tour eiffel fun facts

28 Fun Facts about The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower or La Tour Eiffel in French is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. It was designed as the showpiece of the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris in remembrance of the French Revolution’s centennial as well as to show off France’s modern mechanical know-how on a global scale. Mission accomplished!

For a closer look into this architectural marvel that’s on every Paris itinerary here’s 28 fun facts about the Eiffel Tower…

1. The Eiffel Tower welcomes millions each year

The Eiffel Tower has welcomed over 300 million people and still welcomes almost 7 million visitors a year. Quite impressive!

2. It was built to mark the 100 th anniversary of the French Revolution

Paris hosted the 1889 World’s Fair. Artists from around the nation sent in interesting plans for a structure to mark the entrance to the fair on the Champ-de-Mars.

3. Eiffel et Compagnie was the firm that designed and built the Eiffel tower

Gustave Eiffel, a bridge-builder, architect, and metals expert owned this consulting and construction firm. In fact, this wasn’t the first grand project, he also worked in the early 1880s on the Garabit Viaduct, the highest bridge in the world, at the time. Before landing the World’s Fair project, he also helped design the Statue of Liberty.

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

4. It’s a relative to the Statue of Liberty

Eiffel’s company was invited to plan the interior frame for the Statue of Liberty, a task assigned to his right-hand employee, Maurice Koechlin.

5. The original design was rejected

After viewing his senior engineer’s design Eiffel felt it was too minimalist and he was instructed to include more details and flourishes in his redesign. The final design was approved in 1884.

6. Who were the engineers behind the project

While Eiffel earned the naming rights for the Tower, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier drew the original design teamed up with French architect, Stephen Sauvestre.

7. Are you up for a climb!

Another cool fact is that it’s possible to climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  If you’re feeling very fit, you can climb to the top – beware though – there are 1,665 steps! So most people take the lift.  Little known fact: The Eiffel Tower actually has a total of 5 lifts!  If you plan on using the lift, It costs up to 26,10€ for a ticket to the top. ( Price as of September 2021 ).

8. The building of the Eiffel Tower required tons of metal and manpower

300 steelworkers spent two years, two months, and five days, from 1887 to 1889, constructing the Tower, using more than 18,000 individual metallic parts, 2.5 million rivets, and 40 tons of paint.

9. Eiffel’s tower initial height was 985 feet

In March 1889, upon its completion, the Tower measured 300 meters (985 feet) high. The fact is that this measurement isn’t static, cold weather can shrink the Tower by up to six inches.

10. It was the tallest structure in the world

For 41 years, the Eiffel Tower stood higher than any building or structure in the world until in 1930 it was surpassed by the Chrysler Building in New York with a height of 1046 feet.

11. A large committee protested the tower

Did you know that the author Guy de Maupassant, Alexandre Dumas, Jr., and around 300 other artists and intellectuals, signed a petition opposing the project? They surely did! In fact, they thought the Tower is useless and monstrous.

12. Nevertheless, the Eiffel Tower was an instant hit

The Eiffel Tower was visited by nearly 2 million people during the Fair, spending $1.4 million on tickets, making the 1889 World Fair one of the few to actually turn a profit.

13. The tower was only supposed to stand for 20 years

The Tower was scheduled to be disassembled in 1909 until they’ve realized that its apex was the perfect place for a telegraphy antenna. The wireless telegraph transmitter helped jam German communications during the First World War.

14. The tower moves!

The tower was built to withstand even the strongest winds, and never sway more than 4.5 inches.

15. It has a secret apartment at the top of the tower

On the 3rd floor of the Tower, Gustave Eiffel had a secret apartment built exclusively to entertain from. It was off limits to the public for years but can now be looked at through a window by ticket holders.

16. Hitler wanted the Tower destroyed

When France was occupied by Germany during the Second World War, Hitler ordered that the Eiffel Tower be torn down, but thankfully France refused and the order was never followed through.

17. Want to mail a letter, you can try the Tower’s post office

In fact, in the tiny post office, you can even pick up une carte postale and a stamp and have it mailed from the Eiffel Tower’s post office with its unique postmark.

18. It has a scientific laboratory

Mr. Eiffel built a meteorology laboratory on the Tower’s third floor, where he performed studies in physics, aerodynamics, and built a wind tunnel.

19. Many scientists’ names are engraved on the Eiffel Tower

To be more precise, 72 names of French scientists and engineers working in the 19 th century were engraved on the Eiffel Tower.

20. How does the Eiffel Tower stay looking good?

Every 7 years, around 60 tons of paint is applied to the tower to keep the tower looking good, and also to keep the iron from rusting.  Also, the tower is covered in 20,000 lightbulbs, making it absolutely sparkle at night!

21. Underneath there’s a military bunker

Underneath the Tower’s south pillar there’s a secret military bunker that may connect to the nearby Ecole Militaire via a long tunnel.

Spot the difference (Blackpool Tower, Lancashire, England).

22. It’s not unique

There are 54 replicas of the Eiffel Tower of varying sizes of scale. Blackpool Tower on the English north-west coast is one of the oldest. Other replicas include one in Las Vegas, USA and there are six in Russia !

23. But there is only one genuine Eiffel Tower

In 1991 The Eiffel Tower was declared a UNESCO world heritage site.

24. Pssst! Would you like to buy it?

Incredibly, the Eiffel Tower was sold by a con artist named Victor Lustig for scrap metal.  Not once, but twice!

25. It’s in the movies. A lot.

The Eiffel Tower appears in lots of famous films, including ‘A View to a Kill’ (James Bond), ‘Superman 2’,‘Lucy’, and ‘Hugo’, to name just a few.

26. Raise your glass!

We’ve saved this amazing fact for the end. On the top floor, you can reward yourself with a glass of champagne from the Champagne Bar. A glass of bubbly and a spectacular view with that special someone, just the perfect ending on your Paris journey! The tower is also home to two restaurants – La bulle Parisienne, a French-style bistro, and the world famous Jules Verne restaurant .  Make sure you make a booking if you fancy dining here!

Bonus facts

27. The Eiffel Tower is held together by more than 2.5 million rivets!

28. In 2014, to mark it’s 125th anniversary, the British Virgin Islands launched a special tower-shaped $10 coin.

FAQs about The Eiffel Tower

How frequently is the eiffel tower painted.

The Eiffel Tower is repainted once every seven years to prevent it from deteriorating.

What’s inside the Eiffel Tower?

The Eiffel Tower is more than just a simple structure - it houses restaurants, shops and museums!

Can you walk under the Eiffel Tower?

Yes, but there are security barriers - you won’t be able to freely stroll underneath.

Do you know any fun facts about the Eiffel Tower?  Share them here in the comments below!

nice article and facts, thank for sharing..

I love all the info it gives you

The former chief engineer of the tower bought a brand new Renault Dauphine car, picked it up and drove to his pace of work in his new car. He parked it in his allocated spot below the tower and walked away. He was a short distance away when he heard a thud behind him, turned and saw a woman laying across his car. She had jumped from the first floor but the car had effectively broken her fall as the owner had left his window(s) slightly open. She lived but his car was written off! Furthermore, his wife had never even seen the car. (I am unable to provide a date but would assume it was in the 50s/60s as it was a new Renault Dauphine.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This page was last modified on December 22, 2023. Suggest an edit

Related 'Europe' Facts

39 Ultimate Facts about the 1980s

10 Brilliant Facts about Brittany

12 Breezy Facts about the Blue Lagoon

Share these facts, there are 1000s of interesting and fun facts to learn about our planet..

Explore our world map to discover some fascinating facts for every country…

Latest Facts

25 Splendid Facts about Sephora

8 Sensational Facts About Spider-Man

9 Affordable Facts about Amazon

25 Adventurous Facts about One Piece

27 Great Facts about the Grammys

• Fact of the Day
• In This Year
• On This Day
• attractions
• Eiffel Tower
• Gustave Eiffel

27 Fun Facts About The Eiffel Tower In Paris You Probably Didn’t Know

Want to learn more about the Iron Lady? This post will give you all the  fun facts about the Eiffel Tower  you probably didn’t know before!

The Eiffel Tower or La Tour Eiffel in French is one of the most iconic monuments of France and the world. It has mesmerized and captured everyone’s attention since its construction in 1889.

Paris is recognized as the City of Love and, by extension, the Eiffel Tower is considered one of the most romantic attractions in the city .

It is one of the Parisian landmarks that people fly from across the world to come and see at least once in their lifetime and it has also become one of the most popular proposal sites in the world.

Disclaimer:  This post might contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) should you choose to sign up for a program or make a purchase using one of our links. It’s okay – We love all of the products we recommend anyway, and you will too! Also, that commission helps us keep this awesome free blog up to date! You can read our  full disclosure here  for more details!

However, before it became the sensation it is today, it was considered ugly by Parisians who deemed it unfit among the city’s historical buildings, and its lifespan was meant to be only 20 years.

But as its fame grew, it was decided that it would be permanent and as a Francophile, I couldn’t be any happier.

If you want to know some interesting information about this famous attraction, here are 27 fun facts about the Eiffel Tower in Paris that you probably didn’t know.

Before You Go, Here’s How to Plan Your Visit To Paris: Practical Quick Tips

WHERE TO STAY Best Eiffel Tower Views:  Hôtel Le Walt  (9.0) Luxury stay:  Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel  (8.2) Mid-range stay:  Hôtel Eiffel  (8.7) Budget Stay:  People – Paris Bercy  (8.9) Apartment Rental:  Résidence Charles Floquet  (9.1)  

BEST GUIDED TOURS Louvre Museum guided tour : (4.5/5) Seine River Dinner Cruise : (4.7/5) Montmartre Walking Tour : (4.8/5) Le Marais Walking Food Tour : (4.5/5) Versailles Guided Tour : (4.8/5) Eiffel Tower Guided Tour : (4.4/5) 

• Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more.
• Prepare your trip extensively with this Paris Travel guidebook .
• Don’t forget a universal travel adapter , a travel neck pouch , and comfortable walking shoes .
• Consider getting either the museum pass or the Paris city pass if you plan to visit many attractions. The city pass comes with free transportation and access to the hop-on-hop-off bus. You can read my Paris museum pass review to see if it’s right for you.
• Book this private transfer from CDG airport to Paris to avoid the hustle of figuring out how to get to Paris.

Fun Facts About the Eiffel Tower

It may not be a world wonder but it is a wonder of Paris nonetheless, one that houses a few interesting anecdotes within its pillars.

To learn more about it, here are some of the interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower from its reason for construction to historical events.

1. It’s the most visited paid tourist attraction in the world

About 7 million people visit La Tour Eiffel each year making it the most visited paid attraction in the world.

Since its opening, a whopping 300 million visitors have been to this tourist attraction.

This is not counting the people who sit at Champ de Mars admiring it and the countless others who take photos with it as a backdrop from various Parisian streets , alleys, and rooftops but rather those who climb to its various floor to admire the beauty of Paris from above.

With those figures, it takes the crown of the most visited PAID tourist attraction worldwide.

If you also want to add to those figures, you can book this Eiffel Tower entry ticket to climb to its summit and take in the stunning views of Paris. Alternatively, you can opt for this Eiffel Tower guided tour to learn more about its magnificent history from a friendly tour guide.

You can also check out my recommended tours and activities in Paris in the widget below   all offered by my favorite tour provider GetYourGuide .

2. The Eiffel Tower was Initially meant to be temporary

One of the surprising yet interesting Eiffel Tower facts most people don’t know is that it was initially meant to be temporary.

To commemorate 100 years of the French Revolution, Paris was set to host the Exposition Universelle or World’s Fair in 1889 and the Eiffel Tower was built to mark this occasion.

It was to be dismantled after 20 years in 1909. Then, the French realized that the antenna added at the top by Gustave Eiffel could be used for wireless communication.

In fact, this antenna helped the French immensely during World War I by jamming German signals. Post that, it has been used for radio and TV broadcasts.

Related post:  Fun facts About Paris

3. The Eiffel Tower Was Once Sold

One of the unbelievable facts about the Eiffel Tower is that it was once sold! Yes, you read that right.

