The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is an openwork iron tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. Completed in 1889, it stands 300 meters tall, with a 24-meter antenna bringing its total height to 324 meters. The Eiffel Tower is named after the bridge engineer Gustave Eiffel, who designed it. With its innovative and unique design, it is a technical masterpiece in the history of world architecture and has become a major attraction and iconic landmark of France and Paris.

Covering an area of one hectare, the Eiffel Tower stands on the Champ de Mars by the Seine River in central Paris. Except for the four legs, which are made of reinforced concrete, the entire structure is constructed of steel, weighing a total of 7,000 tons. The tower has three levels: the first at 57 meters, the second at 115 meters, and the third at 274 meters. Except for the third level platform, which is solid, the rest of the structure is openwork. There are 1,711 steps from the base to the top, though elevators have been installed for convenience. Each level features bars and restaurants where visitors can relax and enjoy panoramic views of Paris. On clear days, visibility can extend up to 70 kilometers.

The Eiffel Tower is one of the symbols of Paris and is affectionately called "La Dame de Fer" (The Iron Lady) by the French. Along with New York's Empire State Building and Tokyo Tower, it is acclaimed as one of the world’s three most famous structures.

Construction of the Eiffel Tower began in 1887. It has three floors, located at 57.6 meters, 115.7 meters, and 276.1 meters above the ground, respectively. The first and second floors house restaurants, while the third floor features an observation deck. There are 1,711 steps from the base to the top. The tower used 7,000 tons of steel, 12,000 metal parts, and 2.5 million rivets, making it an awe-inspiring sight.

On May 15, 1889, to inaugurate the World's Fair, the tower’s designer, Gustave Eiffel, personally raised the French flag at the tower’s 300-meter height. To commemorate his contribution to France and Paris, a bust of Eiffel was later erected at the base of the tower.

On January 16, 2004, in its bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, the Paris municipal government used the Eiffel Tower to showcase its preparations, turning the tower into a “natural advertisement” for the bid.

This metal structure, built for the World's Fair, held the title of the world’s tallest building for 45 years until the Empire State Building in New York surpassed it. It is held together by 2.5 million rivets and reportedly exerts pressure on the ground equivalent to that of a single adult sitting in a chair. The four sides of the tower are inscribed with the names of 72 scientists who contributed research to ensure the tower’s stability.

Historical Background

The Eiffel Tower is one of the symbols of Paris and is affectionately called "The Iron Lady" by the French. Along with New York's Empire State Building and Tokyo Tower, it is acclaimed as one of the world’s three most famous structures. 　

　In 1889, the centennial of the French Revolution, Paris hosted a grand international exposition to celebrate. The most eye-catching exhibit was the Eiffel Tower, which became a symbol of the industrial revolution sweeping the world at the time.

The designer of the Eiffel Tower was the French architect Gustave Eiffel. Early in his career, he was known as an expert in wrought iron bridges. He left behind numerous masterpieces around the world, but it is this tower, named after him, that brought him global fame. In his own words: “The Eiffel Tower has engulfed me; it is as if I have only lived to build her.” Although the French government had decided to build the world’s tallest iron tower in Paris, it initially provided only one-fifth of the required funding. To realize his vision, Eiffel mortgaged his construction company and all his assets to the bank to finance the project.

Construction officially began on January 28, 1887. During winter, 250 workers labored eight hours a day, and in summer, 13 hours a day. Finally, on March 31, 1889, the towering steel structure was completed. The Eiffel Tower is composed of many separate fragments—resembling a pile of model components. However, these fragments were not plastic but metal, totaling 18,038 pieces weighing 10,000 tons. The construction involved 7 million drilled holes and 2.5 million rivets. Thanks to strict pre-numbering of every part, assembly proceeded without a single error. The construction strictly followed the design with no mid-course alterations, demonstrating the rationality of the design and the precision of the calculations. It is estimated that there were over 5,300 design sketches, including 1,700 full-scale drawings.

Upon completion, the Eiffel Tower stood 300 meters tall, remaining the tallest structure in the world until 1930. Today, with added broadcast and television antennas, its total height reaches 320 meters. From the top, the entire city of Paris lies at your feet. Visitors from around the world come daily to admire the view. By 1988, the “Iron Lady” had welcomed 123 million visitors from five continents.

