The Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower is the gastronomic restaurant inside the monument, on the second level and reached by its own lift. It is the most formal place to eat in the tower and the most expensive, and it is not a “top of the tower” meal in the literal sense, because the summit is higher. Here is my read: it is worth booking for a real milestone, and it is not worth booking just because you want dinner with a view. This guide explains who it is for, why the booking is separate from a tower ticket and what I would choose instead. It is part of my larger guide to Eiffel Tower restaurants. If you are still choosing a ticket, the Eiffel Tower tickets homepage compares them.
What is the Jules Verne restaurant?
The Jules Verne is the gastronomic restaurant of the Eiffel Tower. It sits on the second level and offers a fine dining tasting experience with views over Paris.
I describe it as a destination restaurant that happens to be in a landmark. People book it for the meal first and the setting second, which is the opposite of the first floor brasserie. Chefs, menus and prices change over time, so I do not print any of those here. Check the restaurant and the official Eiffel Tower website for the current details before you plan around it.
Is the Jules Verne at the top of the Eiffel Tower?
Not quite. It is on the second level, which is below the summit. People often call it the restaurant on top of the Eiffel Tower, but the summit is a higher level with its own champagne bar.
This matters if you are searching for dinner at the top of the tower. The truth is that no full restaurant sits on the summit, and the highest table is on the second level. I would set expectations with the person you are taking. A second level view is wide and lovely, but if you promised “the very top”, you will want to explain that early.
Why is booking separate from a tower ticket?
The restaurant runs its own reservation system, separate from the tower’s ticketing. Your reservation gets you to the restaurant, and it does not work as a general ticket to the levels.
I would treat the restaurant booking as a one-step decision and the tower ticket as another. Check with the restaurant for lead times, deposit rules and cancellation terms, because those vary. Never assume that a tower ticket includes a table, and never assume that a table gives you the summit. The dinner listing on our site includes a lift ticket to the first floor only, and it says the second floor and summit are not included.
How much does the Jules Verne cost?
Prices depend on the menu, the day and the number of courses, and they change. Check the restaurant for the current price. It is priced well above a brasserie meal.
I will not print a figure, because a wrong number is worse than none. What I can say is that the first floor dinner in our listing starts from EUR 130 per person with drinks and lift access included, so a gastronomic table is a different price tier. If budget matters, ask yourself whether the extra spend is buying a better meal or only a higher table. If the answer is “only the table”, I would choose the brasserie.
Who should book the Jules Verne?
It suits people who would book a top Paris restaurant anyway: a couple marking an anniversary, a proposal, a family milestone or a food lover with a budget to match.
Here is my test. If you would happily spend the whole evening on the meal, book it. If you would rather see more of Paris, skip it. The evening is long, formal and slow, so it is a poor fit for a tight schedule, for children with short patience or for anyone who wants to visit the summit the same night.
Who should skip it?
Skip it if you are on a budget, if you want the highest view, if you have small children or if you want a relaxed evening with a lot of flexibility.
My honest view is that most visitors do better with the first floor brasserie. It has a clear price, a set menu, drinks included and a priority lift line. The Madame Brasserie guide explains what that dinner includes, and it is what I would choose for a good night that is not a once-a-decade splurge.
How does it compare with the brasserie?
The brasserie is more accessible, cheaper and bundled with tower access. The Jules Verne is more formal, priced separately and booked directly.
| Jules Verne | First floor brasserie |
|---|
| Level | Second | First |
| Style | Gastronomic | Brasserie |
| Booking | Directly with the restaurant | Restaurant or bundled ticket |
| Price | Check the restaurant | From EUR 130 per person in our listing |
| Best for | A milestone splurge | A special night |
I would read the table this way: the price gap is the point. If the bundle in our listing already covers a lift, a three-course menu and drinks, the gastronomic table needs a strong reason to beat it. For me that reason is a very special occasion.
Can you get a table without booking far ahead?
Sometimes, but I would not rely on it. Tables at a restaurant like this fill quickly, especially on weekends and in summer. Check the restaurant for current lead times.
My advice is to book as soon as you know your Paris dates. If you leave it late and find nothing, do not treat it as a failure. The first floor dinner and the river dinner both work, and I compare them in my guide to Eiffel Tower dinner options.
What are the alternatives with a view?
You can eat at the first floor brasserie, at a restaurant with the tower in view outside or on a river dinner cruise. Each gives a different view.
For eating with the tower in the frame, I would use my page on restaurants with an Eiffel Tower view, which sorts them by view type. For a top-level drink on a summit visit, the Eiffel Tower champagne bar is the lighter version of the same idea. If you want the evening to include the river, my pillar on the Eiffel Tower at night covers cruises and the lights.
Should you dress up?
Yes, I would. A gastronomic restaurant expects smart dress, and the setting deserves it. Check the restaurant for its current dress policy.
I would not test the limits of smart casual here. A jacket for men and a dress or smart trousers for women is a safe rule, and comfortable shoes help because the walk from the Metro and the security check involve standing.
What is the getting-there plan?
The tower is on the Champ de Mars in the 7th arrondissement. Metro line 6 stops at Bir-Hakeim and RER C stops at Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel.
Arrive early. Your reservation will tell you where to go and when, and the restaurant has its own entrance route. I would leave a buffer of at least 30 minutes for security and the walk, because arriving late to a fixed tasting menu is stressful for you and for the staff.
My recommendation
Book the Jules Verne only if you want a serious meal and you would enjoy it even without the view. Book it directly with the restaurant, check current prices and lead times, and do it early. For everyone else, I would pick the first floor brasserie and keep the rest of the budget for the summit.
To see the more accessible dining ticket, the Eiffel Tower dinner tickets start from EUR 130 per person and include the lift to the first floor, drinks and a three-course menu. Prices vary by date and seating, so check the live figure.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Jules Verne inside the Eiffel Tower?
Yes. It is the gastronomic restaurant on the second level, reached by its own lift.
Do I need a tower ticket to eat there?
The restaurant is booked separately from tower tickets. Check the restaurant for what your reservation includes.
How far ahead should I book?
As early as you can. Check the restaurant for current lead times, since tables fill quickly.
Is it the highest restaurant on the tower?
It is the highest full restaurant, on the second level. The summit has a champagne bar but not a full restaurant.
What is a cheaper alternative?
The first floor brasserie dinner in our listing, from EUR 130 per person with drinks and a lift ticket included.