A con artist named Victor Lustig will forever go down in history as the man who sold the Eiffel Tower not once but twice. This is quite an interesting story you need to read.

So how does one go about selling the Eiffel Tower? In 1925, Lustig found himself in Paris and luckily landed on a newspaper that mentioned that the Eiffel Tower was in ruins and the government didn’t have enough funds to maintain it.

As a smart con artist, he knew this was his next con! He forged documents showing that he was a government official and all the necessary documents he would need to pull off this con.

He met with a group of scrap metal dealers and convinced them that the government was ready to sell the Eiffel Tower as scrap and since they didn’t want the public to know of this arrangement, he was chosen to oversee the sale.

Several metal dealers listened and believed his arguments. Still, he landed on one of them — André Poisson, who seemed like easy prey as he was insecure about his position and he wanted to prove that he deserved to be among the respectable people of Paris.

The deal was successful and Poisson paid the amount Lustig was asking for the Eiffel Tower and an extra as a bribe to make sure he was the chosen one! After the con, Lustig fled France for Austria.

During this time, he kept checking the newspapers to see if Poisson had reported the scam but since he knew Poisson would be embarrassed for the world to know that he fell for such a scam, the crime was never reported.

After a few months, Lustig decided to come back to France to run the same con but this time the police were alerted. He didn’t wait to be captured so fled to the US.

Related Post: Interesting Facts About Sacre Coeur

Eiffel Tower design — Gustave Eiffel , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

4. Gustave Eiffel technically did NOT design the Eiffel Tower

Although his namesake, the Eiffel Tower, was NOT ACTUALLY designed by Gustave Eiffel himself.

His company was the one awarded with the charge of the design and construction of the Tower.

Gustave, who put in the most investment, in turn, entrusted this task to two of his senior engineers, Maurice Koechlin, whom he trusted a lot and worked with frequently, and Emile Nouguier and architect Stephen Sauvestre.

The 2 engineers were inspired by a 19 th -century bridge design used to build this monument but since Gustave Eiffel was in charge of its construction, it was named after him and not Emile Nouguier who came up with the very first design of the tower which he had named 300-Meter-Tall Pylon.

5. The amount of metal and labor used was a lot

This might sound like an obvious fact given the size of the Eiffel Tower, but do you know roughly how much material and labor were involved?

Here’s an insight! 7,000+ metric tons of puddling iron were used to produce 18,000 pieces of wrought iron that make up the structure.

In addition, millions of rivets, nuts, bolts, and tons of paint were also used. All this involved 300+ steelworkers working tirelessly to give us this landmark.

Related post:  Interesting Facts About the Louvre Museum

6. The Eiffel Tower is Very Heavy

With the amount of iron used, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the Eiffel Tower is very heavy.

It weighs a whopping 10,100 tons! Of that, 7,300 tons is for the metal frame and the extra 60 tons is for the coat of paint it wears.

The Eiffel Tower in 1888 – http://expositions.bnf.fr/universelles/ , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

7. It Took Two years, two months, and five days to complete the Tower

While still talking about its construction, another Eiffel Tower fact you should know is that the whole thing took two years, two months, and five days to be completed.

Construction started on 26th January 1887 and ended on 31st March 1889 which was quite an impressive amount of time to put together such a landmark.

8. The Eiffel Tower’s height changes

Another interesting fact about the Eiffel Tower is that its height changes.

The original height of the Eiffel Tower was 300m (985 ft) but because of the amount of metal used, it undergoes the natural phenomenon of thermal expansion.

Hence, the structure shrinks during the winter due to contraction and expands during the summer but the beauty of it is that the engineers put it together so that it doesn’t expand by more than 5-7 inches (15 cm) at a time.

It also tilts away from the sun on expansion due to unequal heat distribution.

Aside from the expansion, the height of the Eiffel Tower has immensely increased due to the addition of radio and TV antennas.

As of February 2023, the Eiffel Tower measures 330 meters (1,083 feet) and who knows maybe it will keep growing.

Related post:  Cool Facts About French Food

9. The Tower sways with the wind

One would assume that such a big and heavy structure can withstand the force of nature, but the Eiffel Tower sways if the wind is too strong.

Its base is heavier than the apex that thins out at the top, which could be one of the reasons why the Tower moves with powerful gusts of wind at the top.

But the engineers took this into account while building it. It was designed in such a way as not to sway more than 4.5 inches or 11 cm.

Today, though rare, the tower is closed off to public access when the wind is too strong.

Painting the Eiffel Tower in 1910 – Agence Rol , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

10. The Eiffel Tower has changed colors over the years

I don’t mean personality-wise but the Eiffel Tower’s color has changed since it was built.

The Tower has to be periodically repainted, which is done by hand to protect it from the effects of heavy machinery, and the engineers would choose the colors used when undertaking the job.

When it was built in 1889, the initial coat of the Eiffel Tower was brick-red/Venetian red.

Subsequently, it was painted ochre-brown in 1892, shades of yellow in 1899, and yellowish-brown in 1907, and since 1968, it’s an “Eiffel Tower brown,” or the bronze that we now know it to be.

11. The Eiffel Tower has to be repainted by hand every 7 years

In connection to the previous point, the Eiffel Tower paint wears off with time and due to forces of nature like rain.

Gustave Eiffel calculated an approximate interval of 7 years between repaints so that is what has been maintained on average till now.

The Tower has been repainted 18 times since its initial coat, with a recent one undertaken ahead of the 2024 Olympics. Because of the periodic repaints, it does not rust despite the amount of iron used.

Related post:  Fun Facts About the French Language

12. It is also painted in an ombre manner

The Eiffel Tower is split into 3 levels — bottom, middle, and top. For each section, a different shade is applied.

Hence, three distinct coats of paint having different tones or color variations are used for the top, middle, and bottom floors.

The bottom level gets the darkest color of the lot, while the shades get lighter with altitude.

This is done so that the structure stands out against the sky while also giving the effect of color uniformity.

13. The Eiffel Tower is Made of Iron, not Steel

While still talking about its physical looks, here is another one of the Eiffel Tower facts you may not know.

Contrary to what many may believe, the Eiffel Tower is made of iron, not steel. The iron used was obtained from Pompey forges in Eastern France.

14. It has 72 names engraved on it

Though Gustave Eiffel is the most resounding name regarding the Eiffel Tower’s history, other names are connected to the landmark.

There are 72 names engraved on the borders of each 4 sides of the tower under the balcony of the first floor.

It is believed that Gustave wanted to celebrate smart minds, scholars, and scientists who lived and worked between 1789 and 1889 as a way of recognizing their contribution to science. These include engineers, railway specialists, mechanics, mathematicians, and more.

Though the names had been covered during a paint job at the beginning of the 20th century, they were restored in 1986 and 1987 and can be seen today.

15. There Was An ice rink inside the Eiffel Tower Once

You’d be surprised to know what the Eiffel Tower holds inside it. One of the interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower for kids and adults alike is that there was an ice rink once.

It was opened in 2015 and was functional during the peak winter from December 2016 to February 2017.

The rink was built on the 1st floor, 57 meters (187 ft) above the ground. Before this, a roller-skating rink was built there in 2006, and a diving pool in 2007.

Erika Aya Eiffel , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Related Post: Interesting Facts About the Arc de Triomphe

16. Someone actually married the Eiffel Tower

Before I tell you about this weird and unorthodox fact about the Eiffel Tower, you should know that there is a condition called paraphilia which involves people developing significant relationships with inanimate objects.

A woman named Erika Aya , a competitive archer from the USA has this condition and that’s where this fact stems from.

She “married” the Eiffel Tower in 2007 in a commitment ceremony subsequently calling herself Mrs. Eiffel or Erika Eiffel.

17. It was the tallest structure in the world for 4 decades

Until 1930, the Eiffel Tower stood higher than any building or structure in the world. Then the Chrysler Building in New York at 318.8 m (1046 ft) surpassed it.

In 1931, the Empire State Building measuring 443.1 m (1454 ft) overtook the Chrysler Building which meant that the Eiffel Tower was no longer the tallest structure on earth.

However, an antenna added to the Eiffel Tower increased its height by 30m (98 ft) to reach 330 meters (1,083 feet) as of 2023, making it taller than the Chrysler Building but still couldn’t beat the Empire State Building.

18. It’s technically illegal to photograph the Eiffel Tower at night

This might be one of the most astonishing facts about the Eiffel Tower. For those unaware, the Eiffel Tower lights up every top of the hour each night in a sparkling and twinkling display of light. For this effect, roughly 20,000 lights are used.

You might have seen many images of this on social media, however, you could be fined for taking a photograph of this light display and sharing it without authorization.

Since it is copyrighted under French law, the French government classifies it as artwork that can’t be redistributed without appropriate authorization.

Don’t get me wrong though! You can absolutely take photos of the Eiffel Tower at night and post them on social media but what is considered illegal is professionally printing those photos and selling them or using them in commercials without proper authorization.

Related Post: Best places to take photos of the Eiffel Tower

19. The Eiffel Tower was not liked or well-received by Parisians

Another one of the Eiffel Tower interesting facts is that some Parisians were not happy about the Eiffel Tower being built.

Hundreds of people, including local artists, and intellectuals like French author Guy de Maupassant and Charles Garnier, the architect of Palais Garnier protested against the Eiffel Tower being built.

In fact, Guy de Maupassant hated it so much that he ate his lunch at the Eiffel Tower as it was the only place he could not see this “ugly” structure.

They claimed that it would ruin the beauty of Paris. A petition was also signed to this effect and sent to the newspaper and the French government condemning it.

In their words, it was called a monstrosity and ugly structure but fortunately, nobody paid heed to it, and the Eiffel Tower was built anyway.

Related Post: Interesting Facts About Palais Garnier

20. A mayor rode down the Eiffel Tower stairs

Here’s another fun fact about the Eiffel Tower. In 1923, the future Mayor of Montmartre, journalist Pierre Labric, cycled nearly 350 stairs from the first to the ground floor of the Eiffel Tower. The reason it became an issue was that he did so without permission.

After this event, several others took permission and rode up or down the stairs of the Eiffel Tower. In most cases, it was to celebrate the Tower’s anniversaries.

21. The Eiffel Tower was almost demolished

Germany occupied France from 1940 to 1944. Towards the end, Hitler was about to lose the capital to the Allied Forces and that’s when he ordered the then-military governor of Paris, Dietrich von Choltitz to destroy the capital city and everything in it, including the Eiffel Tower.

Fortunately, von Choltitz did not follow through with this order and the Eiffel Tower still stands.

Otherwise, Hitler would have been responsible for destroying one of France’s most iconic landmarks .

22. It is the most replicated monument in the world

Although the Eiffel Tower might not be included as a wonder of the world, it has inspired people worldwide to make replicas of it.

You will find its lookalikes in China, Japan, the USA (Las Vegas and Ohio), Macau, Greece, and Paris, Texas. Most look similar with variations in size or design.

23. The Eiffel Tower is Also the Most Photographed Monument in the World

Being an iconic structure, it shouldn’t surprise you that it is the most photographed monument in the world.

More than 7 million people photograph this famous landmark every year.

Related Post: Fun Facts About France

24. There’s an apartment at the top of the Tower

Want to know more Eiffel Tower fun facts? Here’s another interesting one.

Although Gustave Eiffel did not design the tower, when his engineers built it, he got a private apartment made for himself at the top of the tower, though he never slept in it since it had no bedroom.

Given its uniqueness, he hosted some famous guests there, including Thomas Edison, and no one else was allowed to enter it unless he invited them.

The apartment has wax figures of Eiffel himself, Thomas Edison, and Claire, Eiffel’s daughter. It is now open to the public and you can even tour it on certain days.

25. The Tower housed a laboratory

The 3rd floor of the Eiffel Tower had a meteorology lab. Gustave Eiffel used it for personal research and conducted various scientific experiments in physics and aerodynamics.

This lab is said to be the oldest working aeronautical lab. In 1909, a wind tunnel was also built at the foot of the tower which was subsequently used by other scientists.

