreneur Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower, is located on the Champ de Mars in Paris — a large public greenspace on the left bank of the Seine River.

Construction of the Eiffel Tower began on January 26, 1887, and was finished on March 31, 1889. It finished just in time for the 1889 World’s Fair, which also marked the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.

The tower, which is 300 meters (984 feet) tall, has three levels. Its upper platform, 906 feet above the ground, is the highest observation deck open to visitors in the European Union.

Now, about those 20,000 light bulbs responsible for the nightly displays. They were installed in 1985 by 25 mountain climbers, according to Eiffel Tower management . The installation process took 5 months.

Other Energy-Saving Measures

It isn’t just the Eiffel Tower that is being affected by Paris’s energy-saving measures.

Parisian officials also plan to save energy by postponing when they begin to heat public buildings by a month, moving that date back from mid-October to mid-November.

What’s more, when the heat is turned on in all city buildings, thermostats will be set at a temperature 1 degree lower than normal during the day, changing from 19 to 18 degrees Celsius — 66 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit — during the workday. After hours and on weekends when the buildings are unoccupied, the temperature will be set at 12 degrees Celsius (53 degrees Fahrenheit), the City of Paris explains .

Also, the lighting on certain exterior facades and municipal monuments will be switched off at 10 p.m. beginning on September 23, including Hôtel de Ville and Paris’s city hall. However, public lighting such as street lights will be left on “to ensure the safety of Parisians,” the City of Paris explains.

Finally, Mayor Hidalgo also plans to ask France’s government to adjust the lighting schedule on national monuments in Paris, such as the domed Pantheon and the Arc de Triomphe, according to the Associated Press .

You can learn more about Paris’s plans to conserve energy here .

While you’re thinking about the City of Lights, be sure to visit all of our Paris content, including:

6 Tips For Beating The Crowds At The Eiffel Tower
The Best Of Paris: 9 Must-Have Experiences In The City Of Light
The Essential Guide To The 20 Arrondissements Of Paris

Jim Fulcher has been a writer and editor his entire career. In addition to writing, he also enjoys traveling--particularly in an RV. Over the course of numerous trips, Jim has driven an RV through West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. His favorite national park is Yellowstone, which he has visited three times.

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Eiffel Tower lights: when to see it sparkle? Here is the perfect timing

Genuine treasure in the city, the Eiffel Tower has been a Paris landmark since 1889, year of the World’s Fair during which it was inaugurated. Today, the Iron Lady has become a world-famous symbol of Paris . Every year, millions of visitors from all over the planet come and admire it with their own eyes and contemplate the fabulous panorama it provides on the City of Lights . Whether you stay on the ground or at the top of the 330 meters (1,082.68ft), the Eiffel Tower is highly fascinating.

The Eiffel Tower: Paris's most iconic monument The Eiffel Tower has established itself as the most emblematic monument in Paris. Since 1889, it has watched over Paris and its inhabitants, astonishing visitors and those who see it from afar. Want to find out more? Click here! [Read more]

At night, the show goes on. At dusk, the Iron Lady slowly puts on her lights to brighten the city with its iconic gold lights . And the night does not obscure its beauty; the Eiffel Tower can be admired whilst the Paris landscape all around changes. This is when the City of Lights rises. Before our eyes, the Iron Lady pulls another asset out of a hat! At some point, it brings even more magic to Paris nights by sparkling and shining. From the distance or close, this sparkling reminds us of the beauty of the capital.

Did you know? 4 uncommon little stories about the Eiffel Tower Symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is the charging monument the most visited in the world! But do you know absolutely everything about the Eiffel Tower? Today, we give you 4 uncommon little stories about this historic building. Here we go! [Read more]

Speaking of which, when can one see the Eiffel Tower sparkle ? For although we often see it at random, the sparkle of the Iron Lady is not random! Good news for all impatient people or those preparing a shoot, a proposal or any other surprise requiring a good timing .

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So, once the sunset has past, the Eiffel Tower sparkles at the beginning of every hour and for 5 minutes . It takes place until the gold lights are turned off. Usually, the Eiffel Tower goes off circa one in the morning. But, because of Paris energy sobriety plan , this hour has been pulled forward, to 11:45 p.m., starting from September 23, 2022. Note that once it goes dark, the Eiffel Tower usually sparkles one more time , without the gold lights, for 5 minutes , so you can guess its shiny silhouette in the dark night. The Iron Lady wishes you a good night its own way.

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Lights Shows

Light show hours.

How Long Does The Eiffel Tower Light Show Last?

The Eiffel Tower’s lighting system is activated by twilight sensors that detect when it’s getting dark, which is usually around 8 pm according to the season and climate conditions. What’s set and doesn’t change often is the time when the lights go out: at 1 am. During the summer the show lasts one more hour, between mid-June and early September, the lights are turned off by 2 am.

The system consists of 20,000 yellow and orange sodium light bulbs, that highlight the tower structure of the tower and its activated by sensors that detect when the sun is going down.

The light show takes place from 8 pm to 1 am, it goes up during the first five minutes of every hour, the night closes with the lengthiest display of lights which lasts 10 minutes. During summer, the light show runs until 2 am.

To appreciate the show in all its magnificence, cross the Seine river to the Trocadero Gardens. From the upper esplanade of the Palais de Chaillot, you get an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower light display. You can also get a proper sight from the Panoramic Observation Deck of the Montparnasse Tower.

The Eiffel Tower’s Fireworks and Lightshow

Since its construction in the 19th century, it has always been an aspiration to illuminate the tower in the most spectacular possible way. Fortunately, technology has evolved, from the first fireworks of its inauguration to the modern electric light with high-pressure sodium lamps, passing through neon gas tubes or incandescent bulbs that give it its distinctive shimmer.

It was in 1888, a year before the project was finished, that the tradition of launching fireworks from the second floor of the tower began to commemorate July 14, the French National Day. This tradition remains until today, being the epicenter of this celebration and other national and local festivities.

Another great occasion to enjoy the light show of the Eiffel Tower is New Year’s Eve. Although the surroundings of the tower are not usually a meeting place between Parisians to receive the year, a special lighting set is prepared for when the clock hits midnight.

