August 13, 2007
Success at the Eiffel Tower
On Monday, we got up early so that we could be in line at the Eiffel Tower when it opened. We ended getting in line about 10 minutes before the elevators started running. We only had to wait about 30 minutes to buy our tickets and then board the elevator. It was much easier than waiting in a two hour line in the afternoon.
Eiffel Tower (vertical panorama)
The elevator took us to the second level where we immediately got in line for the elevator to the third (top) level. The kids were thrilled that we were finally going to the top of the Eiffel tower.
At the topHere is a panorama along the Seine River.
The River Seine (panorama)We could see lots of Paris sights from the top.
Arc de Triomphe from the Eiffel Tower
This is what it is like to look straight down over the side.
Looking downAfter a while at the top, we descended to the second level. We wandered through the souvenir shops and walked around the tower looking at the sights.
This is what it looks like to look up from the second level.
Looking upA little later, we took the elevator down to the first level. There we ate sandwiches we bought from a little cafe. We went to the post office and mailed some postcards and watched a short film about stunts performed on the Eiffel tower.
We also saw some exhibits about the history and facts of the Eiffel tower. One showed how the Eiffel tower bends slightly away from the sun as the sun heats one side more than another.
Just the boysFrom the first level, we looked down in the center to see the lines which had since gotten a lot longer.
Ohhh! The linesAt about 2 pm, we finally descended to ground level.
Brooke and Tyler with Mr. Eiffel
Just the girlsWe let the kids play at a nearby playground, then went grocery shopping and headed home for an early dinner.