On Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21, 2025, the Eiffel Tower is offering you a rare opportunity: to enter the machinery of the historic East Pillar elevator, accessible only on these days as part of the European Heritage Days.
The secrets of the Eiffel Tower’s elevators revealed
Every year, the Journées européennes du Patrimoine (European Heritage Days) bring their share of unusual discoveries. This September, we’re opening our doors to a place that’s usually inaccessible: the machinery of the Eiffel Tower’s historic elevator. A rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of one of the world’s most visited monuments.
For two days, Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21, 2025, small groups of visitors will have the chance to access the East Pillar of the Iron Lady for a unique immersion experience. Guided by a Tower technician, they will discover in detail the workings of this century-old hydraulic system, still in operation today. Designed at the end of the 19th century, modernized but still faithful to its original principles, this elevator is considered an engineering masterpiece, a testament to the visionary genius of Gustave Eiffel and his teams.
The 30-minute tour will take visitors behind the scenes of a mechanism that continues to fascinate engineers and enthusiasts alike. It will also be an opportunity to learn how the Tower is maintained on a daily basis, from the paint campaigns that preserve its emblematic color to the lighting systems that make it sparkle every evening.
This privilege, free of charge and subject to registration, is reserved for the Journées du Patrimoine. Places are limited to around 15 people per time slot, so you’ll need to register online when bookings open in September. Each tour also includes an ascent to the top of the Tower, extending the experience with a breathtaking view of the whole of Paris.
📍Location: Eiffel Tower
📆 Dates: September 20 and 21, 2025
💶 Price: free admission