It was precisely to celebrate the arrival of the new millennium on December 31, 1999, that two new light games were added to the tower: the sparkles and the lighthouse. The lighthouse of the Eiffel Tower is composed of two beams of light that reach a maximum range of 80 kilometers.

One curious thing you should know is that you can only take photographs of the Eiffel Tower with any purpose (even commercial ones) during the day. Why? The typical silhouette of the tower cutting over the Parisian skyline or specific images of the structure are not subject to the payment of rights of any kind since the author of the tower, Gustave Eiffel, died in 1923 and his design is part of the public domain. In this case, the so-called panorama freedom applies.

However, the design and layout of the spectacular lighting, especially the flashes and the lighthouse of the tower, are more recent and copyrighted, the company that manages the greatest tourist attraction in Paris legally holds rights to its use before third parties, that includes video or photos. We bet you didn’t know that, did you?

Special Illumination

Get Eiffel Tower Tickets

The Eiffel Tower Light Show: A Complete Guide

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When is It?
How Long Does It Last?
Where's the Best Place to See It?
Can You Take Pictures?
About the Lights
Special Illuminations in History

Eiffel Tower

Every year, some 7 million people visit the Eiffel Tower, making it the world's most popular monument operating as a paid tourist attraction. Whether you ride up in the elevator, climb the stairs to the top, or just take in the behemoth from the ground, a visit to one of the world's most iconic structures is obligatory for all first-time visitors to Paris—or two visits, really. Once in the daytime and then again at night.

During the evening light show, the iron edifice burst into what appears as golden, effervescent sparkles for five minutes at a time, captivating every tourist and local within eyesight. It's truly a wonder to behold and a must-see nighttime attraction in Paris . Plus, since this view is better from outside of the Eiffel Tower, it's one of the best free things you can do in Paris .

When is the Light Show?

Every night from sundown to 1 a.m. at the beginning of each hour, the special illuminations burst into view on the horizon. This means that you have more options and earlier opportunities to see the show in the winter months than in the summer when the sun doesn't go down until after 9 p.m. (although the last show in summer is at 2 a.m. to give visitors one extra chance).

How Long Does the Light Show Last?

The display typically lasts a total of five minutes. The only exceptions is the finale at 2 a.m, which goes on for a hypnotic 10 minutes. It's also worth it to stay up for the last show of the night because the tower's usual orange-yellow lighting system is turned off. This offers an entirely different and considerably more dramatic display against the dark backdrop.

Where's the Best Place to See the Light Show?

On a clear night, you can take in the spectacle from numerous places in the city. Riverside views are favored by most tourists. Pretty much anywhere along the Seine River in central Paris between the Île de la Cité and the Pont d'Iéna offers good views of the sparkling iron structure.

Pont Neuf Bridge

The Pont Neuf Bridge (Metro: Pont Neuf) is a good place to perch at the beginning of the hour to rest your feet and enjoy the spectacle. From this perspective, you can fully appreciate the sweeping, lighthouse-like motions of the tower's beacon. The beacon sends out two powerful, crisscrossing light beams whose reach extends to about 80 kilometers, or just under 50 miles.

Place du Trocadéro

Many tourists head over to the Place du Trocadéro (Metro: Trocadéro) for much more dramatic, up-close impressions and photo ops of the tower in its scintillating nighttime persona.

If you're planning to roam around for an evening walk that might last two to three hours in total, why not start with a more distant vantage of the light show at 9 or 10 p.m. sharp, then head over to Trocadéro for a much closer view? Two shows can be better than one, especially when appreciated from different angles and perspectives.

Pont des Arts Bridge

The Pont des Arts Bridge is already one of the most famous places to cross the Seine thanks to the extensive view it offers of the Louvre, the riverfront, the Institut de France, and the Eiffel Tower soaring over them all. It isn't the closest bridge to the Eiffel Tower and you can definitely travel further downriver for a more up-close shot, but it is one of the most picturesque. The Eiffel Tower glittering over the landmarks of Paris makes for a romantic date night, as well as some unbeatable photography.

On a clear night, the distant tower glittering far off on the horizon can be a poetic sight from the artsy Montmarte neighborhood (Metro: Anvers). The real benefit? You can take in some of the finest panoramic views in Paris at the same time, seeing how some of the city's most recognizable places and monuments connect on the horizon. The downside? Since Montmarte isn't very close to the Eiffel Tower, the view may feel a bit distant.

Can You Take Pictures of the Eiffel Tower at Night?

Copyright laws in France protect the rights of an artist during their entire lifetime and for a number of years afterward. The Eiffel Tower itself became part of the public domain in 1993, so its likeness and design are free to photograph and use in any way—as long as it's daytime. The modern-day lighting system was first installed in 1985 and still falls under copyright protection in French law, so even something as benign as Instagramming your night shot of the illuminated Tower is technically illegal.

If the artist chose to, they could sue every single person posting pictures of the light show at the Eiffel Tower. In this case, the artist is the organization Sociéte d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel and—unsurprisingly—no one has been brought to court over the matter. Even though you're probably safe posting to your Facebook friends, you should probably ask for permission if you're using your photos for commercial purposes.

About the Eiffel Tower Lights

The Eiffel Tower's usual illuminations—the orange glow it has at night—are the brainchild of Pierre Bideau, a French engineer who developed the contemporary luminous system in 1985. His new system was inaugurated on December 31 of that year. Bideau produced a warm, intensely vibrant effect by placing orange-yellow sodium lamps onto 336 large projectors.

The special projectors allow the Tower to be lit from within its structure: beams of light shoot upward from the bottom of the tower and radiate out, meaning that at all times of darkness, the Tower can be easily seen, even from as far as northeastern Paris and Montmartre.

As for the hourly "light show" effects, which made their first appearance in 1999 to bring in the new millennium, they're the product of an astounding 20,000 lightbulbs. Each side of the tower has 5,000 of these special bulbs superimposed over the general lighting system, allowing for a magnificent, 360-degree sparkling effect. It was originally intended to be a temporary show to celebrate the new year, but in 2003 the government decided to make the light show a permanent feature.

