When Does the Eiffel Tower Sparkle? A Quick Guide

So many people dream about seeing the Eiffel Tower in Paris in person, and I can’t blame them. It’s special enough on its own, but when the night falls and the Iron Lady starts to sparkle, it really is a next level experience. I’ve been lucky enough to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle several times, even once from my hotel bathroom window. There’s nothing like catching that moment unexpectedly, watching the tower light up while Paris hums below.

This is something you’ll want on your Paris itinerary, as you’ll get to soak up Paris in her totality. The moment it starts to sparkle, it’ll silence even the most talkative, bring people to tears, and give so many a deep sense of gratitude for being able to witness such an iconic moment. It might sound a bit dramatic, but from a Paris lover, it’s spot-on. If Paris is on your dream list, the Eiffel Tower light show will certainly be as well.

The Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour on the hour after sunset. Each light show lasts about 5 minutes, with the last sparkle being the most popular.

The sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower generally follow a clear schedule for most of the year, only changing slightly depending on when night falls. This helps you plan out your evening accurately so you don’t miss out on it. Whether you happen to be on a bridge, taking one of the river cruises, or on a blanket on the Champ de Mars, you’ll time it right and be able to admire the Eiffel Tower with thousands of others. It almost feels like a shared ritual, and people who live there say it never gets old.

During the Sparkle at Champ de Mars

Paris is one of these cities that doesn’t halfway do things. Despite the tower being an eye sore to many Parisians when it was first built, it’s become their beloved symbol of the city they love. As Parisians know how to find beauty and joie de vivre, they decided the Eiffel Tower needed a little more something, so on went the Eiffel Tower lights, and we get to enjoy them each hour, every night.

The tower was lit originally for celebration only, but now the event is one of the most recognizable light displays in the world. No matter where you are in the city, when the hour strikes, you can look in the direction of the tower and have a few moments of awe. It’s a collective experience, no matter how close or far you are from others watching.

Yes, the Eiffel Tower sparkles every night. Right after sunset you’ll sometimes look up and there she is, twinkling like the star she is. I’ve seen it in foggy and cloudy conditions, and still the lights are on. Naturally if they have scheduled inspections or maintenance, things could change. But generally speaking, the Eiffel Tower’s lights are on every night.

The exact time when the Eiffel Tower sparkles depends on the season because sunset varies greatly from one season to the next.

A general guide is:

Winter: Starts around 5:00-6:00 pm

Spring/Fall: Starts around 8:00-9:00 pm

Summer: Starts around 10:00-11:00 pm

From then on, it’s on the hour every hour. The tower is open late, so you can essentially plan to see it multiple times in one evening.

A View from the Eiffel Tower

There are several places you can choose to watch the beautiful twinkles of the Eiffel Tower. I’m not a great planner, but I have my favorite spots to watch. If you don’t get to go to Paris as often as I do, I highly recommend curating this time so you don’t miss out on this.

Trocadéro

Probably the most iconic viewpoints to watch from, you’ll get the postcard-perfect view of the Eiffel Tower. The Trocadéro is directly across the river, which gives some of the best views of Paris in general. It gets crowded, so arrive early for the sparkle if this is where you choose to watch. This is also a place where many people get photographed professionally.

Metro: Lines 6 & 9.

Champ De Mars

The Champ de Mars is a great watching place to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle because it’s so expansive. It’s very close to the tower as well. And you can basically stand under the tower while it’s lit up. It’s a really cool and magical experience, and I’ve watched it a few times from here.

Best for: close-up views and a relaxed picnic atmosphere.

Seine River Cruises

As you can imagine, floating on the Seine at night and watching the light show is something else. Picture yourself with your best friend, your partner, or even you on a solo date, champagne in hand, tears in eyes, watching the sparkles. Seeing it reflect on the water is just dreamy, and if you can swing it, this is a great way to experience this event.

This is one of the best ways to experience the Eiffel Tower light show without the crowds.

Pont Alexandre III

Pont Alexandre III is my favorite bridge in Paris. It’s opulent and gorgeous, and I cannot get enough of walking across it, back and forth from the left bank to the right bank and vice versa. My very favorite vantage point to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle is from a bridge, and this bridge would be the most magical. If you can time it, be on the bridge with camera ready, and snap yourself with the twinkles behind you.

Best for: romantic and slightly less crowded view. You could also go to another bridge, as there are so many.

Arc de Triomphe

Knocking out two attractions with one stone, you could climb up the Arc de Triomphe and watch from there. Not only will you see the tower, you’ll see a view of Paris most people don’t, and that’s a special experience. It’s a different perspective that could be worth it if it works in your schedule.

Best for: a unique skyline perspective of the Eiffel Tower lights.

Every Angle!

This isn’t something I’d stress over too much, as most of us have our phones and we can either video or photograph things rather easily. I’ll give you a few tips to make it a better outcome, though, and maybe you’ll even want to make your new piece of art your phone background or hang it on a wall in your house.

Arrive Early

If you’re looking to watch from a popular area like the Trocadéro or Champ de Mars, you’ll want to arrive early. They fill up quickly, and you’ll likely want a clear view of the tower, so getting there ahead of time is prudent.

Use a Tripod for Sharp Images

Having a steady camera is game changing in the world of photography. If you don’t want to carry a full-on tripod, you can buy a handheld one that will steady your hand. Many can screw onto an actual camera, or hold your phone.

Adjust for Low Light Settings

I’ve learned much over the years when taking photos with my “real” camera, and one of them is learning nighttime and daytime settings. Use a low ISO, slower shutter speed, and wider aperture to capture detail without too much grain. A tripod would help greatly here.

Shoot During the Sparkle, Not Just Before or After

The tower stays lit up  in between the sparkles, so while you can take photos of it lit up, the sparkle is the cherry on top. As I mentioned, it only happens for about 5 minutes and starts on the hour, so snap that photo when it’s actually sparkling.

Experiment with Video and Burst Mode

I’ve done the burst mode and it’s a nice way to get video of the tower sparkling. It’s fun to experiment, but if you don’t have multiple times to play around with it, you might just stick to a regular photo shoot.

Include Foreground Elements for Composition

Taking your photographs with bridges, the Seine, trees, or people in the foreground makes it a really beautiful display on camera. I love shooting from bridges, and the tower looks stunning in the background.

Avoid Overexposure from Golden Lights

This is a tiny tip, but if you underexpose your images, you’ll preserve the details in the tower’s lights. Not a big deal, just an asterisk!

From someone who visits Paris often and plans to spend even more time there, I know from my own self and my friends who live there full time, the sparkling Eiffel Tower never loses its awe. Whether you’ve seen it before and are returning to Paris or seeing it for the first time, this is something I would not miss.

Walk along the Seine, sip champagne on your river cruise, or sit on your toilet in your hotel bathroom. Whatever angle you can see the Eiffel Tower, it’s magical every time. I’ve seen it more times than I can count, and I still stop every single time. I know you’ll be just as stopped in your tracks when you witness it as well. Book your trip to Paris - she’s waiting for you.

If you’re mapping out your trip to Paris, here is my guide on what to see in Paris in 3 days, and my honest take on is it safe to travel alone in Paris. Both will help make the most of your time in the most spectacular city on earth. À bientôt!

For my favorite places to stay, check out my guide on where to stay as a solo traveler.

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