Discover the Iconic Eiffel Tower | The Symbol of the City of Paris
The iconic Eiffel Tower needs no introduction; it is the ultimate symbol of Paris. The wrought-iron lattice tower that stands 1,083 ft (330 m) tall was originally designed for the Exposition Universelle in 1889. The subject of much controversy initially, today, the tower stands as one of the most famous symbols of Paris. Find out all you need to know about this Parisian landmark.
Quick Guide to Eiffel Tower, Paris
Also Known As: La Dame de Fer (the “Iron Lady”)
Location: 7th arrondissement, Paris, France
Date of Opening: 31 March 1889
Architect & Engineers: Gustave Eiffel, Maurice Koechlin, Emile Nouguier, and Stephen Sauvestre
Number of Visitors Per Year: 7 million
UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation: 1991
Interesting Facts About Eiffel TowerWhat is the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower, built between 1887 and 1889 by French engineer Gustave Eiffel, is a Parisian landmark. At the time of its construction, the idea of a 300-meter tower built entirely out of open-lattice wrought iron was met with both amazement and criticism.
The Eiffel Tower was supposed to be a temporary installation for the 1889 World Fair, held in Paris to commemorate 100 years of the French Revolution. However, it never got taken down.
Standing so tall, the tower that can be spotted from all over Paris and its suburbs, whether it is day or night, and over time, has come to be seen as the symbol of France. Today, close to 7 million people climb the Eiffel Tower every year.
Book Tickets to Eiffel TowerWhat Makes Eiffel Tower A Must-Visit in Paris?
While it can seem to be too "touristy", visiting Eiffel Tower while you are in Paris seems like a no-brainer. Apart from being a cultural and historical icon, the tower has even gained the status of being the international symbol of love. Explore the brilliant masterpiece by Gustave Eiffel and get an insight into French culture and learn about the significance the structure has had on French history. Whether you are an architecture buff, history geek, or someone who enjoys taking selfies in iconic locations, the Eiffel Tower is going to be an attraction you enjoy exploring.
Enjoy a picturesque view of the City of Lights from the first floor and walk across the glass floor 57 meters above the ground! Of course, the trip is incomplete until you make your way all the way to the top. From the second floor, enjoy a near-perfect aerial view of iconic Parisian landmarks such as the Notre Dame, and Champs Elysees. And finally, when you make it to the Summit, you get to bask in the beauty of Paris in all its glory from a unique vantage point.
Plan Your Visit to Eiffel Tower
Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
The Eiffel Tower is located on the Champs de Mars in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. You will find the tower on the left bank of the Seine River, at one end of the Champ de Mars. On the opposite, the tower is bordered by the Quai Branly. Across the Seine, you will find the Avenue de New York and the Palais de Chailly.
Get Directions to Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is open during the following hours:
7 May - 17 June: 9:30 AM to 10:45 PM
26 May - 30 May and 3 June - 5 June: 9:30 AM to 11:45 PM
Rest of year: 9:30 AM to 11:45 PM
Best Time to Visit Eiffel TowerHow To Buy Eiffel Tower Tickets & Tours? .
Who Built Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower was built by French engineer Gustave Eiffel., whose company specialized in building metal frameworks and structures.
Emile Nouguier and Maurice Koechlin, the two chief engineers in Eiffel's company, and Stephen Sauvestre, an architect, also played a pivotal role in the construction of the tower.
What to See at Eiffel Tower?
The Esplanade
The ground area around the Eiffel Tower, the esplanade is the only section of the tower you can explore for free. The esplanade is also home to the bronze bust of Gustave Eiffel which was sculpted by Bourdelle as well as the century-old hydraulic machines that operate the tower’s lift. From here, you can also enjoy a unique view of the architectural masterpiece. The esplanade also has an information desk, gift shops and fast food options available.
What to Do at the Esplanade?
The First Floor
The first level of the Eiffel Tower is accessible both, stairs and elevators. If you opt for the elevator, you'll be taken to the summit of the Eiffel Tower first and will stop at the first level on your way down. The first level features a collection of attractions, including a 4.3 meter tall section of the old spiral staircase thar originally linked the second floor to the summit. The highlight of the floor would be the glass floor, located 57 meters above the ground, which offers you a crystal clear view of the esplanade.
Discover the Eiffel Tower First Floor
The Second Floor
The last stop before you reach the top, the second floor is a place of wonder. From here, you can enjoy the view of Paris in all its glory. Spot some of the most important attractions in the city, such as the Louvre, Grand Palais, the Seine, and the Notre Dame, among others. You can also treat your taste buds with dishes from their Michelin-starred restaurant, the Jules Verne. The upper level of this floor houses La Verrière, a gift shop where you will find the largest collection of recreations of the Tower.
Inside the Eiffel Tower Second Floor
The Top
The top of the Eiffel Tower is divided into two floors (one open-air and another indoor). Enjoy a flute or two of champagne as you enjoy the views of Paris. You will also find a reconstruction of Gustave Eiffel’s office, complete with wax figures of Eiffel, his daughter Claire and Thomas Edison. Get a glimpse into history as you view the model of the top of the Tower from 1889. Using the panoramic maps, you can locate your yourself and get an idea of how far the major world cities are from where you stand.
