Eiffel Tower Fear :-(?

Question

I am going to Paris next week and im really scared. I really want to go up the eiffel tower but i have a massive fear of heights. I have been there before but was too scared to go up!

I am going to the L'arc de triomphe before I go so will it help going up there first ?

Can anybody give me some useful hints to try and prevent me being so terrified :-( ?

Answer 1

I was just in Paris and also afraid to go up the tower, so I downed a bottle of cheap Paris wine... it worked, and now I killer  photos :)

Answer 2

I'm scared of it too.  I get sick just thinking about it.  All those open spaces, swaying cables, strong winds, slippery stairs.

I'd skip it if I were you.  But if you must...

1. take the elevator and just close your eyes going up.

2. When you get out stay in the center portion for awhile.  It's nice and far from the edge and very comfy.  

3. Stay inside for a while till you start to feel ok then...

4. slowly walk outside a bit.  You'll be surprised how big it is and how much you can see just from the center part.

Shell's idea about the wine is a good one.  Have 2 glasses of wine but not more or you'll just get more sick.

The Arc d'Triomphe is a good idea.  In fact, just last week they opened a new musuem there inside the Arch!  Then walk to the very top and see the city from the Arch...

Answer 3

The tower is so big you get a real sense of it's solidity. try to look out, not straight down, and you would have to make a real effort to fall off, everything is all fenced in. the Arc d' triomphe is much lower, but again, all fenced in, and the view from both is staggering.

Answer 4

Use the elevator, don't go to the last floor (it moves !) and it will be great, you will enjoy the scenic view.

I would recommend to go to the eiffel tower the morning, because there is less queue there in the morning. And the Arc de Triomphe is good but not so great.

If you like scenic views, don't forget to go the 'Butte Montmartre - Sacré Coeur' at the top of the stairs. It is feeric, especially when the night arrives.

Answer 5

Firstly, don't go up the L'Arc de Triomphe.  You don't have to, and there's plenty to see at ground level.

With the Eiffel Tower, it would be good to say you've done it, so just go to the 1st or 2nd Floor, stand back from the railing - you can't fall off anyway.  

There is a snack bar on the 2nd floor and if you don't want to go to the railing, just stand in there, have a coffee, look at the view from inside, and relax.  There might be a snack bar on the 1st floor but I'm not sure.

Answer 6

you cannot fall...

unless you lean over and stick half your body outside...

(which i doubt is even possible)

there is nothing to worry about...

think of the positives..

great view... of PARIS

and how brave you are...

good luck

Answer 7

Don't visit the Eiffel Tower if you are afraid of heights.  Unlike most tall structures, the Eiffel Tower is an open latticework of metal parts, and from many viewpoints you can see almost straight down to the ground.  The elevators that take you to the summit have windows all around, and they ride in metal guides, not a closed elevator shaft, so you can see directly outside and to the ground through all the windows.  On a windy day, the elevators sway gently against the guides as they go up and down.

It's all very safe, but it will still be terrifying to anyone with a fear of heights. I've seen visitors cry from the time they enter the tower to the time they get back down, and I've seen other visitors who became so scared on the way up that they would not step out of the elevator and just wanted to go back down.

You can get a nice view of the tower from the ground.  If you are only a little bit afraid of heights, the first and second levels offer a nice view and are less scary.  The only reason people go to the top is to say that they've been there, as it is small and often crowded, and the weather is rarely clear enough to provide a good view.  The lower levels have shops and restaurants and the view is usually better.

Don't be afraid to say no.  Lots of visitors just come to look at the outside.  The inside is interesting, but not so interesting that it justifies struggling with a strong fear of heights.

Answer 8

that was funny Becky :)

stayin down on the ground back in year 11 xD!!!

Awwwwww hahahahahaaaa

Watch Rush Hour 3 before you go :) x

Answer 9

Pretend you're on the ground, ignore the fact that you are high up, and don't look down, whatever you do. :P

Answer 10

I think that your experience in Paris should be a beautiful memory instead of the sacariest experience in your life. I would advice that you don't go up the tower, rather see it from below, enjoy it, admire it, buy a cup of coffe and sip on it slowly while you watch it, in a word enjoy it without any kind of pressures or fears

Answer 11

There is 3 stage on the Eiffel Tower.

If you really want to try, you can simply go to the first one, 57 meters height.

The view is beautiful at this stage. You don't have to go on the top.

The second floor is 115 meters height. Hope to you to see if you really feel good at the first one to go on the second.

I really don't recommend you to go on the top. 275 meters. The view is nice if the weather in really good, and the pollution not so present. But that's REALLY impressive.

Don't worry to fall, there are grids everywhere to prevent suicide or accidents ;-).