Many tourists visit the area of the Eiffel Tower in night in order to see it lit up with strobe lights and enjoy the tower's nighttime ambiance. Another good reason to visit the tower late in the evening is at night is because their are smaller crowds and shorter lines which make the ascent more pleasant.
In case you were unaware, the entire Eiffel tower is cloaked in the warm glow of 336 light projectors and 20,000 sparkling strobe lights - see below video. From the tower's observation decks, you can enjoy cool evening breezes as you view floodlit bridges, churches, and other landmarks in the glittering Parisian light scape.
Planning your Nighttime Visit at the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is open until 11:45 p.m or 12:45 a.m., depending on the time of year. Entrance fees vary, depending on whether you're climbing the steps or taking the elevator.
Pickpocket activity on the way to the Eiffel Tower
For years, pickpockets, both professional and opportunists, have known that a great spot to target the pockets and handbags of tourists are the subway metro lines 1 and 4, but more importantly, the main stretch of pavement from the Champ-de-Mars-Bir Hakeim metro and RER station to the Eiffel Tower. This area is where most of the tourists will get on and off the metro, and will will walk to the tower. Travelers need to be extra careful at these locations. These specific locations were brought to the publics attention when an undercover police story broke about the arrest of numerous young girls who were all pickpockets. In December, Paris police arrested 19 people believed to be the ringleaders in a major pickpocketing operation on the Paris public transport network. These thieves targeted the metros and stops favored by tourists - as well as the walkway to the Eiffel Tower.
Authorities say the gang is responsible for about two thirds of thefts on the metro and has netted at least €1.3m. The Paris police judiciaire has been working with Spanish and Italian authorities for the past three years to track down the leaders, who recruited 100 young girls from eastern Europe. Investigators believe the girls were threatened with violence if they failed to reach their daily targets, typically between €300 and €1,000. This is a sad story, but one that all travelers need to be aware of. Many people make a living as pickpockets - both young and old, and in order for them to do so, someone - especially unknowing tourists will end up falling victim to these individuals. Lets hope that by reading these pages on how to identify pickpockets will give you enough insight so your trip to Paris will only be great memories of famous locations, great food, and interesting sights - not the lobby of a Paris police stations making a report for having your wallet stolen.
Pickpocket Activity at the Eiffel Tower
Many tourists come to the area of the Eiffel Tower at night fall victim to pickpockets. The strobes come on for about 10 minutes every hour which is when many people come to the area to see the lights. The pickpockets use a variety of distractions to target tourists at the Eiffel Tower such as asking for direction, asking the time, where the subway is in the area, as well as other common pickpocket distractions. Pickpockets have operated in and around the Eiffel Tower since it was first erected and anyone visiting the tower should take the same precautions to protect they valuables at this location as they would anywhere else.
Visitors should also be aware that the Eiffel Tower operating company has known about the pickpocket problem too - and even documents that they are not responsible for theft due to pickpocket activity when visiting the tower. If you look at this page on which is to the Eiffel Tower operating companies website, you will find the famous quote in Article 34 which states: "The company may not be held liable for theft (from pickpockets), loss or damage of any kind, during a visit." while this is normal for any business which is open to the public, having a quote that specifically makes reference to "pickpockets" is not, but should alert you to take additional precautions.
Pickpockets operate at a variety of locations at the Eiffel Tower. One of the most obvious indicators will be one of the numerous "beware of pickpocket" signs you will see at the base of the tower, right before you enter the Eiffel Tower elevators, within some of the elevators, as well as around the various observation decks.
Another area of pickpocket concern is the line that women have to wait in for the toilets at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Sometimes these lines are very long, and once you get farther down into the bathroom area, the size of the corridors becomes narrow. Many tourist have reported thefts at this location, as well as while using the restroom at this location. The above photo is of the pickpocket sign that is used to alert tourists to remain vigilant while using the Eiffel Tower restrooms.
Gold Ring Scam
Always be on the look out for the Gold Ring Scam at the Eiffel Tower, or anywhere in Europe for that matter - but it does seem to hit the most in Paris.
Honesty and Lost Rings in Paris
The scams works like this. You are walking in Paris when a man, woman, or child crosses your path and suddenly stops and bends over, picking up a shiny object on the sidewalk. Many tourists
think that the person is picking up a bottle cap of some other junk. That's when the scam begins. Here is a sample conversation that has been repeated to thousands of tourists every year:
"Excusez-moi, Monsieur. Vous avez laissé votre bague ici." He showed me a large gold wedding band. "What? No, it is not my ring, Monsieur." "Mais oui, c'est à vous." "Mais non. I have no ring." "Mais oui, it is your ring. Well, if it is not then give it to your woman. It will make her happy. It is a woman's ring." He hands me the ring. Indeed it is heavy. Apparently gold. "Um, no. It is not mine." "I cannot wear it. I am a man," he said. "Give it to your woman." He turned and walked away. "Well, OK. Merci, Monsieur." I turned and walked away. He turns again. "Ah, Monsieur. S'il vous plait. I am hungry. I don't have enough money for a baguette." "Um. OK. Take some change." Hmm. He is honest but only needs money for a baguette. I gave him a few coins from the change still in my hand. "No, that is not enough. Just a little more. I gave you the ring." "Well, OK, here is two euros but nothing more." And I walk away.
You have just fell victim to the "gold ring scam."
One of the apparently famous tourist scams in Paris is the "lost ring" scam. A stranger, an honest man bends over to pick up a "lost" ring and offers it to the mark. Negotiations follow and the mark gives money to the honest man. The honest man does not accept the valuable gold ring because it is not his, not the right size, against his religion, blah, blah. It turns out that the ring is brass and almost worthless. The honest man walks away with more than he paid for the ring and the mark walks away with a worthless ring, a few euros poorer.
Video of the Gold Ring Scam in Paris
The below video was shot by a family visiting Paris. Wait for a few seconds and you will see a young man stop in front of the boy, bend over, and pick up the "gold ring" and try the scam. This family was smart and moved on. But at least you have an idea of how innocent this scam looks when it happens.
Other Paris Tourist Scam
Dancing doll scam. You will find this on streets of Paris. It looks like these dolls magically dance, but don't be fooled.
You might want to consider anyone of the number of anti-theft pouches, travel bags, or security waist packs that are made specifically to combat pickpockets. They can be seen by visiting www.corporatetravelsafety.com
Our site contains over 100 pages of travel safety tips and security tips that are useful for any traveler. You will find tips involving luggage theft, avoiding pickpockets, laptop theft, hotel burglary, and airplane, train, automobile, and boat travel crimes.