Amazingly and despite their visual intensity, the "sparkler" lights consume very little energy. The city government invested in high-efficiency bulbs as part of its bid to reduce Paris' carbon footprint. In fact, the annual energy consumption of all the lights on the Eiffel Tower is about the same as one small studio apartment in Paris. Eco-conscious travelers need not worry about the spectacle being an energy guzzler.

Special Illuminations in Recent History

During special occasions—both joyous and somber—the Eiffel Tower changes up the usual golden glittery light show. Examples include holidays like Bastille Day in July or New Year's Eve , when the show is extra spectacular and accompanied by fireworks. Other annual traditions include adding a pink hue to the lights in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Some particularly memorable displays in recent history have included:

May 15–17, 2019: To celebrate its 130th anniversary, the Eiffel Tower produced a 12-minute laser show recapping its history and significance.
November 4, 2016: The Eiffel Tower lights turned vibrant green to celebrate the official implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement and hope for a more sustainable future.
June 13, 2016: In homage to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting, the Eiffel Tower turned every shade of the rainbow to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.
November 2015: Commemorating the more than 100 victims of the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, the Eiffel Tower was lit in red, blue, and white, the colors of the French tricolor flag.
October to December 2009: To mark the Tower's 120th anniversary, light shows were on display every night for two months. For one of these shows, the Eiffel was dressed in a variety of vibrant colors, from purple to red and blue, which progressively crept up and down the tower in arty, hypnotic patterns.
2008: The tower was emblazoned with blue and yellow lights to form the colors and motifs of the European flag, for the occasion of France assuming the presidency of the European Union.

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Eiffel Tower Light Show

Renowned as one of the best visual experiences in Paris, the Eiffel Tower Light Show is a must-see highlight during a night tour of the iconic city. The Tower, which attracts millions of visitors annually, lights up on all evenings for five minutes per hour until 1 AM. If you catch up to the Tower on special occasions like New Year’s Eve or Bastille Day, you will get to witness a stunning fireworks show beyond the glow of the lights. The Tower lights up in different colours to support or endorse important causes like Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With a beacon at the top that helps tourists find routes in the dark, the Eiffel Tower’s lights are much more than a simple aesthetic for Paris.

The first Light Show at Eiffel Tower was organised in 1889, with 10,000 gas lights and two huge projectors. The techniques have changed since then, with authorities installing 336 projectors on the ground that light up the Eiffel Tower today as well as limit energy consumption at the attraction. Plan your Paris itinerary to include at least one night with the Eiffel Tower Light Show, which is visible from most locations in the city and ranks among the top romantic activities in the City of Love. Book Eiffel Tower tickets and watch the light show or you can also take a Seine River cruise and enjoy the light show on a clear night.

The Eiffel Tower Illuminations in History

Eiffel Tower at night is like a lighted paradise. It has represented many occasions and festivals in the past.
In 2008, Eiffel Tower sparkled with blue and yellow lights representing the European flag for the occasion of France assuming the European Presidency.
Eiffel Tower's 120th anniversary witnessed the light show every night for two consecutive months. On one of these nights, the Eiffel tower lights were a combination of vibrant colors from purple to red and blue, which moved up and down the tower in arty and hypnotic patterns.
In November 2015, Eiffel Tower changed its color to the French tricolor flag in remembrance of the victims of the terrorist attack.
In November 2016, the Eiffel Tower sparkle turned green in the hope of a sustainable future and to represent the new Paris Climate Agreement.
In support of the LGBTQ community and to pay homage to the victims of Orlando's nightclub shooting, the Eiffel Tower light show turned its colors to every shade of the rainbow.
Eiffel Tower light show celebrated the tower's 130th anniversary by producing a 12-minutes laser show recapping its history in May 2019.

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Everything You Need to Know About the Eiffel Tower at Night

The Eiffel Tower, often called the Iron Lady of France, is one of the seven wonders of the world. At night you would be able to witness it with a completely different look at the Eiffel Tower lights time. With the sunset, it gets lightened up, shines, sparkles, and can be seen from dozens of miles away.

The Light Show at the Eiffel Tower has lights that sparkles with its signature golden lights that became a famous attraction in December 1985, with 336 yellow-orange spotlights integrated into the steel structure. The lights highlight the Tower’s elegance and ensure safe operations for the night show. With nightfall sensors in place, the projectors start the show automatically every evening, with a five-minute display every hour until 1 AM. The golden lights overlap with the sparkling ones, creating a spellbinding effect on viewers across the city.

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Known as the Iron Lady of France, the Eiffel Tower ranks among the country’s most popular tourist attractions with millions of annual visitors. A viewing platform offering unique city sights during the day, the Tower transforms into a visual spectacle at night. Golden lights illuminate the structure every hour for five minutes until 1 AM. Easily spotted from most locations in Paris, the best visuals of the Eiffel Tower can be witnessed from the Seine River cruises or the riverbank. The lights change colours on special occasions like New Year’s Eve and important events like the Paris Climate Agreement. On some occasions, the Light Show is also accompanied by celebratory fireworks.

You Should Also Check: Eiffel Tower History

Experience the Light Show of Eiffel Tower at Night

Visiting the attraction at the time of the Eiffel Tower Light Show is a once-in-a-lifetime experience every visitor in Paris needs. Indulge in the unforgettable magic of the show as you climb the stairs amidst the sparkling lights. The view from the top is even more spectacular as you get to admire Paris in its illuminated glory at night from one of the city’s highest vantage points. And if you manage to plan your experience on special occasions like festivals, enjoy a breathtaking fireworks show with your loved ones at the Eiffel Tower as the structure lights up for the evenings.

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Popular Light Show Events

The 130th Anniversary Light Shows of The Eiffel Tower

The 2019 lightshow Eiffel Tower was an exceptionally designed event to celebrate 130 years of its opening to the public. The Eiffel tower offered three consecutive evenings for the Parisian audience a truly unique light all across the state. It also represented a 12-minutes laser show recapitulating its history and significance.

