The Champ de Mars is a large public walkway surrounded by impressively landscaped greenery in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower to the northwest and the École Militaire to the southeast. In 1780, the Parc du Champ de Mars opened and is now a hotspot for national events, accessed freely and offering stellar views of some of the capital’s most beautiful landmarks. Parisians and tourists alike flock to the lawns to picnic, play music, or watch the Eiffel Tower’s lights twinkle at night. For me, I took advantage of the impressively long walkways as an opportunity to explore more of the fabulous city of Paris.

Champ de Mars stretches all the way from the Seine River to École Militaire, which is still used today as a military academy. The most impressive feature you will come across however is the Eiffel Tower, Paris’s most iconic landmark. Along the stretch of grassland there are some exquisitely laid out gardens with scrubs and flower beds, which only add to the visual appeal of this popular landmark.

View from the second level of the Eiffel Tower of Champ de Mars.

The park is easily accessible by taking the Métro – the closest stations are La Motte-Picquet–Grenelle, École Militaire, and Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel. I got off at the Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel stop and it was about a five minute walk to reach the Parc du Champs de Mars. A basic Métro ticket, which is a small piece of cardboard with a magnetic strip, costs €1,80 – a relatively affordable fee to pay to see one of the greatest parks you will ever encounter!

The best way to get a full view of the Parc du Champs de Mars is to visit the Eiffel Tower. To get additional exercise in and avoid long lines, I opted to climb to the Eiffel Tower’s second level. The cost to do this was relatively cheaper than taking an elevator all the way to the top, at only €5 (as of May 1, 2015). Please note climbing these stairs isn’t for beginners. It was rigorous, and I passed many people who were out of breath but the views from the top made it worthwhile.

You will climb 300 steps to get to the first level and another 300 steps to the second observation level of the tower. If that’s high enough for you, then you can come back down or you may opt to hop on the elevator at the second level to take it all the way to the top. You can buy your Eiffel Tower tickets in advance by clicking here.

Champ de Mars Tips

Tip 1: Walk down Rue Cler and grab all the essentials for a picnic in the park: baguettes, cheese, charcuterie and cheap wine.

Tip 2: If you are not a fan of street peddlers, this park isn’t for you. You will be approached, likely multiple times with offerings of small Eiffel Tower replicas, selfie sticks, and even booze.

Tip 3: Plan a picnic for late afternoon, and then take a stroll through Champ de Mars. Then hike up the stairs of the Eiffel Tower to explore. Stay for the twinkling of the Eiffel Tower at night to get the full Eiffel Tower experience.

Tip 4: Pickpocketing is especially common in tourist areas such as the Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars. Keep a close watch on your valuables.

Difficulty: Easy

Total Distance: Varies

Trailhead address: 2 Allée Adrienne Lecouvreur, 75007 Paris, France

Eiffel Tower view from Champ de Mars.

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