Things to do in the Eiffel Tower district

She needs no introduction. Shining her light on the river Seine and the Champ-de-Mars, the great Iron Lady of France has lost nothing of her original splendour. Built in 1889 for the Paris World Fair and the centenary of the French Revolution, the tour Eiffel still amazes us by its gigantic scale: 330 metres tall, 10,100 tonnes… Enough to make you dizzy. Do not miss this symbol of the History of France and the capital city.

Remember to book well ahead to visit the Eiffel Tower, to avoid the queues and get the most from your experience. The Eiffel Tower has 3 floors. The most courageous visitors take the steps up to the first 2 levels… Ready for the 674 steps challenge?

On the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, some 57 metres above the ground, take a seat at Madame Brasserie, a modern restaurant where you can sample the incomparable cuisine of chef Thierry Marx. The pleasant, refined decor of wood panelling and metal structures was created by designer Ramy Fischler and architect Nicolas Delon. An ethical choice of sustainable materials in keeping with the culinary approach taken by chef Marx, whose cuisine is here based on high-quality, seasonal ingredients produced in the Paris region and supplied by local farmers. Relish an exceptional dining experience and a stunning view over the city of Paris.

Or move upmarket and up to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower, to dine at the Jules Verne gourmet restaurant perched 115 metres above the ground. Be sure to book your table a few months ahead, because this Michelin-starred restaurant is in great demand. Nesting at a place that defies the rules of 19th-century architecture, symbolising the achievements and utopian dreams of its day, the Jules Verne could not have been more aptly named. It is a showcase for cuisine of excellence. Here, you’ll delight at the dishes prepared by triple-starred chef Frédéric Anton, one of the best of his generation, while admiring the dizzying view that unfurls before you. An outstanding experience that puts your head in the clouds.

Go back down to the bottom of the tower. If you fancy straying off the beaten track for your exploration of the Eiffel Tower district, there’s a more amusing and less conventional way: virtual reality. With Viality Tour, you can take a stroll through the Paris of the 1880s, when this monumental structure was being built. From the Ecole Militaire, you’ll cross the Champ-de-Mars to reach the Eiffel Tower. During this 360° immersive experience lasting over an hour, you’ll witness the different stages of construction of this architectural feat. A great experience to share with your family or friends.

Fancy a change of scenery? A stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower, this time in the 15th arrondissement, walk along the Seine for a journey to the land of the Rising Sun. With its beautiful façade of glass and steel, the Maison de la culture du Japon, which opened in 1997, is truly a gem of modern architecture. Japanese painting, decoration, design, dance, exhibitions and films… The fascinating events hosted here do credit to both past and present Japan. And if you’re into artistic expression, you can even sign up for a lesson in origami, calligraphy or floral art.

Your voyage continues at the musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, located between the Alma bridge and the Debilly footbridge. Between the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides, this magnificent, modern museum was built in 2006 under the supervision of Jean Nouvel and at the initiative of Jacques Chirac, who was then President of the French Republic. This world-famous multicultural venue boasts an outstanding collection of objects from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania.

The first thing that strikes you is the very sight of this modern glass-and-metal structure (a nod to the Eiffel Tower) with its warm colours and impressive vegetation. Indeed, the museum features a beautiful 18-hectare garden and some luxuriant plant walls.

Step inside this temple to ethnic civilisations to admire the 3,500 exhibits. The very design of this airy, open-space museum invites visitors to enjoy an unguided tour via the senses, for an original visual experience. Its fascinating collection and diversity of films, music, documents and workshops makes it the perfect museum for families. Hosting all sorts of concerts, dance shows and other performances, this museum is an iconic culture hotspot of the city of Paris.

Fancy sailing away? Drift down the Seine aboard one of the Vedettes de Paris boats, for a sightseeing cruise that offers a chance to admire the great monuments of Paris from an alternative angle. For over 40 years, the Vedettes de Paris vessels have offered picture postcard river trips that are perfect for a romantic moment or a family outing. And in the summer, you can admire the surroundings from the terrace on top of the boat. There are different routes and themes for these trips with commentary in three languages, so you’re bound to find just the right one for you!

A stone’s throw away, the Bateaux Parisiens also do lovely Seine cruises aboard their trimarans. Their modern multi-hull vessels allow you to admire the views without leaving your seat, but that doesn’t stop you making the most of the fresh air on deck if you want to.

And you can prolong your experience by booking a table at the Bistro Parisien. This floating bar and restaurant belonging to Bateaux Parisiens serves traditional, seasonal dishes that you can enjoy out on the panoramic deck or inside. All with a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero.

It’s now time to cross the river Seine into the 16th arrondissement and the Trocadero district, for a plunge into the underwater world! In the gardens near the Palais de Chaillot, the Aquarium de Paris is a delight for children and adults alike. You’ll gaze in awe at more than 500 species of fish and invertebrates that live in the aquarium’s 43 pools. The highlight? An enormous shark pool that holds over 3 million litres of water and 32 specimens of four different species… A fascinating experience!

This museum of humanity also stands on the Place du Trocadero. Built in 1937 for the World Fair, this giant of neoclassical architecture is home to the musée de l’Homme. The tour of its multidisciplinary exhibition combining anthropology, philosophy and biology invites you to retrace the history of mankind. It proposes a highly interactive tour for an enjoyable way to learn, through hands-on experiences and sound effects, as well as workshops, meetings and lectures organised throughout the year. You may even come across the palaeontologists and anthropologists in the middle of their research work, proof that there’s always something to get excited about at this museum. And if you get peckish, you can take advantage of the breathtaking views from the terrace of the Café de l’Homme. You’ll see, it’s well worth a visit.

Stay in the Palais de Chaillot and pop into the Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine, which occupies an entire wing of the monument. This urbanism and architecture museum takes you back a thousand years through the history of France’s built heritage studying it via an aesthetic and social dimension. On the ground floor, stop in the casts gallery to admire the incredible reproductions of iconic monuments, such as the cathedrals of Paris and the Arc de Triomphe. A rare opportunity to see them close up! Upstairs, the Cité de l’Architecture offers an overview of contemporary and modern architecture, from the famous Eiffel Tower to the works of Le Corbusier. This museum has plenty for the children too. Enquire at reception about the fun tours available to them.

To round off your visit, treat yourself to a gourmet break inside the museum, surrounded by the delicious 1930s decor of the restaurant Girafe. Huge mirrors, velvet upholstery and enormous green plants, all in an extravagant setting where you can enjoy a generous seafood platter.
And if you can’t get enough of the sight of the Eiffel Tower, admire the Iron Lady of Paris from the terrace while sipping a cocktail.