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When you walk down the Champs de Mars towards Eiffel’s really tall erector-set tower, you can get some great photos of the silly tourists doing amazingly silly things like holding the tower up with their hands, trying to push it over, trying to walk up its sides like King Kong (or, choose your own monster). All optical illusions!

Now try it out yourself and take the pics back home to make your friends laugh as you put them through the “what I did on my vacation” paces over fondue and foie gras (trying to recapture the Parisian flame).

While you wait in line to take an elevator to one of Eiffel Tower’s two levels, look left and right. Oh, yes! Big trees, a winding path, hidden gardens, benches … salvation! But you’re still in line. No worries. By time you get to the top, take your photos, even get a chance to eat at its fabulous restaurant (better have reservations), and wait in line to get back down, you’re going to be glad you’ve read about this recreation and chill-out park.

On either side of the tower’s broad pedestals you’ll find green lawns, soft paths, flowers, benches, and a sense (if not actual) quiet. These are also the best spots for more vertical photography. The tower’s ironwork beams, arches and platforms make for some strong digital media madness. The park and gardens are perhaps not as defined as Luxemborg Gardens, or Versailles, but while those are blocks and blocks away, you need to enjoy what you have under your feet.
The Champs de Mars is not filled always with tourists filing like army ants towards the tower. The right and left alleys are lush with green lawns, trees, and a sense that Paris is a romantic city. Grab a picnic lunch on the way into the park and wait out the lines beneath the tower. Or just rest from the long walk through the city.

(read more about Eiffel Tower Park’s highlights here)