Description

Essentials about the Eiffel Tower in brief

The Eiffel Tower is perhaps the most famous structure in the world. Undoubtedly, the 324-meter high iron lattice tower is the emblem of Paris and also a national symbol of all France. Every year, over six million visitors come to see this grandiose structure. It goes without saying that the Eiffel Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The history of the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower stands at the northwest end of the Champ de Mars near the banks of the Seine. The tower was built from 1887 to 1889 as a monumental entrance and observation tower for the Paris World’s Fair on the occasion of the one hundredth anniversary of the French Revolution. The tower is named after its builder Gustave Eiffel, who is usually mistakenly thought to be the tower’s architect. However, the technical design of the Eiffel Tower was made by two engineers, Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, who both worked for Gustave Eiffel’s office. Due to visual concerns, the design was reworked again at Gustave Eiffel’s request by architect Stephen Sauvestre, who gave the tower its now familiar shape. Very quickly, however, the tower became associated with its builder, Eiffel, which is why it bears his name to this day (Eiffel himself, incidentally, is said never to have used the name “Eiffel Tower”).

Until 1930, when it was replaced by the Chrysler Building in New York City, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world. However, the tower was not only a milestone in architectural terms, but also contributed to the history of radio and television. In 1921, the first public radio program in Europe was broadcast from the Eiffel Tower, and in 1935 the first French television program was broadcast. Today, the tower is still the most important broadcasting facility in the greater Paris area.

The observation decks of the Eiffel Tower

Visitors can discover the Eiffel Tower on three levels. On the second floor of the tower, 57 meters above the ground, there is a platform where you can learn about the history of this legendary building. In addition, a dizzying experience awaits visitors on the 1st floor: thanks to a transparent glass floor, one can step over the void.

The further ascent to the second floor takes visitors to a height of 115 meters. From here, one already has a spectacular panoramic view of the French capital. Numerous monuments of Paris are clearly visible, such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica or the Tour Montparnasse. This is also the location of the 95-seat Jules Verne restaurant, which has won Guide Michelin and Gault-Millau awards. If you can’t get a table or find the prices off-putting, you can also eat at a gastropub on the second floor.

The final section to the third floor can only be negotiated by elevators. They take visitors to a height of 276 meters. This makes it the second highest publicly accessible viewing platform in Europe (only the Ostankino tower in Moscow has a higher one). From the top floor, you can experience the phenomenal panorama of Paris. If you want to take a closer look, you can use telescopes to zoom in on the many sights of the French capital. If you want to “douse” this great view with a drink, you will find a typically French facility here: a champagne bar. In addition, Gustave Eiffel’s study has been faithfully recreated on the platform.

Website

toureiffel.paris

Opening hours

Opening hours Jun. 15 – Sep. 1:

Admission fees

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Métro line 6: Stop Bir-Hakeim

Métro line 8: Stop École militaire

Métro lines 6 and 9: Stop Trocadéro

RER line C: Stop Champs de Mars – Tour Eiffel

Bus lines 2, 30, 42 and 82: Stop Tour Eiffel

Bus line 42: Stop Monttessuy

Bus line 82: Stop Champs de Mars

Batobus: Stop Tour Eiffel

By car:

The nearest parking garages are Parking Pullman Tour Eiffel and 443 Avenue Joseph Bouvard.