Paris at night is magical, but the Eiffel Tower takes it to another level! As the sun dips below the horizon, the iconic tower transforms into a golden masterpiece, sparkling with thousands of lights. This mesmerizing display is a must-see for any visitor to the City of Lights.
🌄 When Do the Lights Turn On?
You’ll be thrilled to know that the Eiffel Tower’s lights come on every evening as darkness descends. The golden lighting system is activated using sensors, so it only takes a few minutes after sunset. The beacon, located at the very top of the tower, starts rotating at the same time. This beacon, along with the golden lighting, gives the tower a warm, inviting glow.
But the show isn’t over yet! Every hour, starting at nightfall, the tower starts to sparkle. For five magical minutes, thousands of tiny lights flicker and shine across the tower’s surface. It’s a dazzling spectacle that’s guaranteed to leave you breathless.
For example, if sunset is at 8:35 PM, the lights will turn on around 8:40 PM, and the first sparkles will begin at 9:00 PM.
🕛 When Do the Lights Turn Off?
The Eiffel Tower’s lights switch off completely at 11:45 PM when the tower closes for the night. This means that the last sparkles will occur at 11:00 PM. However, during the summer months and holiday periods, the tower stays open later, until 12:45 AM. This means you’ll have the chance to witness the sparkles until 1:00 AM. Even though the golden lighting and beacon turn off at 1:00 AM, the sparkles continue for a few more minutes. Don’t miss this incredible sight!
🌃 Where to See the Best Views
For the ultimate Eiffel Tower experience, visit the tower in the evening! Take a stroll up the stairs or enjoy a lift ride to the top. The golden glow will envelop you, and the sparkles from the second floor will leave you in awe.
If you’re not visiting the tower itself, don’t worry! There are plenty of fantastic viewpoints in Paris where you can enjoy the spectacle. The Trocadéro esplanade and Champ de Mars are both iconic spots to witness the tower lighting up.
✨ The Science Behind the Spectacle
The Eiffel Tower’s lights are a true engineering feat. The golden lighting system, designed by Pierre Bideau in 1985, consists of 336 spotlights. These spotlights use yellow-orange high-pressure sodium bulbs, which illuminate the tower from the inside.
These lights have been lauded worldwide, inspiring other cities to adopt similar nighttime lighting strategies. Not only do these lights enhance the tower’s beauty, they also play an important role in safety.
🔦 The Beacon and Sparkles
In 1999, the world was introduced to the Eiffel Tower’s beacon and sparkles. The beacon, visible for miles, is made up of four motorized floodlights. These lights, powered by xenon bulbs, rotate in unison to create a cross-shaped double beam. The beacon, a symbol of guidance and hope, is a reminder of Gustav Eiffel’s vision for this iconic tower.
And then, there are the sparkles, which are just as magical. 20,000 low-power bulbs are scattered across the tower’s four sides. These bulbs flash on and off in a random pattern, creating a mesmerizing display of twinkling lights. It’s a stunning sight that’s sure to captivate anyone who sees it.
So, next time you’re in Paris, be sure to catch the Eiffel Tower’s nighttime lights! It’s an unforgettable experience that will leave you with lasting memories.
