Happy 173rd Birthday, Eiffel Tower
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“My tower will be the tallest edifice ever erected by man.”
If the Statue of Liberty is the most recognized iconic symbol of the USA, the Eiffel Tower is the global symbol of France and one of the most well-known structures in the world. La Tour Eiffel, known locally as ‘La Dame de Fer’ (Iron Lady), stands 1,063’ (324m) above the Champ de Mars in Paris, its wrought iron lattice tower proudly overlooking the City of Lights.
First Concept Drawing for the Eiffel Tower, by Emile Nougier and Maurice Koechlin (1884)
On March 31st, 1889, 173 years ago tomorrow, France unveiled Gustave Eiffel’s magnum opus at the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) in Paris. The centerpiece of the exposition took two years to build and commemorated the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
According to several sources, before the Eiffel Tower's construction, no structure had ever been built to a height of 300 m, and many believed it was impossible. So much for nay-sayers! From the Eiffel Tower website, take a look at the progression of the tower’s construction to completion.
Two Years to Construct in time for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris
It was, however, never intended that the tower would remain in place, but rather it was designed to be dismantled. It came close in 1909 to disassembly, but was saved because it was found to be useful as a radio transmission tower. Good thing they didn’t demolish it because today it’s the most visited site in France and the most visited monument with an entrance fee in the entire world. An estimated 10 million people visited the free-access forecourt in 2025, and 6.75 million of them paid to enter the site. An average of 25,000 people ascend the tower every day. In 1991, it was named part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Originally standing at 984’ (300m), it was the tallest man-made structure in the world when it was first built, and it held that title until 1929 when the Chrysler Building in New York City was built and topped it at 1046’ (319m). Throughout the years, as radio and broadcast antennas were added, the Eiffel Tower grew another 99 feet, and the Tower now stands at 1,083’ (330m)… taller than the Chrysler Building.
A little trivia… the Tower is repainted about every seven years to prevent it from rusting. It takes 60 tons of paint to complete, and it’s been repainted about 20 times since it was built. The colors have changed throughout the years; it’s currently varying shades of a bronzish color known as Eiffel Tower Brown, which was Gustave Eiffel’s original color choice.
The colors of the Eiffel Tower throughout the years
Wanna go? For €14.80/pp (~$17 – exchange rate €1 = $1.15), visitors can climb the 327 stairs from the ground level to the 1st level and another 347 stairs to the 2nd level, or take the elevator for €23.50/pp. The top level is only accessible via elevator and costs an additional €13.20/pp. Add a glass of champagne while you’re there for another €21 (~$24). Why wouldn’t you splurge? When in France… climb the stairs and drink champagne. It’s part of the “experience”.
Each level offers a multitude of things to see and experience. From gardens and terraces on the ground floor, to history exhibits, restaurants, boutiques, gift shops, souvenir shops, and observation decks. A transparent glass floor on the 1st level at 185’ (57m) provides that giddy, dizzy thrill and tests your depth perception response. The 2nd level has the best panoramic views of Paris. The top level has a reproduction of Eiffel’s office, and the views of Paris are said to be fantastic… especially at night.
Photo credit: Animal Life Club
The first and only time we visited the Eiffel Tower was in 1995, and it took my breath away… figuratively and literally. We were on a business trip and I was in an air cast nursing a broken ankle at the time, so we didn’t climb the 674 steps to Level 2, but rather wimped out and took the elevator, and we didn’t get to the top level at all. Though it was awesome, we missed so much. I think I’d like to return to Paris without a broken ankle. I guess that means I need to put it on ‘the list’. Great idea!
Though there are a multitude of tours you can book, the Eiffel Tower has its own terrific official website with opening times, prices, e-ticket purchase, and scads of information about what to see and do while you’re visiting. Check it out in English here.