Eiffel Tower - France

Information about Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) is the symbol of Paris, one of the most visited tourist attractions and the best known tower in the world.

The Eiffel Tower is 300 meters (984 ft) tall and was designed by Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exibition of 1889 and stirred great controversy among the Paris citizens. After its opening the intellectuals of Paris gathered to protest against the grotesque Eiffel Tower.

The Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world until 1931 when the Empire State building in New York was built. Gustave Eiffel also constructed the framework of the Statue of Liberty in New York City.

The Eiffel Tower is made of iron and has three observation levels, all accessible by elevators. The first level is at 57 meters (187 ft) and has a post office. The second level features a restaurant and is at 115 meters (376 ft) and the third level is at 276 meters (905 ft) and has observation deck that can hold 800 people. During the summer it gets very crowded and the wait can be as much as an hour per level.

One curious fact – every seven years the Eiffel Tower is painted using 60 tons of paint

History of Eiffel Tower

The tower was being built from 1887 to 1889 as the entrance arch for Exposition Universelle or World Fair. This event was to mark the centennial celebration of the storming of the Bastille and the French Revolution. About 18,038 pieces of puddled iron were put together with millions of rivets. Gustave Eiffel was assisted by architect Stephen Sauvestre and design engineers Émile Nouguier and Maurice Koechlin. Ironically, when the tower was constructed, it was considered an eyesore by a lot of art enthusiasts. Several members from the arts community condemned and said it only ruined the empty skyline of the Paris city. French novelist Guy de Maupassant who was vocal about his hatred for the tower, ate lunch every single day at the Tower's restaurant. His explanation was that it was the one place in Paris where one could not see the structure. Whatever may have been the bouts of anger about the structure, the fact remains that it became an object of intrigue the world over. Read more on facts about Eiffel Tower.


*Eiffel Tower is not only the symbol of Paris. It is also an amazing structure, graceful and beautiful. It is very funny when you read the stories how the people of Paris were outraged by the project and thought it ugly and uninviting. Climbing the Eiffel Tower was on the top of my to do list when in Paris. The lines are long but it is worth it! I`ve heard there`s a cute cafe on the first floor, too! You may think it`s cheesy, but one of my to do things while in Paris is, kiss the love of my life under Eiffel Tower. Oh! I also heard that your legs will feel "jelly" once you made it up there. We`ll see one day! :)