The Eiffel Tower was originally intended to be a temporary structure, built as the entrance arch for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World's Fair). Designed by Gustave Eiffel's company, it was scheduled to be dismantled in 1909 but was saved because its height made it invaluable as a radiotelegraph station, proving its worth for communications.
Construction and Design Secrets
The construction of the Eiffel Tower was an engineering marvel of its time, completed in a record 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days. Work began in January 1887 and finished on March 31, 1889. This rapid assembly was possible because all 18,038 individual iron parts were prefabricated at a factory in a suburb of Paris, each designed with an accuracy of a tenth of a millimetre.
A Giant Meccano Set
The structure is held together by an astonishing 2.5 million rivets. A team of four men was required for each rivet: one to heat it, one to hold it in place, a third to shape the head, and a fourth to hammer it. This meticulous process ensured the tower's immense strength and durability, which has allowed it to stand for over a century.
Gustave Eiffel's Private Apartment
At the very top of the tower, on the third level, Gustave Eiffel built a small private apartment for himself. He used this exclusive space, located 276 metres (906 feet) above the ground, to host famous guests, including the American inventor Thomas Edison. Today, the apartment has been restored and is on display for visitors to see.
Surprising Tower Trivia
Beyond its construction, the Eiffel Tower holds many secrets and has a rich history filled with peculiar events and characteristics. It is more than just an iron lattice tower; it's a dynamic structure with a life of its own.
- It changes height with the seasons. The tower is made of wrought iron, which expands in the summer heat and contracts in the winter cold. This thermal expansion can cause the top of the tower to rise by as much as 15 cm (6 inches).
- It was once the world's tallest structure. Upon its completion in 1889, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to become the tallest man-made structure in the world. It held this title for 41 years until the Chrysler Building was completed in New York City in 1930.
- It gets repainted every 7 years. To protect it from the elements, the tower is repainted by hand. This massive undertaking requires approximately 60 tonnes of paint. The tower has not always been its current bronze-like shade; it was once painted a reddish-brown and even a yellow-ochre.
- It was almost sold for scrap metal. In 1925, a con artist named Victor Lustig managed to "sell" the Eiffel Tower to a scrap metal dealer by convincing him it was being dismantled. He posed as a government official and took a substantial bribe, only for the fraud to be discovered later.
- It has a military history. During the Battle of the Marne in 1914, signals sent from the tower's radio transmitter helped direct French troops, playing a crucial role in the Allied victory. Its value for communications is what ultimately saved it from being torn down.
Visiting the Iron Lady
Today, the Eiffel Tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world, welcoming around 7 million visitors annually. It stands 330 metres (1,083 feet) tall, including its antennas, and weighs approximately 10,100 tonnes. The lifts inside the tower travel a combined distance of about 103,000 kilometres (64,000 miles) each year — equivalent to circling the Earth 2.5 times. To experience this icon for yourself, you can book tickets in advance to avoid long queues.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps are in the Eiffel Tower?
There are 1,710 steps to the very top of the Eiffel Tower, but the stairs from the second floor to the summit are not open to the public. Visitors can climb 674 steps to reach the second floor observation deck.
Why does the Eiffel Tower sparkle?
The sparkling light show, which features 20,000 lightbulbs, was initially installed to celebrate the new millennium on 31 December 1999. The display was so popular that it was made a permanent feature in 2003, and it now occurs for five minutes every hour on the hour after sunset.
Was anyone injured during construction?
Despite the immense height and rudimentary safety standards of the late 19th century, only one worker died during the construction of the tower. This was a remarkably low number for such a large-scale project at the time, a testament to Gustave Eiffel's strict safety protocols.
Ready to witness these facts for yourself? Explore our range of tickets and guided tours to make the most of your visit to this Parisian icon.