Later, a weather station was built at the top. The tower is also where cosmic rays were discovered by physicist and Jesuit priest Theodor Wulf.

26. There’s also a military bunker underneath the Tower

Of all the Eiffel Tower facts, this should be the most fascinating. If you’ve read my post on interesting facts about the Paris Catacombs , you would know about the military bunkers there.

Turns out, that is not the only place with bunkers. A caged entrance near the structure’s south pillar leads to a secret underground military bunker beneath the Eiffel Tower.

The French are said to have used this when the Germans occupied France. It was eventually converted into a mini museum which you can tour.

Related Post: Interesting Facts About Mona Lisa

27. The Eiffel Tower Has a Bollywood connection

We all know that many movies have been pictured using the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop or a prop.

Superman II (1980), A View to a Kill (1987), Ratatouille (2007), and Men in Black (2019) are some of them.

In addition to Hollywood movies, Bollywood films also incorporated the tower in the storyline, like Evening in Paris (1967) and Queen (2013).

But, the Eiffel Tower has another Bollywood connection. One of the descendants of Maurice Koechlin, one of the engineers entrusted with the Eiffel Tower’s design, is a national award-winning Bollywood actress, Kalki Koechlin.

Final Thoughts on the Interesting Facts About the Eiffel Tower

How many of these interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower did you know? Do you think they convinced you enough to visit the famous monument?

If yes, the next time you visit this landmark, don’t forget to look for some of these. And if you take a tour guide, see if they mention any of these facts.

And if you know more such fun facts about the Eiffel Tower, let me know in the comments below. I’d love to read about them.

Check out these posts to help you plan your trip to Paris

• Fun things to do in Paris on a Rainy day
• Famous Paintings in Paris
• Where to Find the Best Macarons in Paris
• Famous Paintings at the Louvre Museum
• Best Covered Passages of Paris
• Most beautiful neighborhoods of Paris
• Fun free things to do in Paris
• Famous Churches to Visit in Paris
• Best Museums in Paris
• Tips for Visiting the Eiffel Tower
• How to spend One day In Paris

Was this post on the interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower helpful? Then please consider sharing them with others .

Sharing is caring!

Esther is the face and voice behind Dreams in Paris! She has always been obsessed with Paris even before she moved there. She has lived in Paris for a couple of years, and that obsession has not changed! That love for Paris, plus her passion for writing led to the birth of Dreams in Paris! She now shares all the practical tips and guides she’s picked along the way to help you plan a memorable trip to the city of love! You can learn more about her here !

Similar Posts

34 Interesting Facts About The French Language

Want to learn more about French? This post will show you all the interesting facts about the French language that you probably didn’t know about before! As one of the most spoken languages in the whole world, French has a…

French Cuisine Facts: 34 Interesting Facts About French Food You Need To Know

Want to learn more about French cuisine? This post will show you all the interesting facts about French food that you probably didn’t know about before! French cuisine is world-renowned, but, like all other cuisines, even the French one has…

31 Interesting Facts About The Louvre Museum in Paris

Want to learn more about the Louvre? From interesting ideas to historical events you probably didn’t know about, here are the fun facts about the Louvre Museum! Located in the 1st arrondissement, this iconic French landmark is worldly known as…

28 Interesting Facts About Mona Lisa That Will Surprise You

Want to learn more about Mona Lisa? From its history to intriguing myths? Here are the most interesting facts about Mona Lisa you should know. Did you know that there is one woman who’s probably more famous than all the…

Paris Facts: 41 Fun Facts About Paris That You Probably Didn’t Know

Want to know more things about Paris that you probably didn’t know? Here are the most interesting facts about Paris that will help you learn more about the French capital. As someone who has called the City of Lights home…

France Facts: 34 Fun Facts About France You Probably Didn’t Know

Want to know more things about France that you probably didn’t know? Here are the fun facts about France that will help you learn more about the country. As one of the most visited nations in the world, it’s no surprise…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Attractions
• Landmarks + Monuments

12 Interesting Facts and Secrets About the Eiffel Tower

Explore the history, science, and secrets of Paris' most famous landmark.

The Eiffel Tower — or, la Tour Eiffel — has long been one of the world's most recognizable landmarks, symbolizing the romance and ingenuity of the City of Light . 

Designed as the centerpiece of the 1889 World's Fair, the Tower was meant to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution and to show off France's modern industrial prowess on a world stage. 

And that it did. The tower's construction, finished after two years, two months, and five days, was considered a marvel of precision and speed. Gustave Eiffel's civil engineering firm used 7,300 tons of iron and 2.5 million rivets , and the result stood triumphant over the Champs de Mars, receiving more than two million visitors during the fair. 

The Tower’s now-famous silhouette has been  emulated around the world  in places like Las Vegas, Prague, Tianducheng, China, and, of course, Paris, Texas. The design wasn’t without its detractors , however — a "Protest against the Tower of Monsieur Eiffel,” signed by the likes of Guy de Maupassant, Alexandre Dumas fils , and other well-known artists, was published in the newspaper Le Temps before the project’s completion. The letter argued that the tower would be “a gigantic black factory chimney, its barbarous mass overwhelming and humiliating all our monuments and belittling our works of architecture, which will just disappear before this stupefying folly.”

In defiance of such protests, the Eiffel Tower did see the light of day and has stood the test of time. It remains one of the most visited monuments in the world, welcoming almost seven million visitors a year and more than 300 million people since its debut. It has changed over the years, with the addition of lighting, fresh coats of paint, and numerous installations that have come and gone. 

And there’s still more to this landmark than meets the eye. Despite the incredible number of people who have visited since it opened, La Dame de Fer still has a few secrets to share.  

There’s a penthouse apartment at the top.

Gustave Eiffel reserved the uppermost level of the tower for himself, where he hosted famous guests like Thomas Edison in a private apartment that he designed. The space has since been transformed into a recreation of Eiffel's office, complete with wax figures of himself, his daughter, and Edison, and it's open for the public to tour.

Gustave Eiffel didn’t design the tower.

While the tower is named for Eiffel, it was actually Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier — two engineers who worked for his company — who designed the structure. They also commissioned French architect Stephen Sauvestre to work on the appearance of the project in order to quell public concerns about the harsh, utilitarian nature of the original design. They ultimately beat out more than 100 other projects in a contest to choose the main attraction of the World's Fair.  

The Eiffel Tower was supposed to be torn down after 20 years.

The tower was built with the intent of showing off France's industrial prowess during the World's Fair, but the plan was to tear it down after 20 years. However, Eiffel cleverly put a radio antenna and wireless telegraph transmitter in the tower. After proving radio’s usefulness to the government in 1910, Eiffel was granted a 70-year extension to his lease. By 1980, of course, the tower had become an indelible symbol of both Paris and France, and it was in no danger of demolition.

The Eiffel Tower was almost destroyed during World War II.

In August 1944, as the Nazis were losing control of occupied Paris, Adolf Hitler commanded his generals to level the city. Plans were drawn up to mine the Eiffel Tower with explosives. Thankfully, Allied troops swooped in before the order could be carried out. Subsequent air raids over Paris caused significant damage, but the Eiffel Tower survived the war intact.

The Eiffel Tower is a cousin of sorts to the Statue of Liberty.

As sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi was designing “Liberty Enlightening the World”, he called upon his mentor, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, to design the statue’s internal framework. After Viollet-le-Duc died in 1879, Bartholdi turned to Eiffel and Koechlin. They proved their iron expertise with Lady Liberty before moving on to the Iron Lady.

The Eiffel Tower has been home to both a post office and a theater. 

The tower has been home to several businesses throughout the years, many of which are now gone. These include the newspaper “Le Figaro”, which had an office on the second floor for six months during the 1889 World's Fair, a post office tucked into the first floor, and a wooden theater on the first floor designed by Sauvestre. 

Gim42/Getty Images

The Eiffel Tower doubled as a scientific laboratory.

Eiffel, an avid scientist, housed a meteorology lab on the tower's third floor. He was known to perform studies in physics and aerodynamics there, even building a wind tunnel at the foot of the structure. Eiffel opened the doors of the laboratory for other scientists to use for their experiments as well.

The Eiffel Tower moves.

The massive iron structure is wind resistant and will sway during a storm. Wind isn't the only thing that can make the enormous tower move, though — the heat of the sun causes the iron to expand , making the Tower grow a few centimeters during the summer months. The tower will also lean an average of six inches away from the sun, as the one side facing the direct light heats up faster than the other three sides.

The Eiffel Tower is covered in the names of scientists.

The names of French scientists and engineers working in the 19th century were not forgotten by history — not only are they attached to several Parisian streets, but 72 of them are also engraved on the Eiffel Tower. The tributes were painted over in the early 20th century, but thanks to a restoration effort in the late 1980s, they are once again visible. Eagle-eyed visitors can see names like Foucault, Dumas, and Perrier cut into the iron surrounding the tower's first floor.

It takes a lot of work to keep the Eiffel Tower looking good.

Every seven years, workers apply around 60 tons of paint to the tower. This not only keeps La Dame de Fer looking good, but it also helps keep the iron from rusting.

The Eiffel Tower’s sparkling lights are copyrighted art. 

The Tower’s first light show coincided with the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in 1925. Automaker Andre Citröen financed a 200,000-bulb show that featured a shower of stars, alternating Zodiac symbols, comets, and (naturally) his car brand’s name at the finale. Another show, featuring 336 yellow-orange spotlights, came sixty years later , but the now-famous sparkling light show, consisting of 20,000 bulbs, first lit up the night sky New Year’s Eve 1999 to ring in the new millennium. While the Tower itself is in the public domain , its illumination is protected by copyright under French law . However, don’t call your lawyer just yet — this only applies to pictures taken for professional use. You’re free to share any personal pictures of the Eiffel Tower and its lights as you please.  

There’s a Champagne bar at the top.

If you're brave enough to climb the stairs to the top of the tower, reward yourself with a glass of Champagne from the Champagne Bar . There's nothing like a glass of bubbly with a spectacular view.

No matter the destination, Travel + Leisure GO can turn your vacation dreams into reality. With nearly endless reservation options to fly or stay, book your next getaway — near or far — at Travel + Leisure GO .

15 essential things to know about the Eiffel Tower

Wednesday 4 March 2020

Modified the 27/12/23

Who built the Eiffel Tower?

The Eiffel Tower was built from 1887 to 1889 by French engineer Gustave Eiffel , whose company specialized in building metal frameworks and structures. Gustave Eiffel is at the origin of many metallic works in Europe including the Porto Viaduct (Portugal), the Viaduct du Garabit (France) and the Budapest train station (Hungary).

Gustave Eiffel's company, that was located in Levallois Perret, very near Paris, France, also built the metal framework for another world-famous monument: the Statue of Liberty (New York, United States), designed by Auguste Bartholdi and offered to the United States as a gift from France to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence in 1886.

What kind of metal is the Eiffel Tower made of?

The Eiffel Tower is made of iron, not steel. The puddle iron that makes up the Eiffel Tower's structure came from the Pompey forges (East of France). The iron plates and beams produced through the puddling process were then preassembled in the Eiffel factories in Levallois Perret using rivets.

Finally, these pieces were taken to the Eiffel Tower construction site to be mounted. The prefab system is what allowed them to build the Eiffel Tower in a record time of 2 years, 2 months and 5 days.

What is puddle iron?

The iron used to build the Eiffel Tower went through a refining process called puddling which eliminated the excess carbon when the ore was melted. Following this process, you obtain almost pure iron, which was, according to Gustave Eiffel at that time, the best and most robust of materials .

To protect it from corrosion, the iron is covered with a thick coat of paint that has to be renewed every 7 years. This repainting schedule was recommended by Gustave Eiffel himself and is still respected to date.

Why was the Eiffel Tower built?

The Eiffel Tower was built to be one the main attractions at the Paris World's Fair in 1889. That year, the World's Fair covered the entire Champ de Mars in Paris and its focus was the vast constructions in iron and steel that were the great industrial advancement of that time.