Checkout More: Eiffel Tower Sunset

A Very Special Light Show for Nuit Blanche 2018

On October 7 and 8, 2018, an original light show organized by ZEVS brought the Eiffel Tower to life for the Ville de Paris’ Nuit Blanche 2018. “Eiffel Phoenix: the obscure clarity that falls from the stars" was the name of the show. From midnight to 7 AM, people could see the lights fall one by one in the reverse order in which the engineers built it.

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Every year on July 14, the annual celebrations of “Bastille Day” for Parisians, those living in le-de-France, and visitors to the City of Lights take place with a display of Eiffel Tower fireworks. The fireworks began at 11 PM, and a French TV channel named France Television broadcasted the entire event.

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Best Deals for Eiffel Tower Tickets

FAQs For Eiffel Tower Light Show

What is the eiffel tower light show.

The Eiffel Tower light show is a mesmerizing display of sparkling lights that illuminates the iconic Parisian landmark. It occurs every evening after sunset, typically starting at the top of the hour and lasts for about 5-10 minutes.

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When does the light show take place?

The Eiffel Tower light show takes place every evening, all year round. The exact timing of the light show may vary depending on the season and daylight hours. Typically, the lights come on at sunset and continue until the late evening.

How long does the light show last?

The Eiffel Tower light show usually lasts for about 5-10 minutes, and it's repeated at the top of every hour after dark until the tower closes.

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What is the best time to arrive to watch the light show?

The light show starts at the top of every hour after dark, so it's a good idea to arrive a bit earlier to secure a good spot, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Can I see different light shows on different days?

The light show's general pattern remains the same, with sparkling lights running for a few minutes every hour. However, on special occasions or certain events, there might be variations in the light show theme or duration.

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Where can I see the light show on the Eiffel Tower?

The Eiffel Tower Light Show is visible from most locations across Paris. However, some of the most sought-after locations include the stairs of the Tower, Tower grounds, the Place du Trocadero, Seine River Cruises, Champ de Mars, Pont Alexandre III, Arc de Triomphe, the 16th arrondissement, Palais Galiera, and Pont e Bir-Hakeim.

Is there an admission fee to watch the Eiffel Tower Light Show?

No, there is no separate admission fee to watch the Eiffel Tower Light Show. If you wish to witness the show from the grounds or the riverbank, it is free of cost. However, if you choose to climb up the Tower or admire the visuals from different locations like Arc de Triomphe or Seine River Cruises, you would have to purchase tickets to the attractions.

Can you see the Eiffel Tower Light Show from anywhere in Paris?

Yes, the Light Show at the Eiffel Tower is visible from most locations in Paris. The views are, however, distorted or disrupted due to traffic or buildings obstructing the Tower. It is recommended that you choose a location high enough and close to the Tower or choose the Tower grounds and the riverbank for the best experience.

Can you take photos or videos during the Eiffel Tower Light Show?

Yes, you are permitted to click photographs and record videos of the Eiffel Tower Light Show and share them on social media. However, due to copyright protection rules and safeguards, professional use of images of the Light Show requires prior permission from authorities and you may also be required to pay a fee.

What is the best vantage point to view the Eiffel Tower Light Show?

Some of the best vantage points to witness the Light Show at the Eiffel Tower include the Tower grounds, the Seine River Cruises, the riverbank, the Place du Trocadero, the relatively unknown Port e Bir-Hakeim, the heritage attractions of Champ de Mars and Arc de Triomphe, and the iconic Pont Alexandre III.

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A brief history of the Tower’s lighting

Thursday 23 April 2020

Modified the 23/09/22

When the Tower was inaugurated in 1889, gas was the only available option for lighting as it was several years before electricity developed. Ten thousand gaslights were installed to accentuate the Tower’s forms. At night, it was lit up from the ground with spotlights. A beacon was installed at the summit, encircled by a glass rotunda and covered with a small dome. Finally, two mobile electric spotlights were mounted on rails and these spotlights could be moved all the way around the upper level of the third floor, around Eiffel’s office.

Electricity arrives in 1900

Advancements in the science of electricity allowed for the systems to be modernized starting in 1900. Electric bulbs replaced the gaslights to emphasize the lines of the Tower’s frame. For the 1925 World’s Fair, André Citroën was privileged to see his name on three sides of the Tower in giant, luminous letters thanks to the talent of Fernando Jacopozzi. These letters continued to light up the Tower until 1936, with a clock erected in the E of Citroën in 1933.

The 1937 World’s Fair inspired another project, the brainchild of architect André Granet, who was married to one of Gustave Eiffel’s granddaughters. It concentrated the lights on the Tower’s internal structure, under the first floor and between the four pillars. Fluorescent tubes drew a pattern of... lace! Thirty spotlights lit up the Tower from the exterior. These were replaced in 1958 by 1,290 small lights positioned all around the Tower in little trenches.

A new, spectacular illumination in 1985

The major innovation in the Tower’s lighting occurred in 1985, when, as part of the restoration campaign, 336 sodium-vapor lights were installed inside its structure. Designed by lighting engineer Pierre Bideau, this system created a spectacular effect because the Tower itself became a source of light, like a jewel in its case, with a pretty yellowish-orange nuance.

Inaugurated on 31 December 1985, this is the lighting system we still see today. In 2004, the power of the spotlights was reduced from 1000 w to 600 w, but with better efficiency, which allows for a considerable economy of energy while maintaining the same beautiful effect.

A complement was added beginning on 1st January 2000, with 20,000 sparkling lights placed directly on the Tower’s structure by teams of mountain climbers. Intended as a temporary measure, these lights were taken down in 2001, and then put back up a year later. They sparkle for 10 minutes, then, to save electricity, for five minutes every hour on the hour until 1 am. In addition to the sparkles, the beacon on the summit was replaced by four spotlights that successively sweep a quarter of the horizon, thus giving the illusion of a beacon that turns around the summit.

As of 23 September 2022, the Eiffel Tower's lighting times will continue to change as part of the City of Paris' energy saving plan. The Eiffel Tower's lighting (golden lights and beacons) will be switched off earlier, at 11.45pm (instead of 1am) as soon as the Tower closes to the public. The sparkling lights will come on for the last time at 11pm.

