These regulations, drawn up by the company entrusted with operating the Eiffel Tower (SETE) on behalf of the City of Paris, the owner of the monument, apply to visitors to the Eiffel Tower and to clients of the restaurants, to people and organisations authorised to use certain areas for meetings, receptions or various ceremonies, as well as to any person not belonging to the company who is present on the monument for professional reasons.

I/ ACCESS TO THE MONUMENT

Article 1:
The Eiffel Tower is open every day from 9.30 a.m. to 11.45 p.m. (from 9 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. during the summer months). The last entrance tickets are sold 45 minutes before the monument closes.
The last ascent to the top of the tower departs at 10.30 p.m. (11.00 during the summer), except where the tower is closed early because of large numbers of visitors.
Measures for clearing the floors begin between 30 and 45 minutes before closing.
These times may be changed without prior notice by the management, in particular because of unusual occurrences, unfavourable weather conditions, large numbers of visitors or an event of force majeure.

Article 2:
Entrance to and movement around the monument during hours when the latter is open to the public are subject to the visitor holding an access pass: a valid ascent ticket or badge issued by the operator.

Article 3:
The type of ticket purchased determines the conditions for access to the monument: either using the lift to the 1st, 2nd and/or 3rd floors (the top), or via the stairs to the 1st and 2nd floors.
All tickets are valid for a single entrance only.
Any exit is final (no return to the monument).

Article 4:
The direction of the tour: where several floors are visited, the tour will begin on the highest floor.
People holding tickets for the top floor will change lifts on the 2nd floor.

Article 5:
If for a reason of force majeure, security or safety, the management are forced to partially restrict access to the monument, the operating company will only reimburse the value of the ticket for the area that is not accessible as a result of this restriction.

II/ THE ISSUE AND VALIDITY OF TICKETS

Article 6:
The tickets sold at the monument’s ticket offices are for immediate entrance. The date and time of issue appear on the ticket: this is used to authorise access to the monument.
A ticket is only valid with the two control vouchers attached to it.

Article 7:
The prices are given in euros including VAT, and tickets may only be purchased in euros.

Article 8:
The applicable price is that in force on the date on which a ticket is purchased, it is displayed at the monument’s ticket offices.
In order to benefit from certain discounts or reduced rates, you may be asked to produce your proof of entitlement at the ticket office.

Article 9:
Payment for one or more tickets may be made in cash, by debit/credit card, cheque, Euro-cheque or holiday voucher.
A receipt can be issued on request from the ticket office when payment is made.

Article 10:
A ticket is only valid for the period or possibly the time shown on the latter. It may not be re-used, re-sold, refunded or exchanged.
In this regard, the operating company reserves the right to refuse access to the monument to anyone holding a ticket acquired in an illegal manner: any such tickets will be confiscated and no refund given.

Article 11:
No refunds will be given for tickets that are lost or stolen.

Article 12:
The holder of a ticket may not make a claim or demand compensation in the case of an event of force majeure or act of God, which lies beyond the control of the operating company and which may disrupt normal operation of the monument and result in it being completely closed to the public, where necessary. In this case, the company’s liability is contractually limited to simply refunding un-used tickets.

III/ REGULATIONS RELATING TO GROUPS (access by lift)

A group is deemed to be a party of at least 20 people (or 10 during the low season) led by a guide or a courier (known here as the group leader) visiting a floor at the same time.

Article 13:
Priority access is only available to those who reserve in advance.

Article 14:
Information concerning reservations, payment and ticket pick-up, as well as priority access to the monument is fully detailed in Regulations & Conditions found in the online reservations

Article 15:
The direction of the tour: where several floors are visited, the tour will begin on the highest floor.
Groups holding tickets for the 3rd floor will change lifts on the 2nd floor and will proceed to the upper platform on the 2nd floor to access the lifts for the top floor (a single line for all visitors).
Groups will be able to visit the other floors when they descend.

Note, given the high level of visitors at weekends and during the high season, or at certain times of day, the whole group may not be able to take the same lift (there is no line reserved for groups when descending).
Use of the stairs when descending between the 2nd, 1st floors and the ground is strongly recommended in order to avoid waiting for the lifts (depending on the opening times for the stairs, as they appear on the information boards and documents).

