Afraid of heights..

I am traveling to Paris next week with a friend of mine who%26#39;s afraid of heights. As I understand its mostly places where she feel %26quot;exposed%26quot; to the drop, such as transparant floor grating, under railings and such, wheras enclosed spots (such as a restaurant) isn%26#39;t as bad.

Now which sights in Paris would this be an issue? And is there any precautions we can take? I really want to go up the Eiffel Tower and she has said she wouldn%26#39;t mind waiting at a cafe for me, but it would nicer if I knew I could safely bring part of the way up (if that%26#39;s possible).

And what about other places with views? Such as Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur etc.

Neither of us have been to Paris before so we%26#39;re a bit clueless. :)

DKSprocket

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The upper level of the Eiffel tower is completely enclosed with wire mesh, so she wouldn%26#39;t be able to lean over the side. On the 2nd level, it is possible to lean over. The Arc has metal posts sticking straight up, about 8 inches apart, and you can%26#39;t lean out there either. I%26#39;m not sure about Sacre Coeur....it%26#39;s been many years since I%26#39;ve been there.

Will she be ok on bridges??

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Thanks for your advice.

Bridges should be ok. The wire mesh at the Eiffel Tower might be a problem however.

I heard there are restaurants in the Eiffel Tower. Is it possible to get to these without going outside?

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There are enclosed restaurants but someone else whose been will be needed to advise. I think only Altitude 95 could be accessed now due to the need for very advance reservations for Jules Verne.

I%26#39;m concerned about trying to get to the enclosed third level of the Eiffel because you have to get off the lift at the second level and change onto a different lift. I don%26#39;t recall any enclosed section on the second level - it was all outdoors. The balconies are by no means narrow but if it is crowded, the lines snake around and at some point you could be standing near the fence.

The view from out the front of the Sacre Coeur entails standing on steps and pavements that are simply a long way up a hillside. This might not be so challenging.

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I am scared of height too, and although now i am used to it as i often take tourists there, but the Eiffel tower IS a nightmare. By lift it might be allright until the sesond floor. But avoid going to the 3rd floor as the lift journey up there seems endless and is very impressive. I still am ill at ease going to the 3rd floor. Avoid at all costs taking the stairs, i did that when i was seven and still remember how scared i was (you see through the steps). As for the Arc de triomphe it is allright, a long way up but you see nothing impressive along the way. Then she can stop in the large room up there while you go and look at the view. Avoid the Notre Dame towers, i did something similar in Notre dame in Amiens ans the staircase will be as narrow, i ended up crawling (not funny), and avoid the Sacre Coeur, very impressive. I didn%26#39;t like either the transparent staircase at the Pompidou center when i realised they had removed every other glass pannel, got stuck paralysed in the middle of the staircase! The rest should be allright...

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I forgot : the first floor of the tower is much larger and feels %26quot;safer%26quot; than the second floor which is not only higher but busier and you have less space to go round people if you feel uncomfortable. Both 1st and 2nd are outdoors, although on the second floor in the center you have an enclosed part with a couple of souvenirs shops and a small café.

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Go to the top of Tour Montparnasse. You can see a panorama view of Paris and you are at the top of a skyscraper building...all enclosed...glass windows. No lines to wait in either. You can even get a picture of the Eiffel Tower.

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If you%26#39;re really nervous about the heights in some places, have a couple glasses of wine to help you relax.

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You can walk up the road to Montmartre and then

to Sacre Coeur, stand by the front doors of the

church and enjoy the view, should be no problem.

The rooftop at Galerie Lafayette probably would

not be a problem unless your friend stood right

at the edge; another great view of Paris.

Best Wishes

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My wife is scared of height. We went up the Eiffel Tower at night and she was Ok, althrough on the lift up she said%26#39; Oh its all open, Im not going out there.%26#39; Well she did and did not have any real problems. The Arc de Triomphe was also not a problem for her.

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I%26#39;m a bit uneasy with heights and still did the Eiffel Tower. At night is eatsier than during the day for folks like us, but at the top, I was a mess. Maybe the first level will be OK for her. It is much wider, giving an impression of sturdiness. At the skinny little top, I could%26#39;ve sworn I felt that thing sway!

Going at night generally means fewer crowds as well and a shorter wait in line.

So basically, the top is off limits for her. Have fun!