History of The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the French Revolution.
It was initially criticized by some of France’s leading artists and intellectuals for its design, but it has become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world.
During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to become the tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years until the Chrysler Building in New York City was finished in 1930. Its construction took 2 years, 2 months and 5 days.
Originally, it was intended as a temporary exhibit, so it was almost torn down and scrapped in 1909.
However, city officials opted to save it after recognizing its value as a radiotelegraph station. During World War II, Hitler initially ordered the demolition of the city’s most cherished symbol, but the command was never carried out.
Also during the German occupation of Paris, French resistance fighters famously cut the Eiffel Tower’s elevator cables so that the Nazis had to climb the stairs. Since the 1980s, the monument has regularly been renovated, restored and adapted for an ever growing public.
Tourism
As France’s symbol in the world, today it welcomes almost 7 million visitors a year (around 75% of whom are foreigners), making it the most visited monument that you have to pay for in the world.
Over the decades, the Eiffel Tower has seen remarkable achievements, extraordinary light shows, and prestigious visitors. Since its opening in 1889 almost 250 million visitors regardless of age or origin have come from all over the planet to see it.
The tower has three levels for visitors, with restaurants on the first and second levels. The top level’s upper platform is 276m above the ground – the highest observation deck accessible to the public in the European Union.
Tickets can be purchased to ascend by stairs or elevator to the first and second levels. The climb from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the climb from the first level to the second. Although there is a staircase to the top level, it is usually only accessible by lift.