The life of the Tower, punctuated by its illuminations

A number of illuminations and various temporary colors, provided by external installations, most often spotlights from the Pont d’Iena, have punctuated the life of the Tower to mark various events: in 2004, for the year of France in China, it was decked out in red; in 2006 it wore blue for Europe; in 2007, green for the rugby World Cup; in 2008, blue with stars for the French presidency of the European Union; in 2016 in green again for COP 21, and blue, white, and red to commemorate the terrorist attacks in Nice. It also puts on pink each year for the “Pink October” campaign to fight breast cancer. Its illumination, or the turning off of the lights as a form of mourning, has thus become a symbolic vector for messages to the widest audience.

The last major illumination dates from May 2019, with the exceptional light show designed by Bruno Sellier that was projected several nights in a row to celebrate the Eiffel Tower’s 130th anniversary.

Find out more on this page : the Eiffel Tower's illuminations

The history of an illuminated Tower

Bertrand Lemoine is an architect, engineer and historian. He was a research director at the CNRS and general manager of the Atelier International du Grand Paris. He is an internationally recognized specialist in the history and current events of architecture, construction, the city and heritage in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in Paris, Greater Paris and the Eiffel Tower. He is the author of forty-three books and several hundred articles on these subjects. He is currently a consultant on architectural, urban, digital and energy issues.

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How to Enjoy the Eiffel Tower Light Show? | Timings, Best View Points & More

The iron lady's illuminations.

Visiting the Eiffel Tower at night is an experience completely different from visiting the structure during the day. And an even more magical experience is catching sight of the Eiffel Tower post-sunset.

Every evening, the Eiffel Tower shines bright in a golden hue and sparkles for 5 minutes every hour on the hour, as its beacon shines over Paris. It truly is a sight to behold, making a night in Paris even more magical.

Why View the Eiffel Tower Light Show?

Mesmerizing view: Watching 20,000 light bulbs, carefully arranged across this 330-meter-high tower, sparkle in a synchronized manner is an experience you simply should not miss.
No planning needed: Save for the final show at 1 AM, when the tower sparkles for a few extra minutes, the light show only lasts for 5 minutes. With the tower in sight from almost anywhere in Paris, you can simply stop what you are doing (provided you are outdoors) and look up to enjoy the beautiful sight.
Copyrighted experience: It is illegal to capture images of the Eiffel Tower light show for professional purposes as it is copyrighted, which means it is very unlikely that you will get to experience the show in the same way as you would in real life.

When Does the Eiffel Tower Lights Go Up?

The Eiffel Tower is open from 9 AM. However, the Eiffel Tower lights and beacon go up only after sunset.

It all begins with the Eiffel Tower's golden light switching on within 10 minutes of it getting dark, automatically thanks to its light-sensitive twilight sensors. The structural lighting is taken care of with the help of 336 1kW high-pressure sodium lamps, with the help of a system that dates back to 1985. These lamps are changed every 4 years.

The beacon at the top of the Eiffel Tower also comes to life at dusk. The beacon is made of 4 marine-type projectors, each on one side of the tower. Each takes a turn to complete a 90° rotation, creating the illusion of a 360° rotating beam. If the skies are clear, the rays from the beacon can reach as far as 80 km.

The star of the show might be watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle. Every evening, after dusk, the tower in its golden hue is covered by sparkling lights for 5 minutes at the start of each hour. At 1 AM, the tower sparkles for the last time that night, and this time, the golden lighting and the beacon are switched off. This effect is created with the help of 20,000 6W bulbs that flash successively at a very fast rate.

How to Enjoy the Eiffel Tower Illumination?

While at the top of the Eiffel Tower , you might be able to enjoy some of the best views of Paris, you will need to climb down to get a full view of the Tower in its glory. And if you are trying to get a good look at the tower, the best time to go is post-sundown so you can enjoy the sight of the Eiffel Tower adorned in lights.

Since the Tower lights up automatically 10 minutes into the city turning dark, you enjoy the Eiffel Tower lit up in its golden hue at any time after dusk. However, the sight you want to catch is that of the Eiffel Tower sparkling.

The Eiffel Tower light show takes place on the hour, every hour from sundown till 1 AM, with the lights sparkling for a full 5 minutes. However, the best show of all is the final one at 1 AM.

Unlike the other shows when the sparkling lights are superimposed on the yellow structural lights of the tower, at 1 AM, the yellow lights and the beacon are shut off and you get to witness the white lights twinkling against the dark silhouette of the tower. Best part? This show lasts for a full ten minutes!

Where to Catch the Best Views of the Eiffel Tower Light Show?

You can head to the Trocadero, several rooftops in Paris, or find a spot along the banks of the Seine River to enjoy this sight. Make sure you get to your viewing location early enough to get a good spot.

Visit the Eiffel Tower at Night

Any time is a good time to visit the Eiffel Tower. However, it would be best to visit around sundown so that once you are done you can climb down and enjoy the sight of the Eiffel Tower illuminated.

Visiting the Eiffel Tower during the night hours is an experience in itself. You will be able to enjoy the unique experience of climbing the stairs and seeing the tower lit up from the inside. You could grab dinner at one of the many restaurants inside, so you can enjoy the view of Paris at night time while you enjoy a scrumptious meal. You could also go up to the summit, where you can enjoy a flute of champagne from the Champagne Bar as you look over the city of Paris decked with city light.

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How does the eiffel tower light up.

The monument’s illumination, both the structural lighting and sparkles as we know it today, was designed by electrician and lighting engineer Pierre Bideau. However, all three of the lighting systems work in extremely different ways.

Eiffel Tower Illumination

The structural lighting system of the tower consists of 336 projectors that have been fitted with high-pressure, yellow-orange sodium lamps. These lamps are directed from the bottom to the top and light up the Eiffel Tower from the inside. The new system allows for the tower structure to be highlighted while having the surrounding areas to be illuminated. The projectors turn on automatically with the help of sensors within 10 minutes of nightfall.

