See the Eiffel Tower Sparkle

The Eiffel Tower is one of those places that actually lives up to the hype. Built in 1889 as a temporary exhibition piece, it's become the world's most recognizable landmark. But the real magic happens after dark.

Every hour on the hour after sunset, 20,000 lights shimmer across the tower for 5 minutes. The first time you see it sparkle, you'll understand why Paris is called the City of Light. Grab a bottle of wine, find a spot on the Champ de Mars grass, and enjoy the show.

During the day, you can climb the stairs or take the elevator to the viewing platforms. The second floor has the best balance of height and detail. The summit on a clear day offers views across all of Paris.

Pro tip: Skip the expensive restaurants in the tower and grab a picnic from a nearby boulangerie instead. The Trocadéro across the river has the best full-tower photo angles. The sparkle show runs until 1am (11:45pm being the last one).