On March 31, 1989, the Eiffel Tower celebrated its 100th birthday. To mark the occasion, the Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel organized a grand commemorative event recreating the historic scene of Eiffel leading a group to the top 100 years earlier. Dressed in a black suit, top hat, and waving the French flag, the actor playing Eiffel, along with 30 “notables” and “construction workers,” ascended the tower to the sound of drums and music. As he planted the tricolor flag at the top, 21 cannon shots were fired, doves flew around the tower, and colorful balloons floated into the sky. Colorful banners in various languages wishing the tower a happy 100th birthday hung from the railing of the second-floor platform. Countless visitors witnessed this spectacular scene.

Having withstood a century of weathering and undergone major renovations in the early 1980s, the Eiffel Tower remains as majestic as ever, standing proudly by the Seine River. It is a source of pride for all the French people.

Covering an area of one hectare, the Eiffel Tower stands on the Champ de Mars by the Seine River in central Paris. Except for the four legs, which are made of reinforced concrete, the entire structure is constructed of steel, weighing a total of 7,000 tons. The tower has three levels: the first at 57 meters, the second at 115 meters, and the third at 274 meters. Except for the third level platform, which is solid, the rest of the structure is openwork. There are 1,711 steps from the base to the top, though elevators have been installed for convenience. Each level features bars and restaurants where visitors can relax and enjoy panoramic views of Paris. On clear days, visibility can extend up to 70 kilometers. The tower’s designer, Mr. Eiffel, once said upon submitting the blueprints: “Only proper painting can ensure the longevity of this metal structure.” This advice holds true for maintaining the Iron Lady and perhaps even more so for nurturing human relationships today: meticulous care, seeing things through from beginning to end—that is where true beauty lies.

Symbol of Paris

The Eiffel Tower (also translated as “Aifei’er Iron Tower”) is a famous iron tower in Paris, France, located at the northern end of the Champ de Mars on the south bank of the Seine.

Construction began on January 26, 1887, and it opened on May 15, 1889. With over 100 years of history, the Eiffel Tower is as iconic to Paris as Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Champs-Élysées.

If Notre-Dame Cathedral symbolizes ancient Paris, then the Eiffel Tower (Eiffel Tower) represents modern Paris. In 1889, the centennial of the French Revolution, the French government decided to celebrate grandly by hosting an unprecedented World's Fair in Paris to showcase achievements in industry and culture and to erect a monument symbolizing the French Revolution and Paris. The organizing committee originally envisioned a classical memorial complex with statues, monuments, gardens, and temples. However, from over 700 submissions, they selected the design of bridge engineer Gustave Eiffel: a colossal tower symbolizing machine civilization and visible from any corner of Paris.

The romantic Parisians gave the tower a beautiful name—“La Fille des Nuages” (The Maiden of the Clouds). Named after its designer, the renowned French engineer Gustave Eiffel, a bust of Eiffel was also erected at the base of the tower.

The Miracle of the Eiffel Tower

Generally, buildings improve upon previous works—for example, constructing a 10-story building often involves studying 8- or 9-story structures. But Eiffel wasn’t so fortunate; no existing structure had reached the height of the tower he envisioned.

To complete the tower, Eiffel developed many innovative techniques:

● Unlike other large construction projects of the time, Eiffel manufactured all components in his own workshop. This meant that when the parts arrived at the site, they could be assembled very quickly.

● Rivet holes were pre-drilled with a tolerance of one-tenth of a millimeter, enabling 20 riveting teams to install 1,650 rivets per day.

● No component of the tower weighed more than 3 tons, allowing the widespread use of small cranes.

Three viewing platforms

The French say that the Eiffel Tower is the “viewing platform of the capital,” and indeed it is. It has three viewing platforms—at the top, middle, and bottom—capable of accommodating tens of thousands of people simultaneously. Each platform offers a unique view and a distinct experience. For a century, around 3 million people have climbed to the top of the tower each year to gaze at the Parisian cityscape in awe.

The highest viewing platform is 274 meters above the ground. Climbing the 1,652 steps takes about an hour, though you can also take the elevator. This level is best for long-distance views, giving you the sensation that the bustling city of Paris has suddenly gone quiet and transformed into a giant map, with streets and alleys forming countless lines of varying widths. The entire city lies beneath your feet, and on clear days, visibility can extend up to 60 kilometers.