Article 16:
Should you have a reservation for the restaurant on the 1st floor, or be taking part in an event being held in the salle Gustave Eiffel, access to the lifts is gained via the line reserved for the restaurant and the salle Gustave Eiffel.
Possible visits to the upper floors of the Eiffel Tower should in principle be made before your meal or cocktail party, in order to stop at the 1st floor when descending.

IV / ACCESS RESTRICTIONS AND THE BEHAVIOUR OF VISITORS

Article 17:
Access to and movement throughout the area of the Eiffel Tower, which is open to the public, is also governed by the regulations of articles 18 to 23 below.
Personnel employed by the company entrusted with operating the Eiffel Tower are authorised to refuse access or to remove any visitor who fails to adhere to these regulations, without compensation.

Article 18:
Visitors are prohibited from carrying into public areas items whose intended use or characteristics present a danger to the safety or security of people, systems or the monument, and in particular:

• Weapons and munitions
• Explosive, flammable or volatile substances
• Offensive weapons likely to represent a dangerous threat to the safety and security of the public and personnel
• Tools (in particular cutters, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.)
• All objects that are excessively heavy, bulky or noxious
• Over-sized packages or bags (at the discretion of officials carrying out a check at the entrance to the monument)
• Children’s pushchairs that cannot be folded up
• Animals, with the exception of those accompanying people who are certified as handicapped.
• Glass drinking vessels and bottles, drinks cans
• An excessive quantity of food or drink (at the discretion of officials at the entrances)

Please note that the Eiffel Tower does not have either left-luggage facilities or a cloakroom

Article 19:
Visitors are expected to behave appropriately, both towards Eiffel Tower personnel and other visitors.
They are prohibited from:

• walking barefoot
• wearing clothing likely to cause a public order offence
• lying down on the benches
• demonstrating and using banners

Article 20:
On the ground and on the monument, visitors are prohibited from doing anything that may pose a threat to safety, security and normal visiting conditions, in particular:

• Crossing barriers and other equipment designed to contain the public
• Entering areas that are not open to the public (personnel areas, technical areas, closed staircases, etc.)
• Writing, drawing or graffiti-ing in any way
• Taking part in races, sliding, scuffles or climbing
• Using roller skates or scooters
• Impeding public circulation and blocking passages and entrances, in particular by sitting on the stairs
• Smoking, eating or drinking outside designated areas
• Dropping paper and rubbish, sticking chewing gum to the monument
• Spitting on the floor or over the balustrades
• Throwing any object over the balustrades, either intentionally or not
• Abandoning personnel effects, even for a moment
• Leaving children unsupervised
• Carrying a child on their shoulders
• Activating a fire alarm or safety equipment for no reason (fire extinguishers, standpipes, etc.)
• Staging campaigns
• Exercising any business, publicity, propaganda or recruitment activities

Article 21:
For safety reasons, the top floor cannot be accessed by people in wheelchairs and people with reduced mobility.
In addition, access to the top floor may result in feelings of vertigo and perceptual processing deficits, those who suffer from these problems are recommended not to ascend to the top floor.

Article 22:
People who need to be accompanied and children below the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Article 23:
The operating company may refuse access to the monument to anyone whose attitude, behaviour or clothing would be deemed likely to cause a problem within the monument or to spoil the visit.

V/ THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF PEOPLE AND POSSESSIONS

Article 24:
The Eiffel Tower being classified as a “public establishment” (ERP), the act of purchasing a ticket represents an acceptance by the holder of the safety and security regulations governing the edifice and the obligation to comply with any check that the monument’s authorised personnel may find it necessary to carry out for the purposes of safety and security.

Article 25:
Visitors must refrain from any action that is likely to threaten the safety and security of both people and their possessions.

Article 26:
For reasons of safety and security, visitors may be requested to open their bags and packages and to reveal or make known their content at the entrance or exit to the monument, or at any place on the site on the request of Eiffel Tower personnel and safety & security officials.

Article 27:
A refusal to adhere to the regulations imposed in terms of safety and security checks, nuisance and disruption to other visitors or damage to the monument and its facilities will result in the visitor being refused access to the moment or being removed immediately without compensation.

