Imagine gazing upon the iconic Eiffel Tower at night, its golden hues illuminating the Parisian skyline. The sight is truly enchanting, and every evening, the tower transforms into a shimmering spectacle.
This dazzling display is achieved through a combination of golden lighting, sparkles, and a powerful beacon. The golden lighting system illuminates the tower’s delicate metal framework, while the sparkles, a cascade of tiny lights, burst into life for five minutes at the start of each hour. And then there’s the beacon, a powerful beam of light that rotates across the sky, guiding travelers and symbolizing the tower’s enduring presence.
But when exactly does this captivating display begin?
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When Does the Magic Begin?
The tower’s lights are activated at nightfall when the sun dips below the horizon. The golden lighting system is activated using sensors, which take about ten minutes to fully illuminate the structure.
The beacon and the sparkles turn on simultaneously. So, if nightfall occurs at 8:35 pm, the tower will begin its nightly light show shortly after, with the first sparkles appearing at 9:00 pm.
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A Time for Wonder
This nightly spectacle is not limited to just one hour, it continues until the tower closes. But at 11:45 pm, the tower’s lights and beacon are switched off. So, the last set of sparkles takes place at 11:00 pm.
During the summer months and French holiday periods, the tower remains open later, closing at 12:45 am. During these extended hours, the sparkles continue until 1:00 am, even though the golden lighting and beacon are switched off.
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The Best View in Town
The Eiffel Tower is a sight to behold from anywhere in Paris, but for the ultimate experience, head to the second floor of the tower. Here, you can look up and witness the sparkling spire in all its glory. The tower is also accessible by stairs, and visitors can enjoy the magic of the lights while climbing to the top.
If you’re not visiting the tower itself, there are still plenty of places to enjoy the spectacle. The Trocadéro esplanade and Champ de Mars offer fantastic views of the tower, and the illuminated Eiffel Tower is a popular backdrop for photos.
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A Story of Illumination
The Eiffel Tower’s current lighting system was inaugurated on December 31, 1985, designed by lighting engineer Pierre Bideau. It features 336 spotlights fitted with yellow-orange high-pressure sodium bulbs. These lights were met with international acclaim, and they sparked a global movement to illuminate monuments at night.
This lighting system replaced the original 1,290 spotlights that lit the tower from the exterior. These new lights are strategically positioned to illuminate the tower’s delicate structure from within. They also play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of visitors at night.
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A Beacon of Innovation
On December 31, 1999, the world was introduced to the Eiffel Tower’s beacon and sparkles.
The beacon, composed of four motorized marine-style floodlights, sends out two beams of light with a range of 50 miles. These beams rotate 360 degrees, forming a cross shape in the sky. The beacon uses powerful xenon bulbs that are specifically designed for long life. It also features an advanced heating system to prevent overheating.
The sparkles were also designed by Pierre Bideau. They consist of 20,000 low-power bulbs strategically placed on the tower’s four sides. These bulbs turn on in random bursts, creating the magical effect of sparkling lights.
So, whether you’re visiting the Eiffel Tower or enjoying it from afar, take a moment to appreciate this dazzling display. It’s a testament to the beauty of engineering, and a reminder of the city’s vibrant spirit.
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