Explore the Eiffel Tower Summit
The Gardens
Completed in 2018, the Gardens form an important part of the Eiffel Tower experience. The gardens are free for entry and visitors have to walk through these gardens in order to access the esplanade and enter the Tower. Home to over 60 varieties of trees, you can enjoy lush greenery as you enjoy breathtaking views of the tower. Spot the the majestic Sycamore tree that was planted over 200 years ago. The western part of the garden is also home to a cave that features a small waterfall.
Visit the Trocadero GardensBrief History of the Eiffel Tower
The plan to build Eiffel Tower was conceived as part of preparations for the World's Fair of 1889. The competition called for the construction of a square iron tower that would be be 300 meters tall with 125-meter sides. The plan proposed by Gustave Eiffel, Maurice Kœchlin and Emile Nouguier was chosen from the 107 submissions.
By June 1884, the blueprints for the project and blueprints were finalized. It took five months to build the foundation of the tower and another 21 months to finish assembling all the metal pieces of the tower. The construction work began in January 1887 and was finished on March 31, 1889.
The tower found itself to be at the center of fierce debate even before the construction was complete. However, this changed once the tower was finished. Today, the Eiffel Tower has come to be seen as a symbol of Paris.
Architecture & Design of the Eiffel Tower
Emile Nouguier and Maurice Koechlin's design for the Eiffel Tower featured a large pylon with four columns of lattice work girders, separated at the base and coming together at the top. Architect Stephen Sauvestre was commissioned to work on the project's appearance.
Sauvestre proposed various ornamental elements to decorate the structure including stonework pedestals at the foot, monumental arches to connect the columns and the first level, and glass-walled halls on each level.
The tower was constructed using 18,000 pieces, each of them specifically designed and created to an accuracy of a tenth of a millimeter.
Know MoreEiffel Tower in Popular Culture
Despite the strong criticism against the tower, over the years, the structure has taken on an integral space in the minds of people. Artistes from across the world have paid homage to it in varied ways.
Painting and the Eiffel Tower
Right from Georges Seurat, who painted it in 1888, before it was even finished to Marc Chagal in 1955, the Eiffel Tower has been the subject for the works of many artists. Some notable works include:
- La Tour Eiffel, Georges Seurat, 1888
- Moi-même, Le Douanier Rousseau, 1890
- La Ville de Paris, Robert Delaunay, 1910/1912
- Le Champ de Mars, Marc Chagall, 1954/1955
The Eiffel Tower on Big Screen
The Eiffel Tower was filmed for the first time by Louis Lumière in 1897, and has since appeared on the big screen several times.
- Superman II (1980)
- Da Vinci code (2006)
- The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
- Rush Hours III (2007)
- Ratatouille (2007)
- Midnight in Paris (2011)
Scientific Uses of the Eiffel Tower
Gustave Eiffel gave the Tower some scientific uses in order to prolong its lifespan. These uses include being a site for meteorological and astronomical observations, physics experiments, an optical telegraph communications point, a beacon for electric lighting, a strategic vantage point, and wind studies.
Since 1889, the tower has been used as a laboratory of measurements and scientific experiments. A meteorology laboratory was installed on the third floor on the day after the Tower’s inauguration. Between 1903 and 1905, gravity instruments were installed as he had a passion for aerodynamics. Gustave Eiffel even encouraged numerous scientific experiments on the Tower such as Foucault’s Pendulum.
The tower was also installed with an antenna for wireless broadcasting in 1903 and has been used for making radio transmissions since. A television antenna was first installed on the tower in 1957.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eiffel Tower in France
A. The Eiffel Tower is a 300 meter wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. Named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the structure, the tower has come to be a global cultural icon of France.
A. One of the most recognizable structures in the world, the Eiffel Tower is an architectural wonder that attracts more visitors than any other paid tourist attraction in the world. Apart from this, the tower also serves an important role in television and radio broadcasts, making it even more integral to the city.
A. The Eiffel Tower ticket prices start at €45.
A. The tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel, an entrepreneur, along with engineers Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, and architect Stephen Sauvestre.
A. The Eiffel Tower was constructed between 26 January 1887 and 31st March 1889 for the 1889 World's Fair. The Eiffel Tower was originally built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
A. The Eiffel Tower is located at Champs de Mars at 5 Avenue Anatole France within the 7th arrondissement of Paris.
A. The Eiffel Tower is accessible by public transport. You can reach the Eiffel Tower via metro, RER, bus, Vélib bike, boat or even by car.
A. The Eiffel Tower timings are 9:30 AM to 11:45 PM on all days. Until 17 June, the tower's opening times are 9:30 AM- 10:45 AM, excpet for 26 May to 30, 2022 and 3 June to 5, 2022, when the Eiffel Tower will remain open until 11:45 PM.
A. The Eiffel Tower is composed of three levels. On the first floor, you can explore the museum exhibits, walk over the glass floor, grab a bite to eat, and shop for souvenirs. However, it might be better to save your appetite for the second floor, which houses the Jules Verne restaurant. Make sure you take in the spectacular views of the city from the observation area. And finally, at the top you can take in panoramic views of Paris’ famous landmarks, have a glass of bubbly at the champagne bar, visit Gustav Eiffel’s office and take photos at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
A. Yes, the Eiffel Tower is home to several restaurants, including the famous Jules Verne restaurant, Madame Brasserie and the Champagne Bar at the summit. It is also home to several buffets and a Macaron Bar.