Article 28:
Abandoned objects that appear to present a danger to the safety or security of the monument may be destroyed immediately without warning, by the appropriate personnel.

Article 29
The whole of the Eiffel Tower site is monitored by closed-circuit video cameras and the images are recorded and kept for 30 days.
Pursuant to law 95-73 of 21st January 1995, anyone who wishes to may obtain access to recordings involving them, under the conditions set out in law.

Article 30:
Visitors are required to inform Eiffel Tower personnel of any accident or illness as well as any abnormal occurrence, or the presence of an object or bag left unattended.
Should a doctor, nurse or first-aider provide assistance as a visitor, he/she must show his/her professional identity to Eiffel Tower personnel and remain with the ill or injured person until the latter has been removed, he/she is requested to leave his/her name and address with site personnel.

Article 31:
Should a fire occur, visitors should remain calm.
They are requested to report the incident immediately:
- verbally to a guide or member of Eiffel Tower personnel on the site.
- by activating one of the alarm system boxes that are located around the monument and which are connected to the central fire post.

If complete or partial evacuation of the structure is necessary, this should be carried out in an orderly and disciplined manner under the leadership of Eiffel Tower personnel, in accordance with the instructions given.

Article 32:
Pursuant to article 223-6 of penal code (a failure to assist a person in danger), everyone is obliged to provide assistance to Eiffel Tower personnel where the support of visitors is required.

Article 33:
In the event of an excessive number of visitors, problems, strikes and any other situation that may compromise the safety or security of people and their possessions, the monument may be completely or partially closed at any time of the day, or the opening hours changed.

Article 34:
The company may not be held liable for:
- Theft (pick pocketing), loss or damage of any kind, during a visit
- A breakdown or discontinuation of lift services or technical equipment
- Access restrictions for certain areas or partial closure of the monument, as a result of a decision by the management of the company operating the monument or a decision of a government or public authority for reasons of safety, security, maintenance, large numbers of visitors or unfavourable weather conditions.

Article 35:
Any lost child should be taken to a member of Eiffel Tower personnel, who will take the child to the company’s reception area located in the North pillar, or to the police post located in the South pillar of the Eiffel Tower.

VI/ PHOTOGRAPHY, RECORDING, SURVEYS FOR PROFESSIONAL USE

Article 36:
In addition to the formal approval of the operating company, any professional audio and/or visual recording of the personnel and public requires the agreement of those involved. The Eiffel Tower may not be held liable with regard to third parties in the event that these regulations are breached.

Article 37:
Without prejudice to the stipulations of the previous article, professional photography, film-making and the recording of radio and television broadcasts are subject to special regulations.
They must form the subject of a prior request submitted in writing to the operating company.
Written authorisation must be shown during checks on the monument.

Article 38:
Any survey or opinion poll conducted among visitors must form the subject of a prior written authorisation from the management.

VI/ LOST AND FOUND ITEMS

Article 39:
Visitors are requested to check that no personal effects are left on the site.
Any loss or item left behind must be reported to the operating company’s reception located in the North pillar of the Eiffel Tower.
Items found on the Eiffel Tower are kept for a period of 15 days by the company’s reception (North pillar), during which time they may be claimed and collected by their owners.
After this period, found items that have not been claimed will be sent to the Lost and Found Department of the Préfecture de Police at 36 rue des Morillons, 75015 PARIS.
The operating company may not be held liable for items lost on the monument.
Perishable foodstuffs, items of no value or in a very poor condition (water damaged, dirty or smelly) are destroyed every evening after the Eiffel Tower has closed.

VII/ COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTES

Article 40:
All complaints relating to the conditions of a visit must be made on site to the management of the monument, in order for a solution to be found.
Should a complaint not be made, the visit will, by express agreement, be deemed to have taken place in satisfactory conditions.

Article 41:
Any protest or dispute will be heard solely by the Paris courts.
French law only is applicable.

The management of SETE,
North Pillar, Champ de Mars, 5 avenue Anatole France, 75007 PARIS
Tel: 01 44 11 23 23

Back to price information

All rights reserved - © SETE - 2008