First called the 300-meter Tower, it soon took the name of the man who built it, Gustave Eiffel. The Tower opened to the public the same day as the World's Fair, on May 15, 1889.

Controversy over the Tower raged in the art world before and during its construction, but thanks to the audacity of its architecture and design, visitors and Parisians immediately fell under its charm and more than 2 million people toured it in the first year. 

Why is the Eiffel Tower famous ?

Since it was built and opened to the public in 1889, the Eiffel Tower instantly gained an international fame, as it was then the tallest building in the world. Its peculiar iron silhouette instantly traveled across the world in the newspapers. Built for the 1889 Exposition universelle (World's Fair) which took place in Paris, Gustave Eiffel's masterpiece aimed to show to the world the audacity of the French in the industrial and technological domains at the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.

Being the first tower to reach the height of 1,000 feet - twice as any structure previously erected- the Eiffel Tower remained the highest building in the world during 40 years: until the Empire State Building was erected in New York in 1931!

Since 1889, the Eiffel Tower has always been opened for visits (except during the Word War 2 and the Covid-19 Pandemic): nearly 330 million visitors experienced the magic of the ascent -by elevator, or by the stairs - and discovered t8he magnificent view over Paris. Thanks to its universal power of attraction, it's the most visited monument in the world, with nearlty 7M visitors each year.

Is the Eiffel Tower the symbol France?

Its height and unique silhouette floating above the Paris landscape quickly made the Eiffel Tower one of the most popular attractions in Paris. The Tower's destiny is closely linked to that of the city of Paris, the capital of France and the Eiffel Tower's owner.

Since the beginning, the Eiffel Tower drew attention and served as the theatre for numerous events in the life of Paris and France: the grandiose fireworks on July 14 ("Bastille Day"), national-level events and large-scale sporting events.

The Tower can be seen from many and various points around Paris and its suburbs. It is photographed, drawn, filmed, and replicated in all kinds of circumstances. It is the monument photographed by all visitors to Paris. It naturally slipped into the role of symbolizing France in the collective imagination, in movies and graphic arts but also in literature and poetry.

What does the Eiffel Tower represent for French people?

For 130 years, the Eiffel Tower has been a powerful and distinctive symbol of the city of Paris, and by extension, of France. At first, when it was built for the 1889 World's Fair, it impressed the entire world by its stature and daring design, and symbolized French know-how and industrial genius.

A monument known around the world and a unique tourist attraction, the Eiffel Tower has loyally accompanied the people of Paris and its suburbs in their daily life. Rising to a height of 330 meters, it can be seen from all over Paris, and beyond, day and night until 1 am thanks to its lighting, the twinkling illumination at fixed times and its beacon that reaches out to 80 km, at 360 degrees.

The Eiffel Tower has witnessed and sometimes been an actor in important events, both sumptuous and tragic, in France's history. In its early years the Eiffel Tower was a productive laboratory for scientific experiments, in particular for wireless telegraphy, which saved it from destruction after the initially scheduled period of 20 years. The

Tower's destiny is also intimately linked to technical advancements in radio and television. The TDF installations and emitters at its summit broadcast all the digital terrestrial television and radio channels to the 12 million inhabitants of île de France.

Today, the Eiffel Tower's lights are turned off at night to honor the victims of dramatic events around the world. Even more than a symbol, it has become a means of expression for the city of Paris and all of France. 

Why is the Eiffel Tower shaped like the A letter?

We have to first put the Eiffel Tower back in its historical context. It was two engineers who worked in Gustave Eiffel's company who, in 1884, imagined building a metal tower 300 meters high for the 1889 World's Fair in Paris.

These engineers were specialists in large-scale metallic structures like bridges, railway stations, viaducts, etc. It was only natural that the first sketch of the 300-meter Tower, issued from the calculations made by these two engineers, shows a pylon with 4 legs, each made of 4 robust beams linked together by open-web- joists that rise diagonally to meet at the summit.

All these shapes and curves simply recall the biggest viaducts built by Eiffel around the same time!

How many days did it take to build the Eiffel Tower?

The Eiffel Tower was built in record time: 2 years, 2 months and 5 days. From late January 1887 to March 31, 1889. In addition to the technical and architectural prowess , the Tower's rapid construction also represented an unparalleled achievement at that time. 

Is it illegal to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night?

There is nothing that says you can't take photos of the Eiffel Tower at night. Private individuals are free to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night for private use or to share on social networks, for example.

The situation is different for professionals: the Eiffel Tower's various illuminations (golden, sparkles, beacon, and illuminations for special events) are protected by copyright. Any nighttime pictures of the Eiffel Tower used by professionals for professional ends thus require previous authorization from SETE (Société d’Exploitation de la tour Eiffel - the Eiffel Tower management firm) and eventually the payment of usage rights. 

Is the Eiffel Tower a work of art?

In the beginning, no one thought of the Tower as a work of art because it was the work of architects and engineers! The idea for a 300-meter-high tower came, at that time, as part of preparations for the 1889 World's Fair.

A competition was launched for the Fair, in 1886, to "study the possibility of raising an iron tower with a square base of 125 meters per side and a height of 300 meters." Gustave Eiffel's project, designed by the engineers Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, and the architect Stephen Sauvestre , was chosen from among 107 other projects.

How many people died during the construction of the Eiffel Tower?

There were no serious injuries or deaths during the construction of the Eiffel Tower. 

What does Eiffel Tower mean? 

The Eiffel Tower took the name of its creator, Gustave Eiffel , 19th century French entrepreneur and engineer who specialized in building large-scale metal structures (bridges, train stations, viaducts).  

How many people visit the Eiffel Tower every year? 

A must-see for everyone who visits Paris, a little over 6 million people climb the Eiffel Tower every year. The Eiffel Tower is open every day, and even at night, from 9:30 am to 11:45 pm, and in summer from 9:00 am to 12:45 am. 

How many levels does the Eiffel Tower have? 

The Tower has three levels that are open to the public: the 1st level, 2nd level and top. The 2nd floor has 2 levels, as does the summit (an enclosed lower level, and an open-air level above). Our visitors can reach the first two levels either by stairs or elevator. The ascension from the 2nd level to the summit is only possible by elevator. 

What is the Eiffel Tower's weight in tons?

The Eiffel Tower weighs approximately 10,100 tons. The metal framework alone weighs 7,300 tons while the paint that protects the structure "only' weighs 60 tons!  

You liked this article ? ? Share it

Book a ticket

Save time, buy tickets online

Opening times & Ticket prices

Today : 09:30 - 23:00

Price : 29.40€

Take Paris’ most spectacular ride to the top for €29.40 or less (€29.40 for adult ticket with access to top by lift).

On the same theme

What to see around the Eiffel Tower ?

Why was the Eiffel Tower kept?

Who owns the Tower?

• Prices & Times
• Haut de page

• Sites and Monuments in Paris
• Sites and Monuments in France
• Things to do in Paris
• Things to do in France
• ACCOMMODATION
• RENTING A CAR
• CHEF SERVICE
• CONCIERGERIE SERVICES
• TRAVEL TIPS
• TRAVEL LUGGAGE
• Arrondissements
• Monuments & Landmarks
• Secret & Offbeat Paris
• More about Paris...
• Île de France
• More Regions of France...
• Aix-en-Provence
• More Cities...
• Castles and Palaces
• Cathedrals and Churches
• Gardens and Parks
• World Heritage Sites
• Villages of France
• Autumn / Fall
• Mardi-Gras / Carnival
• April Fools' Day
• Bastille Day
• All Saints' Day
• More Holidays and Celebrations...
• National Anthem
• Gallic Rooster
• National Day
• Motto of France
• Motto of Paris
• Coat of Arms
• French President
• Le Croissant
• French Cheese
• French Wines
• Christmas Food and Recipes
• French Nursery Rhymes
• France geography
• FUN QUIZZES
• MOVIES AND MUSIC
• FRENCH LANGUAGE
• BOOKS BY FRENCH MOMENTS
• BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
• The Secrets of the Eiffel Tower
• The Gems of Paris
• Office desks and chairs
• Travel suitcases
• LEARN FRENCH WITH PIERRE
• THE STORY SO FAR
• WORK WITH US
• THE NEWSLETTER
• HOW TO SUPPORT US
• PHOTO USAGE POLICY

25 Fun Facts about the Eiffel Tower

Last Updated:  14 July 2022

The Eiffel Tower  sounds like a magical name. What would Paris be like without the Eiffel Tower? Well, Paris had already proved its charm to the world before the tower was even built with many amazing monuments. Let’s name a few: the Louvre , the Arc de Triomphe and Notre-Dame .

Now the Eiffel Tower surpasses them all in height. The iron tower can be seen from each of these three buildings from a different and interesting angle.

But instead of writing about facts that travel guides would generally tell you, I choose to unveil a few things about the tower. I compiled them into 25 fun facts about the Eiffel Tower…

Fun facts about the Eiffel Tower – Presentation

How many platforms make up the tower.

There are three different levels or platforms:

• level 1 is 57 m high,
• level 2 stands at 115 m and hosts the Jules Verne restaurant.
• The highest – level 3 – reaches 276 m (not quite making it to 300 m!). It can be reached by lift only.

The Eiffel Tower Discovery Course

Register for our new online discovery course: “The Secrets of the Eiffel Tower”.

You’ll probably know that the Eiffel Tower is a monument overrun with tourists. In fact, most visitors have no idea of its true value. What if the Eiffel Tower has kept some secrets away from the millions of visitors? To get to the bottom of this, we went down a rabbit hole of research. And found out that the Eiffel Tower was much more than a mass-tourism icon. It contains a lot of fascinating facts that explain why it is so popular today. The Eiffel Tower is like a treasure chest that hides many secrets. And to open the chest, one needs to have the key And that key is CURIOSITY!

We put a lot of thought into how to structure this course so that it can help you uncover the secrets of the Eiffel Tower. The course is intended to help many to:

• gather info for your next trip to Paris
• enjoy some armchair travel
• simply satisfy your curiosity
• learn new things just for the joy of learning
• delve into the modern history of Paris
• prepare a school presentation

The online course is a unique product entirely dedicated to the Eiffel Tower. You will learn unusual things about the Eiffel Tower that no tourist guides will have told you! Together, we’ll go beyond the tourist experience of the Eiffel Tower and understand its true value. You will find out interesting facts that many others don’t… even the French themselves! Yes, you will even be able to show off your knowledge to Parisians! Oh là là!

The online course is made up of a series of 4 modules and a bonus section. Each module contains a number of questions (36 in total) that cover geography, history, fun facts and culture. The content takes the form of videos (slideshows with voice-over) and also includes texts, photos and diagrams.

To find out more and get the course, click here to uncover The Secrets of the Eiffel Tower .

Fun facts about the Eiffel Tower – Breaking records

What is the actual height of the eiffel tower.

On completion, the tower was 300 metres high. During the 20th century, successive sets of antennas were added to the top of the structure for radio and TV transmission purposes.

By 1994, the tower had reached 317 metres.

In 2000, the tower was 324 metres tall.

Then on 17 January 2005, a new set of antenna increased its height to 325 metres .

For how long was the Eiffel Tower the tallest monument in the world?

• The Eiffel Tower became the world’s highest monument in 1889 with its 300 metres topping the Washington Monument (169 m).
• It kept this record for 42 years until the completion of the 319 metre-high Chrysler Building , in New York City in 1930.
• In 2009, the Khalifa Dubai tower was completed at a height of 810 metres which is equivalent to 2 1/2 Eiffel Towers!
• An interesting note: the Eiffel Tower is now 6 metres higher than its former ‘rival’, the Chrysler Building, thanks to its new antennas!

Is the Eiffel Tower the tallest structure in France?

No, the Eiffel Tower lost its status as the tallest structure in France in 2004 to the Viaduct of Millau (in the Rouergue region). The central pylon of the bridge reaches a height of 343 m.

However, the Eiffel Tower remains the highest monument in Paris . It will certainly stay as such for decades to come, despite the construction of new high-rise towers in La Défense (Paris’ CBD).

