Here’s How You Can Stay in the Eiffel Tower for Free

If you’re looking for a dreamy summer getaway, it doesn’t get more romantic than Paris. The cobbled streets, the insanely delicious food and oh ya, that little-known structure that stands tall over the city ;) If you’re hoping to check “go up in the Eiffel Tower” off your bucket list, we can do you one better. What if you actually stayed there?

Rental company HomeAway just launched a contest to do just that as part of its sponsorship of this summer’s Euro cup. The company has impressively managed to get the French government to allow a few lucky winners to be the first people to stay overnight in the landmark in its 129-year history.

The winner will stay on the tower’s first floor (which is still 187 feet up, BTW) in a makeshift suite. But don’t think that means sleeping bags and a couple of pillows. HomeAway is collaborating with acclaimed French interior designer Benoit Leleu to totally deck out the space. You and five friends will get an overnight stay in the tower as well as a private dinner and breakfast the following morning. Oh ya, and although the stay in the actual tower is only one night, the winner gets free airfare and three extra nights in Paris.

Okay, so let’s get down to how you can WIN this. Instead of entering your name into an online raffle, this is going to take some thought. Head over to HomeAway’s contest page and answer this question: “What would you do if the Eiffel Tower Apartment was all yours for the night?” Seems simple enough but there’s a catch. Like Twitter, your response can only be 140 characters.

We suggest you have a long hard think about your response before pressing submit – but don’t wait too long. The contest closes May 31, winners will be announced June 10 and four lucky groups will have a chance to stay in the historic structure on June 23, June 28, July 4 and July 8. In the words of Effie Trinket, may the odds be ever in your favor.

(Photos via Getty)