The Eiffel Tower from the Left Bank: lawns, base, and the river
The Champ de Mars at dusk, the Tower from underneath, and the sparkle on the hour. This is a Claude-drafted route awaiting the editor's walk.

1. Champ de Mars — the south lawns
Come out at École Militaire and walk the long lawns toward the Tower. Pick a patch of grass two-thirds of the way down; this is the best spot to watch the iron go from grey to gold as the light drops.

2. The Tower base
Walk in under the four feet and look straight up — the Tower is a different, far stranger thing from directly below than from the postcards. You don't have to queue or climb; standing in the middle is free and most of the wonder.

3. Pont d'Iéna
Cross toward the river. From the bridge you get the Tower behind you and the Trocadéro fountains ahead — turn around for the cleanest full-height view of the whole structure.

4. Port de Suffren
Drop to the quay on the Left Bank and walk downstream along the water. The river boats slide past, the Tower looms over your shoulder, and the crowds thin the moment you leave the bridge.

5. Rue Saint-Dominique
Cut back inland for the *brasserie* (all-day café-restaurant) strip — proper tables, proper food, the Tower framed at the end of the street. A good place to land before the metro, and to wait out the next hourly sparkle.

The Eiffel Tower from the Left Bank: lawns, base, and the river