How many visitors climb the Eiffel Tower each year?

• As of 1 January 2018 it is estimated that more than 302,848,000  visitors have climbed the tower since its inauguration in 1889.
• Twice the Eiffel Tower has welcomed more than 7 million people in a year: 7,086,273 in 2011 and 7,097,302 in 2014 .
• In 2017 , the number of visitors reached 6,207,303.

Is the Eiffel Tower the most visited monument of Paris and of France?

Not quite! Until the big fire of 15. April 2019  Notre-Dame cathedral topped the list with 14 million visitors per year. Then, other monuments – for which an entry fee applies – are welcoming more visitors such as:

• Disneyland Paris (15 million)
• Louvre Museum (9.6 million),
• Palace of Versailles (8 million)

(stats for 2018/2019)

However, unlike many Parisian monuments and landmarks, the Eiffel Tower can be seen and appreciated from afar, from a great number of places around Paris.

How many visitors can the Eiffel Tower hold at the same time?

The answer is  no more than 5,000 .

• The first platform, at 57 metres, can carry a total of 3,000 people at the same time.
• The second platform, at 115 metres high, can support 1,600 and
• The summit of the tower can welcome no more than 400 people (on two different levels linked by a staircase).

Has the Eiffel Tower been centre stage for any world record attempts?

Well, this may not be a “fun” fact but one I couldn’t miss talking about…

Since its inauguration, there have been many crazy attempts made by adventurers with the Eiffel Tower as centre-stage.

The Flying Tailor of the Eiffel Tower

It’s Sunday, 4 February 1912.  Franz Reichelt  was an Austrian-born tailor born in 1878 in Wegstädtl (today Štětí, Czechia). In 1898 he moved permanently to Paris and obtained French citizenship in 1909.

Reichelt founded a prosperous dressmaking business in the opera district. We are talking about a time when the world was at the dawn of the aviation age. From July 1910, the tailor had been working on creating a “parachute suit” after hearing stories of fatal accidents among the early aviators. A few days before the attempt on the Eiffel Tower, he finally received permission from the authorities to try out his new suit.

But this Sunday 4 Feb 1912 was a very cold day. Temperatures were below 0 °C (32 °F). A stiff breeze blew across the Champ de Mars. Some 30 journalists and a crowd of thousands of curious onlookers gathered around the Eiffel Tower.

This is the moment of truth!

A little after 8 am Reichelt climbed the stairs to the first platform of the tower. At 8.22am, the Flying Tailor prepared to make his jump. He got onto a stool placed on a restaurant table by the guardrail. And stood 57 metres (187 ft) above the ground, facing the Seine.

He adjusted his apparatus with the assistance of his friends. And checked the wind direction by throwing a piece of paper. He then placed one foot on the guardrail. Hesitated for about 40 seconds.

Then finally he jumped…

But his parachute failed to deploy and… he crashed onto the ground at the foot of the tower.

His parachute seemed to have been only half-open. Video footage of the event shows that it folded around him almost immediately. It took him a few seconds before striking the frozen soil at the foot of the Eiffel tower. The impact of his fall left a hole measuring 15 centimetres (5.9 in).

A short film was taken during this attempt which shows the man’s fall and was released shortly after the event.

Interestingly, on 2 February 1912 – two days prior to Reichelt’s tragic attempt – Frederick R. Law, had successfully parachuted from the viewing platform of the torch of the Statue of Liberty, 46 m (151 feet) from the base of the statue. The Statue of Liberty in New York City was a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi… and its metal framework was built by… Gustave Eiffel himself!

Philippe Petit, the French high-wire artist

Another risk-taker was Philippe Petit , the renowned French high-wire artist. In 1989, Petit walked a wire strung from the ground at the Place du Trocadéro to the second platform of the Eiffel Tower. He made it in 30 minutes. What better way to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower? In 1972, Petit had previously walked a wire rigged between the two north pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, in Australia.

Is the Eiffel Tower strong enough to face strong winds?

The Eiffel tower swayed 13 cm during a storm in 1999, which blew at 240 kph.

As for the variation of ambient temperature, the top of the tower may shift away from the sun by as much as 18 cm which was recorded during the 1976 heatwave. (Gustave Eiffel had allowed for a variation as much as 70 cm).

Get your Tickets for the Eiffel Tower: Guided Visit + Access to the Top!

Fun facts about the Eiffel Tower – An Historic Monument

Who built the eiffel tower and why.

The Eiffel Tower takes its name from its architect, Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923). But he was not the only one to work on realising his dream.

Two engineers from his company, Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier , were also credited for their input in the project.

Between 120 and 200 men worked on the site. More than 300 in the workshops at Levallois-Perret (North-West suburb of Paris).

During its completion, only one worker – an Italian – tragically died after falling from the first floor.

The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 Paris World Fair , marking the centennial celebration of the French Revolution. Its position as an entrance arch to the exhibition pavilions located across the River Seine (Trocadéro and Champ de Mars) was celebrated as a grand monument to the glory of France.

How long did it take to build the Eiffel Tower?

It took only two years, two months and five days to build the tower, which is a remarkably short period of time. The work started in 1887 and the tower was inaugurated in 1889.

Who opposed the building of the Eiffel Tower and considered it an eyesore?

Many outraged French intellectuals, including Charles Gounod , Charles Garnier and Alexandre Dumas vigorously protested against the project. Through the media, they tried to oppose the tower’s construction. Guy de Maupassant chose to eat at the restaurant up the tower. (declaring that this was the only place in Paris he could not see the structure!) The press published outraged critics describing the Eiffel Tower as a “ useless monstrosity ”.

Perhaps today the only rational protest comes from people who nostalgically deplore the new plethora of antennas that mask the original spectacular top of the tower. They regard the additions as ugly and disrespectful of Gustave Eiffel’s work.

Where does the iron of the Eiffel Tower come from?

All the iron which makes up the immense Meccano-like structure comes from the iron factories of Messieurs Dupont et Fould . Since closed down, the factory was based in Pompey (Meurthe-et-Moselle), a suburb of Nancy , Lorraine. The Pompey factory needed to supply Eiffel with 18,038 pieces of puddled iron . They were then connected using 2.500.000 rivets by three hundred workers.

Was the Eiffel Tower ever close to being dismantled?

The City of Paris gave Gustave Eiffel a concession that permitted the tower to stand for 20 years, after which it should have been dismantled. The sudden demand for a suitable platform from the newly emerging radio transmission technology saved the tower from demolition.

Again in 1944, when the Allies were marching closer to Paris, Hitler gave orders to General Dietrich von Choltitz (the German military governor of Paris) to destroy Paris and the Eiffel Tower… orders which he dared not follow.

Which famous people climbed the Eiffel Tower while staying in Paris?

The list is rather long… we can however include some names such as Pope John-Paul II, all French presidents, Chinese leader Hu Jintao, singers Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour and Maurice Chevalier.

Amongst those who did not climb the Eiffel Tower was Jules Verne , who said when being decorated with the Légion d’Honneur:

“They are decorating me because I am the only man in France to have not climbed the Eiffel Tower”.

Needless to say, the writer’s name is remembered in the gastronomic restaurant at the second level.

Then, in June 1940, Hitler posed in a famous picture at the Trocadéro in front of the Eiffel Tower but declined to climb it. His first ever leisure tour of Paris was so quick that he had allowed only a half-day to see most of its monuments! It was said that Hitler conquered France, but did not conquer the Eiffel Tower.

More recently, on 13 July 2017, French President Macron invited US President Donald Trump to dine at the Jules Verne restaurant on the second platform of the Eiffel Tower.

Fun facts about the Eiffel Tower – Inside the tower

How far can we see from the top floor of the eiffel tower.

Contrary to urban legend, it is not possible to see the Alps from a far distance in fair weather! But the view is still stunning. It stretches for 70 km, as far as the outskirts of Paris, Charles de Gaulle airport and the countryside beyond the suburbs.

If your aim is to admire Paris itself, it is better to come down to the second platform. From where everything will look closer and you will be able to see the city’s most famous monuments in detail.

How much does the Eiffel Tower weigh?

Did you know that the Eiffel Tower went on a diet! At its inauguration, the tower weighed 11,000 tonnes, compared to 10,100 tonnes today – less than the weight of a cylinder of air with the same volume as the iron structure.

Who owns the Eiffel Tower today?

The SNTE (Société Nouvelle d’exploitation de la Tour Eiffel), a semi-public company whose main shareholder is the City of Paris.

Are there any reproductions of the Eiffel Tower across the world?

Yes, and there are so many of them: Las Vegas, Nevada (165 m), Walt Disney World’s EPCOT theme park on Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Tianducheng, Hangzhou, China (108 m), Kings Island Amusement Park, Mason, Ohio (101 m), etc.

Other towers were inspired by the Eiffel Tower such as Blackpool Tower in England (158 m), Tokyo Tower in Japan (333 m) and the metal Tower of Fourvière in Lyon (86 m).

In Australia, we have a perfect example of a tower directly inspired by the Eiffel Tower: the AWA Tower in Sydney. Located at Wynyard, in Sydney’s CBD, the metal structure sits on top of a building, making the structure 100 metres high. It was the city’s highest building until the 1960s.

Fun facts about the Eiffel Tower – Practical Questions

Can we climb the stairs to the top of the eiffel tower.

Early visitors used to be allowed to climb the 1,665 steps from the bottom to the top of the tower. Now, only the first two platforms can be reached by stairs. If you wish to access the top floor, you will need to use the lift.

Can pictures be taken of the Eiffel Tower and published?

According to the official website of the Eiffel Tower, “ there are no restrictions on publishing a picture of the Tower by day. Photos taken at night, when the special lights are illuminated, are subjected to copyright, and fees for the right to publish must be paid to the SNTE “.

So, beware if you are using night-time photos of the Eiffel Tower!

Are there any restaurants in the Eiffel Tower?

YES, definitely! And a very good one too! Le Jules Verne , on the second platform, is a must. And guess what: a special lift is reserved for its customers. Re-opened in 2018 under the leadership of Triple Michelin-starred chef Frédéric Anton, the 95 seats restaurant offers an unforgettable view on the roofs of Paris, both day and night.

On the first floor, the restaurant 58 Tour Eiffel serves simpler food, and covers two levels, offering views of Paris and the metal structure of the tower.

When exactly is the Eiffel Tower lit up at night?

Thanks to a magical display of lights at night-time, the Eiffel Tower glitters for 5 minutes  from nightfall until 1.00 am, every hour on the hour . One of the best spots to enjoy the show is from the top terrace of the Montparnasse Tower , aligned perfectly with the Eiffel Tower, with the skyline of La Défense in the background.

The light display is made up of 20,000 bulbs, linked by 40 km of cable.

When was the best fireworks display?

For many Parisians and visitors, the consensus is unanimous. The best fireworks that ever took place around the Eiffel Tower happened on the 1st January 2000 at midnight. The most incredible pyrotechnic display lasted 6 minutes. The tower looked like a rocket ready to take off. It was considered by the Parisians as good as Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks. “ Shorter but more beautiful ” was the City of Paris’ motto.

The only remaining feature of this ‘ temps glorieux ’ is the beam of light that sweeps the whole city of Paris (and its suburbs) in a 360 degree-radius. The light also takes us back to 1889. A similar light was used to illuminate the Paris sky with blue, white and red colours.

How much does it cost to climb to the top floor of the Eiffel Tower?

On the 1st September 2020, reaching the top of the Eiffel Tower using the lifts cost you:

• €25.90 per adult,
• €13.00 per young person between 12 and 24, and
• €6.50 per child under 12.
• For children under 4, entrance is free!

All the entrance fees and opening hours can be viewed on the official website of the Eiffel Tower , which features interesting information and facts about the monument.

Take the Eiffel Tower Quiz!

Go beyond the fun facts of the Eiffel Tower by testing your knowledge of the Eiffel Tower in 12 questions!

Click here to take the Eiffel Tower Quiz!

Pin it for later!