The middle viewing platform is 115 meters above the ground. Some say the view from this level is the most spectacular. Indeed, the pale yellow arch of the Arc de Triomphe, the green-shaded Louvre Museum, and the white Sacré-Cœur Basilica on Montmartre are all clearly visible in vivid colors. Visiting at dusk offers a picturesque night scene with glittering lights, trees cast in shadows, and the web-like street lamps resembling glistening dewdrops after rain. This floor also houses an elegantly designed panoramic restaurant that is always bustling, so reservations are essential.

The lowest viewing platform is the largest and most spacious, equipped with various facilities such as conference halls, cinemas, restaurants, shops, and a post office. Amidst the bustling crowd, you may feel as if you're in a busy downtown area, forgetting that you're still 57 meters above the ground. This level is ideal for close-up views. To the north, you’ll see the Palais de Chaillot and its splashing fountains; below, the calm waters of the Seine River flow quietly; to the south, the expansive lawns of Champ de Mars and the historic buildings of the École Militaire create an unforgettable scenic panorama.

Amazing Feats

1. In 1891, a Parisian baker walked up 636 steps on stilts to reach the first level of the tower.

2. In 1911, a French tailor named Franz Reichelt donned a spring-loaded cape shaped like bat wings he designed himself and attempted to fly off the protective barrier at the top of the tower. Unfortunately, his homemade “parachute” malfunctioned mid-flight, and he plunged to his death in front of a large crowd. He hit the ground with such force that he created a crater 30 centimeters deep. Later, doctors speculated that he might have died of a heart attack before even hitting the ground.

3. In June 1923, a French writer named Pierre Labric rode a bicycle down from the second level to the ground. 　

　4. In November 1926, in an attempt to impress his brother who lived nearby, a French man named Léon Collot tried to fly a plane through the gap between the two tower legs. He almost succeeded, but at the last moment, sunlight temporarily blinded him. He swerved left, crashed into a radio antenna, and his plane immediately burst into flames. Léon was killed.

5. During World War II, just before the Allies reclaimed Paris from the Germans, an American pilot performed the same daring feat as Léon—and succeeded.

6. As part of the Eiffel Tower’s 75th-anniversary celebration, a mountaineering team scaled the tower—without using any ladders.

7. In 1968, a cow was lifted to the top of the tower to encourage people to buy more dairy products like milk, butter, and cheese.

8. Every year, the tower performs its own remarkable feat—growing taller on its own. Due to thermal expansion in the hot summer months, the tower can rise by about 17 centimeters—but when temperatures cool, it contracts back to its normal height.

Travel Guide

Admission Fees:

Elevator to the first level: Adults and children over 12 – €4.3; Children aged 3–12 – €2.4.

　 Elevator to the second level: Adults and children over 12 – €7.7; Children aged 3–12 – €4.2.

Elevator to the top level: Adults and children over 12 – €11; Children aged 3–12 – €6.

Stairs to the first and second levels: Adults over 25 – €3.8; Adults under 25 – €3.0.

　 Free admission for all children under 3.

Opening Hours:

09:30–23:00 (January 1 to June 15, September 3 to December 31); 09:00–24:00 (June 16 to September 2).

Getting There:

Take buses 42, 69, 72, 82, or 87.

Dining:

On the first and second levels of the tower, there are restaurants: ALTITUDE 95 (at 95 meters above ground) and LE JULES VERNE (at 125 meters above ground), offering meals. Additionally, snack bars and ice cream stands are available near the entrance.

Shopping:

Souvenir shops are located at the tower entrance, as well as on the first and second levels.

Souvenirs:

It is recommended to buy small metal models on the Eiffel Tower. Although these models are quite expensive—about 5–10 euros for a small one—the craftsmanship is very refined. If you buy from street vendors, you can get six or seven for just one euro, but they are very rough in quality, and you also need to be wary of pickpockets. However, items like souvenir pens, notebooks, erasers, and picture frames are best purchased on the tower, as they are hard to find elsewhere.

The Eiffel Tower has another fascinating feature: in the morning, it leans 100 mm to the west; at noon, it tilts 70 mm to the north; and at night, it stands perfectly vertical. Can you guess why this happens?