Any tips for avoiding the lines at Eiffel Tower in Paris? Can you bring up a backpack?

Start early or go with a group. Groups get special handling, that is to say, they go really to the head of the line.

They do have security checkpoint before you get on the elevator, so let that guide you.

yes, waiting in line or just being at the eiffel tower is so disastrous! i had to wait about an hour and a half just to get up! i dont know how youd be able to avoid the lines, because the eiffel tower is a touristy area..there will be alot of people there..doesn't matter what the time of day is..as far as sacks and stuff go, you may bring those up im sure, but after you get it checked of course. i am most positive that you get it checked twice. one when youre ready to buy the tickets, and the next, when you get in line to go up the elevators. for the stairs, i think the measures are different, but then again, im not really sure. i used the elevator so i know more about that part of the question. anyway, bon voyage a paris!!

The best tip is not to bother going up at all.

The view is actually rather poor. The best view of Paris is actually from either the top of Arc de Triomphe or from the plaza in front of Sacre Coeur.