Inspired by these Fun facts about the Eiffel Tower? Pin it for later…

About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

Like it? Leave a comment!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

Name * * * * * * * * * *

E-mail * * * * * * * * * *

Website [optional]

Save my name, email and website in the browser for my next comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Just love getting your regular posts on the different areas of France. They are fascinating reading and very informative. Hope to get to France again and track down some of the places you have talked about. Especially love the historical and geographical information about Paris. Keep up the good work!!

Thank you Julie, always a pleasure! 🙂

This really helps me with my assignment and I learned a lot of new things myself. I enjoyed reading through this and I appreciate your time you put into this! 😁

Thank you Amy, you’re welcome! 🙂

Transparency: Some blog posts and pages may contain affiliate or sponsored links. If you are planning a trip, the use of these links helps us to run the site. There is no additional cost to you. All you have to do is click on the link and any booking you make is automatically tracked. Thank you for your support!

Escape to France with every email! Get insider insights, travel guides, cultural gems delivered and exclusive offers to your inbox twice a week. Your journey to Paris and France begins when you sign up!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK

20 OFFBEAT PLACES IN PARIS

• History Classics
• Your Profile
• Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window)
• Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window)
• Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window)
• Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window)
• Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window)
• This Day In History
• History Podcasts
• History Vault

10 Things You May Not Know About the Eiffel Tower

By: Christopher Klein

Updated: August 1, 2023 | Original: March 31, 2014

1. The Eiffel Tower was once yellow

In fashionable Paris, even the Eiffel Tower must keep up with style trends. Over the decades, the “Iron Lady” has changed her looks with the application of a spectrum of paint colors. When it opened in 1889, the Eiffel Tower sported a reddish-brown color. A decade later, it was coated in yellow paint. The tower was also yellow-brown and chestnut brown before the adoption of the current, specially mixed “Eiffel Tower Brown” in 1968. Every seven years, painters apply 60 tons of paint to the tower to keep her looking young. The tower is painted in three shades, progressively lighter with elevation, in order to augment the structure’s silhouette against the canvas of the Parisian sky.

2. It was built to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution

Organizers of the 1889 Exposition Universelle, which commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the fall of the Bastille and the launch of the French Revolution , staged an open competition to design a spectacular centerpiece to their world’s fair. Out of 107 proposals, they selected the design submitted by Eiffel along with architect Stephen Sauvestre and engineers Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier.

3. For four decades it was the world’s tallest structure

At 986 feet, the Eiffel Tower was nearly double the height of the world’s previous tallest structure—the 555-foot Washington Monument —when it opened in 1889. It would not be surpassed until the completion of the 1,046-foot Chrysler Building in New York in 1930. Although the Eiffel Tower eclipsed the Chrysler Building in height with the addition of an antenna in 1957, it still trailed behind another Gotham skyscraper, the Empire State Building .

4. The Eiffel Tower was once the world’s largest billboard

When dusk fell across Paris between 1925 and 1936, a quarter-million colored bulbs attached to three sides of the tower’s steeple illuminated to spell the 100-foot vertical letters of the French automobile company Citroën. The advertisement blazed so brightly that it was visible from nearly 20 miles away, and Charles Lindbergh used it as a beacon when he landed in Paris on his 1927 solo trans-Atlantic flight.

5. Gustave Eiffel designed part of another famous landmark

When the initial designer of the Statue of Liberty’s interior elements died suddenly in 1879, French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi hired Eiffel as his replacement. Already renowned as a structural engineer and railway bridge designer, Eiffel designed the skeletal support system to which the statue’s copper skin is affixed. (Today, a scale model of the Statue of Liberty stands on an island in the River Seine in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.)

6. Parisian artists petitioned against the “monstrous” structure

Although now a worldwide symbol of romance, the radical design of the Eiffel Tower inspired anything but love in the hearts of 300 prominent Parisian artists and intellectuals who signed the following manifesto that ran in the Le Temps newspaper on Valentine’s Day in 1887: “We, writers, painters, sculptors, architects, passionate lovers of the beauty, until now intact, of Paris, hereby protest with all our might, with all our indignation, in the name of French taste gone unrecognized, in the name of French art and history under threat, against the construction, in the very heart of our capital, of the useless and monstrous Eiffel Tower.” The screed even said that the “gigantic black factory chimney” was so loathed that “even commercial-minded America does not want” it.

7. Radio saved the Eiffel Tower from destruction 

Since Eiffel footed 80 percent of the tower’s construction costs, he was permitted to have the structure stand for 20 years in order to recoup his investment before it passed into the hands of the Parisian government, which planned to disassemble it for scrap metal. Seeking a way to prove the structure’s strategic utility in a bid to save it, Eiffel erected an antenna atop the tower and financed experiments with wireless telegraphy that began in 1898. The value of the tower in sending and receiving wireless messages, particularly for the French military, caused the city to renew Eiffel’s concession when it expired in 1909. Today, more than 100 antennae on the tower beam radio and television broadcasts around the world.

8. The Eiffel Tower contributed to the capture of Mata Hari

During World War I , the French military used the tower’s wireless station to intercept enemy messages from Berlin. In 1914, the French were able to organize a counter-attack during the Battle of the Marne after secretly learning that the German Army was halting its advance. Three years later, the station atop the Eiffel Tower intercepted a coded message between Germany and Spain that offered details about “Operative H-21.” Based in part on this message, the French arrested, convicted and executed legendary spy  Mata Hari for spying on behalf of Germany.

9. The tower housed a scientific laboratory

Eiffel engraved the names of 72 of the country’s scientists in the tower’s first-level gallery, and atop the structure he installed a laboratory that was used by himself and French scientists to study astronomy, meteorology, aerodynamics and physiology and test experiments such as Foucault’s Pendulum. In 1909 Eiffel installed an aerodynamic wind tunnel at the base of the tower that carried out thousands of tests, including those on Wright Brothers airplanes and Porsche automobiles.

10. Daredevils have died attempting aerial feats at the tower

Using everything from parachutes to bungee cords, adventurers for decades have used the tower to stage daring stunts. Not all the thrill-seekers have defied death, however. In 1912, French tailor Franz Reichelt attempted to fly from the tower’s first floor with a spring-loaded parachute suit but crashed 187 feet to the ground instead. Fourteen years later, aviator Leon Collot was killed attempting to fly his plane beneath the span of the tower when it became entangled in the aerial from the wireless station and crashed in a ball of flame.

Sign up for Inside History

Get HISTORY’s most fascinating stories delivered to your inbox three times a week.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Networks. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.

More details : Privacy Notice | Terms of Use | Contact Us

8 Things You Never Knew About the Eiffel Tower

Editorial feature.

By Google Arts & Culture

Bassin de la tour Eiffel - Exposition universelle de 1889 by © Parisienne de photographie - Neurdein/ Roger-Viollet Eiffel Tower

Fun facts about the world’s most recognized tower

It should have stood in Barcelona

Bassin de la tour Eiffel - Exposition universelle de 1889, © Parisienne de photographie - Neurdein/ Roger-Viollet (From the collection of Eiffel Tower)

It was meant to be taken down in 1909

Travaux de construction de la tour Eiffel - Poutrelles de base d'un pilier - Juillet 1887 by © Parisienne de photographie - Jacques Boyer / Roger-Viollet Eiffel Tower

Travaux de construction de la tour Eiffel - Poutrelles de base d'un pilier - Juillet 1887, © Parisienne de photographie - Jacques Boyer / Roger-Viollet (From the collection of Eiffel Tower)

A scientific research site was its savior

Eiffel Tower (1982 - 1982) by Antonio Seguí MAC-Lima

Eiffel Tower, Antonio Segui, 1982 - 1982 (From the collection of MAC-Lima)

It was used as a radio tower in WWI

By William Vandivert LIFE Photo Collection

William Vandivert, 1939-07 (From the collection of LIFE Photo Collection)

Someone married it

It’s illegal to photograph it at night

The Parisians (1963) by Alfred Eisenstaedt LIFE Photo Collection

The Parisians, Alfred Eisenstaedt, 1963 (From the collection of LIFE Photo Collection)

It has been painted numerous different colors over the years

Projet de Stephen Sauvestre d'aménagement de la Tour Eiffel pour l'exposition de 1900 - Collection tour Eiffel by Collection tour Eiffel - SETE Eiffel Tower

Projet de Stephen Sauvestre d'aménagement de la Tour Eiffel pour l'exposition de 1900 - Collection tour Eiffel, Collection tour Eiffel - SETE (From the collection of Eiffel Tower)

A flying tailor leapt to his death off it, by accident

Eiffel Tower (1914/1918) National WWI Museum and Memorial

Eiffel Tower, 1914/1918 (From the collectio of National WWI Museum and Memorial)

Much more than just a tourist attraction, the Eiffel Tower has become a fundamental pillar of French identity over the years. And despite its unconventional and outright unusual past, it remains a celebrated icon to this day.

The birth of the Eiffel tower

Eiffel tower, the principle of negative space, curator's tour, national wwi museum and memorial, the eiffel tower in 1900, david lachapelle 1984-2013, architectural tour, the eiffel tower's inauguration and first visitors, ágatha ruiz de la prada at the mac lima, the construction of the eiffel tower, 11 | 11 | 18.

15 Monumental Facts About the Eiffel Tower

By benjamin lampkin | mar 7, 2023, 1:38 pm est.

On March 31, 1889, the Eiffel Tower opened to the public. Here are some things you might not know about the beloved French monument.

1. The tower was built as an entrance arch for the 1889 World’s Fair.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution , Paris hosted the 1889 World’s Fair ( Exposition Universelle ). Hoping to be considered for the high-profile project, artists from around the nation sent in plans for a structure to mark the entrance to the fair on the Champ de Mars, a public park in the center of Paris.

2. It was designed and built by the firm Eiffel et Compagnie.

The commission was given to the consulting and construction firm owned by Gustave Eiffel, a civil engineer specializing in metal structures. Eiffel also worked in the early 1880s on the Garabit Viaduct , a bridge in France’s mountainous Massif Central region that was, at the time, the highest bridge in the world. His other projects included the railway station in Pest, Hungary; the dome over the Nice Observatory in Nice, France; and the interior scaffolding of the Statue of Liberty .

3. Gustave Eiffel rejected the initial design.

The tower’s main designer was one of Eiffel’s employees , senior engineer Maurice Koechlin. Engineer Emile Nouguier and the head of the company’s architectural department, Stephen Sauvestre, were also consulted . After viewing Koechlin’s initial sketches—which Eiffel felt were too minimalist—the architect instructed Koechlin to include more details and flourishes in his redesign. Eiffel approved the final design in 1884.

4. The project required a lot of metal (and elbow grease).

Three hundred steel workers spent two years, two months, and five days, from 1887 to 1889, constructing the tower. They used more than 18,000 individual metallic parts, 2.5 million rivets, and 40 tons of paint.

5. Its original height was 985 feet.

Upon its completion in March 1889, the tower measured 300 meters (985 feet) high. Surprisingly, this measurement isn’t static: Cold weather can shrink the tower by up to six inches.

6. It was the tallest structure in the world until 1930.

For 41 years, the Eiffel Tower stood higher than any building or structure in the world—until it was surpassed by the Chrysler Building in New York, which topped out at 1046 feet. Just a year later the Empire State Building became the tallest in the world at 1454 feet, including the spire. In 1957 an antenna was added that increased the Eiffel Tower’s height by 67 feet, making it 6 feet taller than the Chrysler Building.

7. A 300-member committee protested the tower.

Led by authors Guy de Maupassant and Alexandre Dumas, Jr., along with hundreds of other artists and intellectuals, a petition opposing the project was signed and sent to the Parisian government. They called the Eiffel Tower “useless and monstrous,” but their protests went unheeded.

8. The tower was an immediate hit with the public.

Despite the petition, the 1889 World’s Fair was deemed a great success , thanks largely to the tower’s imposing presence. Nearly 2 million people visited the Eiffel Tower during the fair and spent $1.4 million on tickets, making the 1889 fair one of the few to actually turn a profit.

