


The last sparkle at 1am had a special feature: the golden lighting and the beacons were switched off, leaving only the sparkling lights for five minutes. Wrapped in its golden splendor, the Eiffel Tower’s lighting is sublimated by this sparkling. Since the year 2000, the lights have sparkled on the hour for five minutes from nightfall until 1am (if night falls at 7.40pm, the lights sparkle first at 8pm). The sparkles: every evening after dusk for 5 minutes at the beginning of each hour. As the lights are switched off at 11.45pm, they will sparkle for the last time at 11pm. These 4 projectors take turns performing a 90° rotation and turning on and off in sync, creating the illusion of a 360° rotating beam.
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But in fact, the current beacon (which dates back to 1999) consists of 4 marine-type projectors, one on each side of the monument, that are operated by micro-computers with specific software and a programmable logic controller. On a clear evening, its rays can reach up to 80 km! It is reminiscent of the beacon that was installed on the monument in 1889. In addition to the structural lighting, a beacon located at the top of the Tower also comes on at dusk. These lights are both for aesthetic and safety purposes since they light the route for visitors and ensure the proper operation of the monument at night. This system, which dates back to 1985, has no less than 336 1kW high-pressure sodium lamps that are changed every 4 years (the last replacement took place in the spring of 2019). Simply check an almanac to find out what time the monument will light up. The Tower lights and beacon are lit up every evening from dusk until 11.45pm.Īs soon as it gets dark, the Eiffel Tower’s golden lighting switches on automatically within less than 10 minutes, thanks to light-sensitive twilight sensors. Every day as dusk settles over the city, the Eiffel Tower invites spectators to admire her golden aura, but when do the lights come on? And what about the sparkles? Here is the answer to all your questions.
