Short answer
The closest station to the Eiffel Tower is Bir‑Hakeim, on line 6: the monument shows less than a 10‑minute walk from this station to its entrance 1, allée des Refuzniks. If you arrive by RER, the station is Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel on RER C. And if you want to see the tower face‑on, arriving on the right bank, get off at Trocadéro, served by lines 6 and 9.
We are at 5 avenue Duquesne, in the 7th, on the same side of the Seine as Champ de Mars. Here’s what we tell the front desk, depending on what you really want: a photo, the ascent, or just a picnic under the tower.
Line 6, Bir‑Hakeim station: for the ascent
This is the station to remember if your ascent ticket is set for a specific time. Line 6 emerges in the open on the viaduct over the Seine, the tower appears through the window, then you walk up the platform to entrance 1. The monument indicates less than a 10‑minute walk for this route, giving you a margin if you have a timed slot.
Neighbour tip: security lines are at the monument entrance, not at the metro. Leave earlier than you calculate, especially late afternoon.
Trocadéro, lines 6 and 9: for the photo
Trocadéro is the station for those who want the picture rather than the lift. It is served by lines 6 and 9, on the right bank, facing the monument. You exit, see the tower in line, walk down to the Seine and cross the Pont d’Iéna to reach the foot of Champ de Mars. It’s the most theatrical approach and the most crowded: come early in the morning if you want a crowd‑free photo.
RER C, Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel station: for arriving from afar
RER C stops directly at Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel. This is the best option if you come from farther out on the line rather than central Paris, and it drops you at park level, quay side. If you arrive from Orly or Roissy, we have detailed elsewhere the routes we recommend to the 7th: drop your luggage with us first, then head light toward the tower.
Line 8, École Militaire: the Champ de Mars side, and ours
From our door we send almost everyone on foot. Champ de Mars is on our side of the 7th, and walking is better than a transfer. If you still prefer the metro, line 8 serves this side of the park with the École Militaire station. It’s also the one that brings you back to us at the end of the day, when the large lawn empties.
We will draw the exact path on a map when you arrive, using the streets we love rather than the shortest route.
Which station for which use
| What you want to do | Station | Line |
|---|---|---|
| Ascend the tower | Bir‑Hakeim | Line 6 |
| Photograph the tower front‑on | Trocadéro | Lines 6 and 9 |
| Arrive from afar, park side | Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel | RER C |
| Reach Champ de Mars, and us | École Militaire | Line 8 |
Our rooms, if you want the tower without leaving
Some of our rooms overlook the Eiffel Tower. The Double Room with View is a superior room with a queen bed and air‑conditioning; the Junior Suite with View is 28 m², with a sitting area and a workspace. These are the two categories to request if the view matters more to you than square meters, and they book quickly on autumn and spring weekends.
In the evening, our speakeasy‑style bar naturally extends the day: classic cocktails, chef’s cuisine, an intimate lounge rather than a large hall. It’s just a few steps from your room, which is not nothing after a climb up the tower.
Three mistakes we see often
The first: aiming for the closest‑as‑the‑crow‑flies station instead of the one that serves your entrance. The tower has several accesses, and Bir‑Hakeim is the one the monument itself associates with entrance 1.
The second: booking an ascent at sunset time without accounting for security checks. That is the most requested slot of the day.
The third: taking the metro for a journey that is better done on foot. In the 7th, distances are short and the streets are worth the detour. Ask us before getting off at a station.
And the rest of the day
The tower occupies a morning or an evening, rarely both. The rest of the time you’re in a museum and quay district: the Invalides and the Rodin Museum can be visited in the same morning, and the UNESCO‑listed Seine quays start at the end of the park. Our pages on these itineraries are written from the same door, avenue Duquesne.