Prior to 1958, 1,290 projectors illuminated the structure from the outside and it was replaced by the current system in 1958. Until 2004, the tower used 1kW lamps, which were replaced by projectors with an electrical power of 600 watts. In 2019, the four 2000W projectors that were used to light up the antenna of the tower were replaced by LED variants. In 2020, the 28 projectors that illuminate the steps along the four pillars were replaced. As a result of these efforts, the lighting only accounts for 4% of the monument’s annual energy expenditure. The sodium lamps that are changed every 4 years by a team of SETE technicians, with the last replacement taking place in 2019.

Eiffel Tower Beacon

There is a beacon located at the summit of the Eiffel Tower. It was installed as soon as the tower was constructed in 1889. The lantern was placed on a platform supported by four semi-circular metal arches that were joined together at the top. The lantern sat on two levels, each of which was surrounded by a small balcony. You could access it using a spiral staircase, followed by a ladder, which was housed in a cylindrical glass cage. Above this, stood the lantern, topped by a dome. With the ability to reach 80 km on a clear evening, this was considered the most powerful beacon in the world.

As the summit underwent renovations, so did the beacon. In 1957, when the broadcasting mast was installed, the beacon was removed and replaced only in 1999. The design for the beacon took a new form this time around. Four motorized projectors that would work in perfect synchronization were installed on each side of the monument. Operated by micro-computers, the projectors take turns to complete a 90° rotation on opposite sides of the tower. Each projector covers a quarter of the horizon and then returns to its original position, in perfect unison giving the illusion of a rotating beacon. In 2017, the beacon was 6,000W xenon lamps.

Eiffel Tower Sparkles

The Eiffel Tower was fitted with 5,000 metal casings housing 20,000 xenon lamps. These lights have been overlaid on the golden light for 5 minutes at the beginning of each hour starting from dusk until 1 AM. Each of these lamps light up randomly, to create the sparkling effect, one that was inspired by how camera flashes appear.

Every year, a team of SETE technicians and rope-access specialists change 300 to 400 lamps. Going in the vein of energy efficiency, the lights have a low power of 6W and they consume only around 8800kWh/year, which accounts for only 0.4% of the monument’s annual energy consumption. Until 2008, the lights used to sparkle for 10 minutes and this was reduced to 5 minutes to reduce the energy consumed as well as extend the durability of the installation. However, at 1 AM, the structural lights and the beacon go off and the sparkling light goes on for 10 whole minutes.

Why Does the Eiffel Tower Light Up?

Apart from the obvious reasons of aesthetics, the Eiffel Tower lights up every day as part of helping with security as the Tower operates late at night. They also act as a source of light for nearby surrounding areas.

Is Taking Photos of the Eiffel Tower Light Show Illegal?

Photographing the Eiffel Tower at night is not illegal. Anyone can take photos and share them. However, this is not the case for professional photographers. As per the European Union Law, the copyright stays intact for 70 years after the death of the creator and hence, the tower's lighting and sparkling lights are still protected by copyright. Professionals need to request prior authorization from Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE) and may be subject to a fee.

Timeline of the Eiffel Tower Illumination

1889: The Eiffel Tower is inaugurated and 10,000 gas lamps are installed to accent the steeple and platforms. Two blue-white-red beacon light projectors were installed on the Tower.
1900: With the advent of electricity, 5,000 lamps are installed to spotlight the framework and decorative arches of the Tower.
1907: The second floor gains a six-meter tall clock that shows the time using illuminated numbers.
1925-1936: As part of an ad campaign for André Citroën, 250,000 colored lamps were used to spell out the name 'Citroën' across three sides of the Tower. This was to be visible from 30 kilometers away.
1933-1934: A 15-meter clock was installed on the E of the Citroën. It had light-beam minute hands to indicate the time.
1937: A chandelier made of 10 kilometers of fluorescent tubes was installed on the first floor for the Art and Technique Exhibition. This year also sees the addition of thirty naval spotlights that point to the air.
1958: 1,290 spotlights are installed on Champ de Mars to light up the Eiffel Tower from below.
1978: 30,000 lamps were installed for Christmas.
1985: The new lighting system featuring 336 yellow-orange sodium lamps, designed by Pierre Bideau, was put in place giving the Eiffel Tower a permanent golden hue.
1997: On 5 April, a countdown for 1,000 days to the new millennium is displayed on the facade.
2000: As part of the countdown to the year 2000, 20,000 sparkling lights and a new beacon were installed.
2001: The sparkling lights were taken down on 14 July 2001.
2003: The sparkling lights return to the Eiffel Tower on 21 June.

Detailed History of the Eiffel Tower Lights

Before Electricity

The Tower was installed with lights right from its inauguration in 1889. At the time, electricity was still a thing of the future and gas was the only option. Ten thousand gaslights inside opalescent glass globes were installed to light up the tower. At night, spotlights were used to illuminate the Tower from the ground. A beacon was installed at the top on a platform supported by four metal arches that joined at the top. The beacon was encircled by a glass rotunda topped by a small dome. Additionally, two mobile spotlights could be moved around Eiffel's office located on the upper level of the third floor, erected on rails.

Post Arrival of Electricity

With the advent of electricity in the 1990s, gaslights that adorned the Tower were replaced with electric bulbs. During the 1925 World Fair, the brand name Citroen was lit up on three sides of the facade using 250,000 multicolored lamps. They continued to light up the tower until 1936, with a clock erected in the E of Citroën in 1933. Andre Granet, one of Eiffel's grandson-in-law, was inspired during the 1937 World Fair, to light up the tower’s internal structure, under the first floor and between the four pillars. Thirty spotlights lit up the Tower from the exterior. In 1958, these lights were replaced by 1,290 small lights positioned all around the Tower.

