The Eiffel Tower sparkles for 5 minutes at the start of every hour after nightfall until 11:00 PM. The golden lighting and beacon turn on as soon as night falls (within about 10 minutes), and the sparkles start at the next full hour after that. For example, if sunset is at 8:35 PM, the lights come on shortly after, and the first sparkle happens at 9:00 PM. This sparkling continues every hour on the hour for 5 minutes until 11:00 PM, when the sparkling stops but the golden lighting remains on until 11:45 PM. During the summer months (June to August), when the Tower closes later (at 12:45 AM), the lights stay on until 1:00 AM with an additional final sparkle at 1:00 AM, which is a special silver shimmer without the golden lighting. In summary, the Eiffel Tower sparkles:
- Every hour on the hour for 5 minutes
- Starting about 10 minutes after sunset (nightfall)
- Until 11:00 PM normally
- Until 1:00 AM in summer months with a final special sparkle at 1:00 AM
The best times to catch the sparkling light show are right after dark, then every hour on the hour until the last sparkle of the evening.