9. It was supposed to stand for roughly 20 years.

The Eiffel Tower was never intended to stand over the Champ de Mars permanently, and was scheduled to be dismantled in 1909 —that is, until someone realized that its apex was the perfect place for a telegraphy antenna. During the First World War, at the Battle of the Marne in 1914, the wireless telegraph transmitter helped jam German communications.

10. The Eiffel Tower can withstand strong winds.

Eiffel, a renowned expert on aerodynamics, and his team designed the tower to withstand even the strongest winds and never sway more than 4.5 inches.

11. The tower has three levels.

The 7 million people who visit the Eiffel Tower every year can climb to three different sections of the tower at three different heights. The first level is 189 feet high and includes an observation area, souvenir shops, history and art displays, an outdoor pavillion, the Madame Brasserie, and a transparent floor. The second floor, at 379 feet, includes another observation area, shops, and the Michelin-starred Jules Verne restaurant. The top level offers amazing views at 905 feet high and a champagne bar, historical recreation of Eiffel’s office, and panoramic maps to identify Paris landmarks below.

12. A daredevil was arrested for cycling down the Eiffel Tower’s steps.

The tower has drawn its share of stunts over the years. In just one example, Pierre Labric, a cyclist, journalist, parachutist, and World War I veteran, rode a bicycle down its stairs in 1923.

13. The tower gets a fresh coat of paint every seven years.

About 60 tons of paint are needed to freshen the monument, which is owned by the City of Paris and operated by a public utility called the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel ( SETE ). More than 500 people work for the SETE, as tour guides, security, postal workers, and employees in the tower’s restaurants, shops, and boutiques.

14. The tower was closed during the Nazi occupation.

The monument was closed to the public during the occupation from 1940 to 1944. French resistance fighters cut the cables for the Eiffel Tower’s elevators so Nazi officers and soldiers had to climb the stairs to reach its apex. Hitler actually ordered the military governor of Paris, Dietrich von Choltitz, to destroy the tower along with the rest of the city; fortunately, his order wasn’t carried out.

15. The iconic structure is beloved by filmmakers.

James Bond (Roger Moore) chased an assassin through the tower in A View to a Kill (1985); Burgess Meredith starred as a nefarious knife-sharpener in 1949’s murder-mystery The Man on the Eiffel Tower ; and a scene from the British comedy The Lavender Hill Mob (1951), which featured future Oscar winners Alec Guinness and Audrey Hepburn, was filmed at Eiffel’s masterpiece. Hundreds of other movies have used the tower as a prop or a backdrop.

A version of this story ran in 2019; it has been updated for 2023.

18 Interesting Facts About The Eiffel Tower

By: Author Christine Rogador

Posted on Published: September 14, 2021  - Last updated: October 20, 2023

Do you want to hear interesting facts about Eiffel Tower?

The Eiffel Tower is a must-see on any Paris itinerary. It is an instantly recognizable monument that is the symbol of not only Paris, but all of France.

It is so popular that a lot of people even choose hotels with a perfect view of the tower.

This architectural masterpiece is known for a lot of intriguing anecdotes.

Things you'll find in this article

1. These are the facts and figures about the Eiffel Tower: 

2. the tower was built as an entrance arch for the 1889 world fair., 3. gustave eiffel did not design the eiffel tower., 4. there were protests against the construction of the eiffel tower., 5. the eiffel tower was only meant to stand for 20 years., 6. the tower was essential in the allies’ victory during wwi. , 7. hitler attempted to destroy the eiffel tower. , 8. there is an apartment at the top of the tower., 9. there is also a post office located in the eiffel tower., 10. the eiffel tower was once the tallest in the world. , 11. the tower gets a fresh coat of paint once every seven years., 12. depending on the weather, the tower’s size varies., 13. the world’s largest advertising had the eiffel tower as its backdrop., 14. the eiffel tower is “married”., 15. it is possible to climb  the eiffel tower. , 16. the eiffel tower lights up for five minutes every hour after sundown., 17. however, it is technically illegal to take photos of the eiffel tower at night., travel tips and resources.

Read on to discover more fascinating and odd facts about the Eiffel Tower.

RELATED READ:

• Eiffel Tower – History And All Things You Need To Know
• Best Eiffel Tower Skip-The-Line Tickets
• Best Eiffel Tower Photo Locations For The Gram
• Best Restaurants In Paris With Eiffel Tower View
• Best Hotels In Paris With The Best View Of The Eiffel Tower
• CDG Airport To Eiffel Tower Transport Options

Let’s start with some interesting figures regarding the construction of the famed Parisian landmark: 

The four massive arching legs of the wrought-iron metal tower are supported by masonry piers that curve inward until they meet in a single, tapered tower.

Each of the 18,000 sections that make up the tower were built in Eiffel’s factory on the outskirts of Paris.

The building of the tower took two years, two months, and five days. The Eiffel Tower was finished on March 31, 1889.

The Eiffel Tower is 320 meters (1,050 ft) tall. It also weighs in at around 10,000 tons.

The 1889 World Fair was held in Paris to mark the French Revolution’s 100th anniversary (Exposition Universelle).

In the hopes of being selected for the high-profile project, artists from around the country submitted concepts for a structure to mark the entrance to the fair on the Champ-de-Mars, a public greenspace in the centre of Paris.

On the other hand, engineer Maurice Koechlin did. In fact, Eiffel rejected Koechlin’s early ideas, describing them as “too austere” and wanting a bit more oomph.

After accepting Koechlin’s final design in 1884, Eiffel began marketing his company’s masterpiece.

RELATED READ: Interesting Facts About Gustave Eiffel

The Eiffel Tower was confronted with criticism during its construction.

“We, the writers, painters, sculptors, architects, and lovers of the beauty of Paris, protest with all our vigour and all our indignation, in the name of French taste and endangered French art and history, against the useless and monstrous Eiffel Tower,” were the words in a petition signed by over 300 people.

Furthermore, several environmentalists were concerned that the tower’s height would obstruct the flight of birds over Paris.

None of these factors, however, had a substantial impact, and the tower went on to become one of France’s most beloved and recognizable monuments.

The Eiffel Tower was never meant to stand permanently over the Champ-de-Mars, and it was set to be demolished in 1909—until someone recognized that its top would provide a great place for a telegraphy antenna.

The wireless telegraph transmitter helped disrupt German communications during the Battle of Marnes in 1914 during World War I.

The Tower’s wireless telegraph transmitter was used to block German communications during the Battle of Marnes in 1914, supporting the Allies in turning the tide.

The Eiffel Tower acted as a communications hub for the next five years, intercepting enemy broadcasts, deploying emergency reinforcements, and even misdirecting German zeppelins attempting to pick up the Tower’s signal.

WWI saved the Tower as a result of the Tower’s role in saving France.

In August 1944, as the Allies prepared to capture Paris, Hitler ordered General Dietrich von Choltitz to level the Eiffel Tower and the rest of the city. Fortunately, as a single glance at the Paris skyline demonstrates, Von Choltitz defied the command, falling in love with the city and eventually concluding the Fuhrer was insane.

When designing his namesake tower, Gustave Eiffel smartly built a private apartment for himself, where he welcomed distinguished guests such as Thomas Edison. The apartment is now available for public viewing.

On the first floor of the Tower, among the gift stores, is a little post office. Pick up a postcard and a stamp at the Eiffel Tower’s post office and mail it; it will be delivered with the Eiffel Tower’s distinctive postmark.

The Eiffel Tower was nearly twice as tall when it was completed as the one it had eclipsed for the title of world’s tallest structure. The Washington Monument is 172 meters tall and the Eiffel Tower is 300 meters tall.

As a result, it was the first structure in the world to reach heights of more than 200 meters and 300 meters.

The Eiffel Tower was only the world’s highest structure for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building in 1930 overtook it.

The Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, which is owned by the City of Paris and operated by a public utility, requires about 60 tons of paint to be refreshed. Tour guides, security, the post office, and the restaurants, shops, and boutiques in the Tower employ more than 500 people.

Gustave Eiffel built the tower out of latticed wrought iron to show that it could be as robust as stone while being lighter.

The tower stands about 1,060 feet (320 meters) tall on an ordinary day (including its antenna), but this varies depending on the weather.

It also expands and grows 6 inches higher when exposed to the sun, but it shrinks 6 inches when exposed to the cold.

The Eiffel Tower served as a large billboard for the famed French automobile company Citroen from 1925 to 1934.

To show the company’s name on the tower, almost 250,000 light bulbs were used. It was even named the world’s largest advertising by the Guinness Book of World Records!

Mrs. Eiffel isn’t the tower’s late designer. However, Erika Aya (or Erika Eiffel, as she prefers to be called) is an American who married the Tower in 2007 during a commitment ceremony.

She’s been diagnosed with paraphilia, a disorder in which people develop strong attachments to inanimate items.

Tourists can climb all 1,665 stairs from the bottom to the top if they are in good shape.

For those who find that too daunting, one of the two available lifts is also an option. The first lift journeys from the ground to the center and back, while the second journeys from the center to the top and then back to the center.

The Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes on the hour every night thanks to 20,000 light bulbs!

After the last display at 1:00 a.m., the lights were switched out to conserve energy. It’s extremely interesting to see the Eiffel Tower completely dark if you’re a night owl and can see it at that hour.

In what is known as the Illumination Show, the Tower lights up and sparkles every hour at night.

However, since the French government considers this light show to be “artwork” and thus copyrighted, you could face a fine if you photograph the tower and post it on social media sites.

18. The Eiffel Tower is the most visited paid tourist destination on the planet.

The Eiffel Tower is the world’s most visited paid monument, with over 6 million (approximately) tourists per year!

Whether you find it cliche to see the Eiffel Tower when in Paris, this remains to be among the city’s best places to visit .

After all, it is most likely the first thing you’ll see as your plane approaches the French capital. 

Want to learn more about this French monument ? Here’s our ultimate guide to Eiffel Tower and everything you need to know.

Buy your ticket online here .

Travel Insurance: I never leave home without travel insurance. My personal opinion is if you can afford to travel, you can afford to buy a travel insurance. All things can happen while on the road and you can never be too sure. And it's something that you'll be glad to have when you need it. For my preferred travel insurance, I use Safety Wing .

What To Wear: If you want some ideas on what to pack for France, check out this packing list guide for France .

Where To Stay: I personally use Booking.com for all my accommodations. Check out for their latest deals here .

Reading Resources: Check out our best reading resources here .

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.

Sharing is caring!

12 Interesting Facts About Arc De Triomphe - Journey To France

Wednesday 23rd of March 2022

[…] grandness and eventful history, the Arc de Triomphe is also noteworthy, despite the fact that the Eiffel Tower is often considered as Paris’ ultimate […]

Guide To Paris 7th Arrondissement - Journey To France

Monday 21st of February 2022

[…] one of the city’s most coveted areas, thanks to its central location and plenty of charm. The Eiffel Tower and the Orsay Museum are just two of the many must-see attractions in this rich, highly regarded […]

Guide To Paris 8th Arrondissement - Journey To France

Sunday 9th of January 2022

[…] one of the best spots in Paris to catch a sunset. From the bridge, you can also see the Eiffel Tower and the Invalides, two iconic Parisian […]

11 Fun Things To Do In Paris At Night - Journey To France

Sunday 2nd of January 2022

[…] is home to some of the world’s most well-known tourist sites, including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de […]

11 Best Michelin Restaurants In Paris - Journey To France

[…] a meal at the Eiffel Tower in Paris is anything but cliche, which is why Le Jules Verne is a must experience. Le Jules Verne […]

Eiffel Tower in Paris: 22 Fun facts and history

• Post category: Facts and history / Paris & Île-de-France
• Post author: Nassie Angadi

She goes by many names. La Tour Eiffel or la Dame de Fer (“The Iron Lady”) in French, and of course the Eiffel Tower to the rest of the world. I call her “she” as opposed to “it” because that is how she is referred to in French.

Instantly recognizable, the Eiffel Tower has become the symbol of not only Paris, but also all of France . But did you know though, that as a towering symbol, Parisians detested this “ugly modern pile of junk”?