Later Renovations

In 1985, when the tower went through a restoration campaign, the lighting system was also overhauled. Designed by lighting engineer Pierre Bideau, this system utilizes 336 sodium-vapor lights that were installed inside the structure, allowing the tower itself to become a source of light. This is the system that continues to exist today, albeit with some modifications. In 2004, the power of the spotlights was reduced from 10001 to 600W. On 1 January 2000, 20,000 sparkling lights were placed on the Tower’s structure. While they were taken down in 2001, they were back up a year later. While the lights originally sparkled for 10 minutes, this was reduced to five minutes every hour to save electricity. The beacon on the summit was replaced by the four spotlights that we can see today sweeping a quarter of the horizon giving the illusion of a beacon that turns around the summit.

Prominent Eiffel Tower Light Shows

Over the many decades, the Eiffel Tower has decked itself in lights of varied hues to mark important events in history. They have relied on external installations and spotlights from the Pont d’Iena for this. Here are some of the prominent special light shows that have been conducted over the years.

24- 29 January 2004: As a part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, the Eiffel Tower gets decked in red.
9 May 2006: The Eiffel Tower turns blue to mark the 20th anniversary of Europe Day.
7 September to 20 October 2007: The tower adorns the colors of rugby as France hosts the World Rugby Cup.
30 June to 31 December 2008: Celebrating France's Presidency of the European Union, the Eiffel Tower takes on the blue light with 12 yellow stars that represent the European flag.
22 October to 31 December 2009: Every evening a light show is held to mark 120 years of the tower.
28 May to 2 June 2013, and 15-16 June 2013: To mark the Nelson Mandela International Day, the Tower takes on the colors of South Africa.
30 September 2015: To mark the Paris Fashion Week 2015, every evening sees a light show on the theme, “Fashion loves Paris".
13 June 2016: Following the Orlando Nightclub shooting, the Eiffel Tower lights took on the colors of a rainbow flag.
June-July 2016: For each match of the 2016 European Football Championship that was held in France, the tower took on the colors of the country that received the maximum support on social media.
19 July 2016: Following the Nice truck attack, the tower paid tribute to the victims of the attack by taking on the colors of the French flag: blue, white, and red.
4 November 2016: Green lights mark the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement.
3 February 2017: The colors of the Olympic Games along with the inscription "Paris 2024" marks Paris’ successful bid to host the games.
28 September 2017: Eiffel Tower celebrates 300 million visitors.
15-17 May 2019: Bruno Seiller puts on a show to mark Eiffel Tower’s 130th anniversary
October : Each year, the Eiffel Tower takes on a hue of pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

As spectacular as these light shows are, in the event of a tragic incident, the Eiffel Tower turns off all its lights as a form of mourning, which is as powerful and poignant as seeing the lights dance on the tower.

Visitor Tips

If you want to combine visiting the tower along with seeing the light show, visit around sun-down. This way you can see the tower lit up from the inside and see the tower illuminated from the outside after your visit.
The best place to photograph the illuminations is from the fountains at the Trocadero, just on the other side of the river Seine from the Eiffel Tower.
The best time to see the Eiffel Tower lights is at 1 AM, without a doubt. Unlike the shows put up the rest of the day, at 1 AM, the yellow lights and the beacon are shut off and the white lights take on the centerstage for a full 10 minutes.
If there are any important events taking place during your visit to Paris, try to see the Eiffel Tower show around then, because the Tower celebrates it with a unique show.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Eiffel Tower Lights

A. The Eiffel Tower lights go up automatically within 10 minutes of nightfall and stay on till 1 AM. The sparkling lights are superimposed over the golden lights of the Tower for 5 minutes at the beginning of each hour until 1 AM.

A. The tower lights up for two reasons, one being the aesthetics. The second is illumination. The lights illuminate the nearby areas and help with the security of the late-night operation of the Tower.

A. The Eiffel Tower lights turn on automatically with the help of nightfall sensors.

A. While it may seem otherwise, the Eiffel Tower's illumination consumes very little energy. The Tower’s nightly golden glow only accounts for 4% of the monument’s annual energy expenses. In 2004, the Tower reduced the electrical consumption of its spotlights by 40%. The duration of the sparkling was reduced from 10 to 5 minutes an hour in 2008 to reduce the energy consumption as well. Today, the sparkling lights consume approximately 8800kWh/year, which represents 0.4% of the monument’s annual energy consumption.

A. It spotlights purely to illuminate the monuments of Paris. However, by 1947, the beacon came to be used for air navigation.

A. The beacon is made of four motorized projectors that send out two light beams that reach 80 kilometers with a rotation sweep of 90° in perfect sync so it looks like they pivot 360°.

A. The Eiffel Tower beacon has a range of 50 miles (80 kilometers).

A. Yes, you can visit the Tower at night as it open until midnight.

A. Go to the lower level of the second floor right before the hour strikes so you can enjoy a view of the sparkling lights covering the entire structure.

A. It is not illegal to photograph the Tower at night for personal purposes.

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From Ben Tucker Photography--an amazing shot!
Eiffel Tower Night Illuminated

