Eiffel Tower tickets - Best way to do it & how it works

(1) Buy your tickets from the official website, not a third party, www.toureiffel.paris/en (2) come in through security checkpoint 1, it is less crowded, (3) arrive about 30 minutes early to make it through the security line before your timeslot is called, (4) look for the green hut and find the screen indicating what time slot they are allowing in. If you are early you can queue up for your timeslot so you can be first for your group. You don't have to wait until your time to go through security, you can go through security early and hang out under the tower until your time. Note: to reserve tickets to the top of the tower at a prime time slot they may require you to purchase a package with champagne. It's more expensive but it might be the price you have to pay to get a guaranteed slot at a good time.