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COMMENTS

Eiffel Tower at night, Illuminations & light show
When are the Eiffel Tower's lights turned off? As part of the City of Paris emergency energy saving plan launched in September 2022, the Eiffel Tower lights will now be switched off completely from 11.45pm (lights and beacon): the final sparkles will therefore take place at 11.00 pm. The exception is during the summer months, when the Eiffel Tower closes its doors at 12.45 am: this means ...
What time does the Eiffel Tower light up and sparkle?
As the lights are switched off at 11.45pm, they will sparkle for the last time at 11pm. Wrapped in its golden splendor, the Eiffel Tower's lighting is sublimated by this sparkling. Since the year 2000, the lights have sparkled on the hour for five minutes from nightfall until 1am (if night falls at 7.40pm, the lights sparkle first at 8pm).
Eiffel Tower to plunge into early darkness every night amid Europe's
The lights of the Eiffel Tower are turned off in memory of Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022 in Paris, France. The city announced plans to turn the lights off overnight this fall and winter ...
The Eiffel Tower Is Shutting Off Its Lights—And Here's Why It Matters
The Eiffel Tower is shutting off its lights, and by extension, the entire Paris skyline may soon be getting a little darker. Later this week, Paris city hall is expected to propose that the tower ...
Eiffel Tower to go dark earlier at night in response to energy crisis
The landmark will turn the lights off starting at 11:45 p.m., officials said. By Meredith Deliso. September 13, 2022, 6:12 PM ... The illumination of the Eiffel Tour will end at 11:45 p.m., ...
To Save Energy, the Eiffel Tower Dims Its Lights Early
However, from September 23 forward, the tower will go dark starting at 11:45 p.m., Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced on Twitter last week. The new lights-out plan aligns with the tower's ...
Eiffel Tower Lights to Turn Off Earlier to Lower Power Use
September 11, 2022 12:07 PM EDT. T he lights that make the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night will be turned off more than an hour earlier than usual to save energy. The Paris town hall is due to ...
Energy crisis to cast Eiffel Tower into early darkness
Last modified on Sun 11 Sep 2022 17.01 EDT. The Eiffel Tower, whose twinkling lights define the night-time Paris skyline, is to fall dark earlier because of the energy crisis. Paris city hall is ...
Eiffel Tower's lights will turn off early amid Europe energy crisis
Beginning on Sept. 21, the Eiffel Tower, which is usually illuminated in golden hues within less than 10 minutes of nightfall and has an hourly 5-minute show of dazzling sparkles until 1 a.m., will have its lights turned off beginning at 11:45 p.m., when visiting time has ended. The nightly golden illumination makes up about 4% of the monument ...
Lights To Go Off Earlier At The Eiffel Tower Starting Later ...
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced the monument will go dark at 11:45 p.m. daily, beginning Sept. 21. The top of the illuminated Eiffel Tower is pictured at night in Paris on March 8, 2021. The mayor of Paris announced Tuesday that lights on the Eiffel Tower will soon get turned off more than an hour earlier each day, as Europe scrambles to ...
The Eiffel Tower at Night: Where and When to See the Lights
Local tip: Try to plan your climb for during or just after sunset. You'll be able to see a beautiful Parisian sunset and see the lights come on over the city, and of course on the tower itself. The rest of the year the tower is open from 9:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. So if you're here during winter months, you can still climb it at night.
Eiffel Tower at night : photos, light show and glitter
Modified the 27/12/23. Dusk transforms the Eiffel Tower! In this article we offer you a unique immersion into everything related to the Eiffel Tower at nighttime: lighting, image rights, tour experience, and more. When the sun sets and darkness falls over Paris, the City of Lights awakens. And so does the Eiffel Tower! It switches on its lights.
When does the Eiffel Tower sparkle? Light Up Times & Info
The Eiffel Tower lights up every evening from sunset until 1 AM, with a sparkling light show occurring for the first 5 minutes of every hour after dusk. Every evening, as the sun bids adieu to the City of Lights, the tower embraces a golden covering that makes it shimmer from the base all the way to the very top of the tower.
Eiffel Tower Lights To Turn Off Earlier Every Night Starting This Week
Now, however, the Eiffel Tower's lights will turn off earlier each evening. Normally, the Eiffel Tower is illuminated until 1 a.m. every night. Instead, beginning September 23, the lights will be turned off after the last visitor leaves at 11:45 p.m., Mayor Anne Hidalgo, explains. This measure is part of the City of Paris's plan to save ...
Eiffel Tower lights: when to see it sparkle? Here is the perfect timing
So, once the sunset has past, the Eiffel Tower sparkles at the beginning of every hour and for 5 minutes. It takes place until the gold lights are turned off. Usually, the Eiffel Tower goes off ...
Eiffel Tower lights to be turned off early to save energy
The mayor of Paris has proposed switching off the lights of the Eiffel Tower early, as part of the city's energy-saving plan for the winter. The city of Paris is due to present its plan for ...
Illuminations : All News
Japonismes 2018: the Eiffel Tower meets the land of the rising sun. On 13 and 14 September, the Eiffel Tower will be the setting for a completely unique light show to celebrate the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and France. And on 14 September, visitors to the Tower can sample the famous Japanese "tea ceremony" on ...
The Eiffel Tower Light Shows
The light show takes place from 8 pm to 1 am, it goes up during the first five minutes of every hour, the night closes with the lengthiest display of lights which lasts 10 minutes. During summer, the light show runs until 2 am. To appreciate the show in all its magnificence, cross the Seine river to the Trocadero Gardens.
The Eiffel Tower Light Show: A Complete Guide
About the Eiffel Tower Lights. The Eiffel Tower's usual illuminations—the orange glow it has at night—are the brainchild of Pierre Bideau, a French engineer who developed the contemporary luminous system in 1985. His new system was inaugurated on December 31 of that year. Bideau produced a warm, intensely vibrant effect by placing orange ...
Eiffel Tower Light Show
Eiffel Tower light show celebrated the tower's 130th anniversary by producing a 12-minutes laser show recapping its history in May 2019. ... 28 % off. 150.45. Book Now. Paris. Eiffel Tower Tour with Seine River Cruise. 4.33. 73+ Reviews. 13,200. 18 % off. 10,835.18. Book Now. Paris. Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris Tickets.
Eiffel Tower Lights to Turn Off Earlier to Lower Power Use
The lights that make the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night will be turned off more than an hour earlier than usual to save energy. The Paris town hall is due to announce Tuesday that the lighting of ...
A brief history of the Tower's lighting
As of 23 September 2022, the Eiffel Tower's lighting times will continue to change as part of the City of Paris' energy saving plan. The Eiffel Tower's lighting (golden lights and beacons) will be switched off earlier, at 11.45pm (instead of 1am) as soon as the Tower closes to the public. The sparkling lights will come on for the last time at 11pm.
Eiffel Tower Light Show
The Eiffel Tower light show takes place on the hour, every hour from sundown till 1 AM, with the lights sparkling for a full 5 minutes. However, the best show of all is the final one at 1 AM. Unlike the other shows when the sparkling lights are superimposed on the yellow structural lights of the tower, at 1 AM, the yellow lights and the beacon ...
Snoop Doog's Granddaughter Teaches Him French Before Summer ...
Snoop Dogg learns some key French phrases from his granddaughter Cordoba in a cute promo video for his upcoming Summer Olympics hosting gig.