These days we can’t imagine a world without the Eiffel Tower, a French landmark with no equal. As a local in Paris , I tend to instinctively look for her after coming out of the underground metro , to gauge where I am and which direction I’m heading towards.

What a difference a few decades makes. Today, tourists the world over flock to the Eiffel Tower to take in the views from all around and its observation decks. With expansive views stretching from the Arc de Triomphe to Bastille , millions of visitors put it on their bucket list every year, making it one of the top tourist attractions in France .

So let’s plunge into the beginning shall we, with a few facts about the Eiffel Tower in Paris, shall we? Allons-y!

1. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel.

The Eiffel Tower is named after its engineer, Gustave Eiffel who was from the French city of Dijon .

Eiffel was not just any guy. He had constructed several buildings, bridges and viaducts around France before the Eiffel Tower.

He was also just coming off of another large French project building the metal framework with sculptor Frédéric Auguste Barthold for the Statue of Liberty which opened in 1886.

A smaller version of the Statue of Liberty can be found a few 100 yards away from the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Pont de Grenelle bridge .

2. It took 2 years to construct.

Construction of the Eiffel Tower started on 26th January 1887, and was completed in 2 years, 2 months and 5 days, a massive technological feat.

Each of the 18,000 pieces used to construct the Tower were specifically designed and calculated, traced out to an accuracy of a tenth of a millimetre and then attached together using 2,500,000 rivets.

Along with Eiffel, the names of 72 engineers, scientists, and mathematicians who contributed to its construction are engraved on the side of the tower.

3. It was built for the World’s Fair in 1889.

In an era when world fairs were a real spectacle , the Eiffel Tower was built as a centerpiece for the 1889 World Fair in Paris .

Nearly 2 million people visited Paris during that World Fair, by all accounts a complete success. At the time, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest tower in the world and people were keen to admire this architectural masterpiece.

Amongst the famous visitors in 1889 were several royals including:

• British Crown Prince Albert-Victor
• King Alexander III of Russia
• Archduke Charles Ferdinand of Austria
• King Oscar II of Sweden
• King Leopold II of Belgium

These days, it is estimated 7 million people visit the tower annually.

4. It was supposed to be a temporary structure.

The Tour Eiffel was supposed to be temporary as it was supposed to be dismantled within 20 years.

About 80% of the funding for the tower had come from Gustave Eiffel himself, and so the 20-year lease of the property was to allow him to recuperate his investment by selling tickets, exhibitions, etc.

He didn’t need that long however, just 6 months after it opened when he broke even on his investment. 

5. Parisians hated it.

Today the Eiffel Tower may be a symbol of this romantic City of Lights we know as Paris, but when construction was going on, the project was detested.

On Valentine’s Day in 1887, a group of famous Parisian artists and intellectuals signed the following letter that ran in the Le Temps newspaper:

“We come, writers , painters , sculptors, architects, passionate lovers of the hitherto intact beauty of Paris, to protest with all our strength, with all our indignation, in the name of little-known French taste, in the name of art and French history threatened, against the erection, in the heart of our capital, of the useless and monstrous Eiffel Tower, which public malignancy, often imbued with common sense and the spirit of justice, has already baptized with the name of “Babel Tower”. It suffices, moreover, to realize what we are advancing, to imagine for a moment a vertiginously ridiculous tower, dominating Paris, as well as a gigantic and black factory chimney, crushing Notre-Dame with its barbarous mass. The Sainte-Chapelle , the Saint-Jacques tower, the Louvre , the dome of the Invalides , the Arc de Triomphe, all our humiliated monuments, all our shrunken architecture, which will disappear in this astonishing dream.  And for twenty years we will see the entire city stretch out, still quivering with the genius of so many centuries, we will see the odious shadow of the odious bolted sheet metal column stretch like a stain of ink. La protestation des Artistes – Le Temps du 14 février 1887

A French author named Guy de Maupassant hated it so much, he decided to make a statement: he ate lunch on the second floor there everyday. As he said, it was the only place in all of Paris from where he didn’t have to look at it blighting the landscape.

Now, I should note that this sort of protest is not really unusual for French people. Other Parisian landmarks like the Louvre pyramid , Centre Pompidou , and Tour Montparnasse were all detested as they were constructed. (As a Parisian, I can confirm Tour Montparnasse remains a blight on this city.)

☞ READ MORE: Fun Facts about French Culture

6. It was used for science and radio antennas.

Gustave Eiffel might have suspected that his tower was not going to get a warm reception, so he had a plan to prove its usefulness. One of the most interesting facts about the Eiffel tower is that the Iron Lady was not to be just some pretty young thing, it was to become a tool for studying science.

Meteorological, astronomical, physics and telegraph experiments were conducted in the tower. With a passion for aerodynamics, all sorts of scientific apparatus was installed (barometers, anemometers, lightning conductors etc.)

Notably he even Thomas Edison there, who offered him his famous “spectacle” class M type Phonograph.

He also erected a radio antenna on top of the tower. The value of the tower in sending and receiving wireless messages became particularly important to the French military, which is why the tower continued to stand after its 20 year initial lease expired in 1910.

7. It used to be the tallest structure in Paris and the world.

In a city which doesn’t have many skyscrapers, the Eiffel Tower is a prominent 324-meter-tall structure. It was actually slightly shorter when it was built, with the difference being more modern antennas added to the top.

For 41 years, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world, until the Chrysler Building in New York was completed in 1930, topping out at 1046 feet.

In 1957, an antenna was added to increase the Eiffel Tower’s height by 67 feet, making it slight taller. However, by that time, the Empire State Building in New York had become the tallest in the world at 1454 feet.

Antennas keep being added to the Eiffel tower, including a new one in 2022, but the days of being the “tallest” have long passed.

8. It has a lot of steps to get to the top.

It was the tallest structure in France until the construction of a military transmitter in the town of Saissac in 1973. With several staircases, there are 1665 steps from bottom to the top floor. 

9. It has 5 elevators.

If 1665 steps seems like too much walking for you, there are 5 elevators from the ground esplanade to second floor along with several sets of stairs, and another two elevators from second floor to the top of the tower.

The Eiffel Tower was supposed to be purely “Made in France” until the engineers discovered that the only elevators using hydraulic technology to go up and down the sloping sides, were from the U.S.A. In order to solve this paperwork problem, they simply made the Otis Brothers honorary French citizens. 

10. There is an apartment at the top.

Location, location, location. If you are looking for an apartment with a view on the west side of the city, this is it. Gustave Eiffel built himself an apartment at the top of the Tower, though it is not really one he lived in for any period of time.

Built as a place to welcome visitors and dignitaries, the apartment is around 100 sq meters (1076 sq feet). Although that sounds somewhat large, at least when compared to the size of expensive Parisian apartments , it does not have a bedroom, and a large portion of it is occupied by an elevator cabin and other technical installations.

The apartment is at times available for tours, with wax sculptures of Gustave Eiffel, his daughter Claire, and Thomas Edison. There is a living room with a table, a couch, a piano and three small desks, a kitchen, a bathroom with a sink, and a separate toilet cubicle.

It was primarily designed to comfortably accommodate notable guests and for Gustave Eiffel to work on scientific experiments. But there is a wrap-around balcony!

11. It was used as a transmitter during WWI.

Being a radio antenna tower, the Tour Eiffel was used as a transmitter during WWI between 1914-1918, to jam German radio communications and to hinder their advance.

While much of France was under German occupation, Paris remained a refuge for soldiers from the French and the Allied powers army units. The Eiffel tower thus remained safe. You can read more facts about Paris here.

12. It was almost destroyed in WWII.

It’s existence was under greater thread during WWII when Paris was fully occupied by German forces in 1940. Hitler visited Paris that same year, and wanted to hang a German Reich flag from the top. Unluckily for him, the tower’s lift cables were mysteriously cut right before he could do so.

Towards the end of the war, in 1944, as the Allies approached Paris, Hitler ordered the German General in charge of Paris to demolish the Eiffel tower and other parts of the city as part of their retreat. The General refused and the Eiffel Tower and Paris could finally breathe a huge sigh of relief after 4 long years under threat.

13. It has a 3 restaurants.

If you are feeling a bit peckish when you get to the top of the Eiffel Tower, never fear because there are 3 restaurants within the tower. (You might fear for your wallet however.)

For a snack, there is the Buffets one the 1st and 2nd floor which has snack food for the whole family. They also offer takeaway.

Then there is the Jules Verne (named after the famous French author ) on the 2nd floor, which serves classics of gastronomical French cuisine. It is a Michelin-starred restaurant, so expect to be dressed appropriately.

And finally, right at the top, is a Bar à Champagne, which along with various types of champagne , also offers non-alcoholic drinks for those who are looking for a view without a tipple.

14. It has an ice skating rink in winter.

In winter time, there is a small ice skating rink installed on the 1st floor of Eiffel Tower, giving expansive views of the city.

You do have to pay to access the 1st floor, but once you get up there, access to rink, as well as ice skate rental, is free.

15. It expands and contracts.

The Eiffel tower looks pretty stable, but it has a secret. It expands around 15cm (6inches) in the summer heat and contracts in the winter.

Not to worry though, Gustave Eiffel’s engineering has stood the test of time, and these adjustments were taken into account in its construction.

16. Nighttime photos of the Eiffel Tower are illegal.

If you happen to be near the Eiffel Tower as the sun goes down, you will notice that lights go on every evening on the Eiffel Tower. There is usually a small light show once upon the hour, until past midnight.

However, you cannot a actually publish photos of the Eiffel tower lit up at night because it is illegal. The lighting is considered a copyrighted art installation, and thus belongs to the artist.

17. Replicas of the Eiffel Tower are all over the world.

You have definitely seen the Eiffel Tower replica in Las Vegas, but have you seen the one in Shenzhen, China?

There are over 50 different replicas and derivatives of the Eiffel Tower, including a pretty good facsimile in the town of Paris, Texas in the U.S.A.

18. It is repainted every 7 years.

If you are wondering why the Iron Lady still looks so spritely after 100+ years, it is because it is regularly repainted. When it opened in 1889, the Eiffel Tower was a reddish-brown color. A few years later it was repainted in a yellow-brown color. In 1968, the powers-that-be finally selected a specially mixed “Eiffel Tower Brown” which is the color it is today.

Every seven years, a grand chantier takes place, using about 60 tonnes of paint to bring the Eiffel Tower back to its full glory.

19. Aviators have tried to fly under the arch.

Many an aviator has tried flying under the arches of the tower, not always successfully. In 1926, Leon Collet died after a failed attempt. In 1944, an American fighter pilot is believed to have passed under the Tower in his to chase down a German fighter plane. 

The most recent attempt was in 1991, when a stunt-plane pilot on a Sunday at dawn.

20. A conman sold the Eiffel Tower.

In 1925, a conman named Victor Lustig chanced upon a newspaper article discussing the problems faced with maintaining the Eiffel Tower, which gave him inspiration for a new con. At the time, the monument had begun to fall into disrepair, and the city was finding it expensive to maintain.

He posed as a government official and succeeded in “selling” the Eiffel Tower for scrap metal. When his first buyer, André Poisson, discovered he was duped, he was so ashamed that he didn’t notify the authorities. So Lustig “sold” it, again. This time however, the French authorities were alerted and Lustig fled to the U.S. to escape prosecution.

21. Charles de Gaulle wanted to move it.

In keeping with its world fair origins, French President Charles de Gaulle tried to arrange for the tower to be dismantled and relocated to Montreal for the World Expo 1967.  (This was part of his push to have French-speaking Quebec separate from the rest of Canada. Thankfully, neither event happened!)

22. There is a famous poem about it.

A wonderful poem many French children learn in primary school is Maurice Carême’s La Tour Eiffel . Carême is Belgian not a French poet , but it remains a lovely poem about Paris nonetheless.

If you enjoyed reading that article, you might enjoy reading more facts about Paris and France here. A bientôt!

You Might Also Like

Arènes de Lutèce: the Roman arena in Paris

Occitan and Provençal: Languages of southern France

26 Romantic things a local will tell you to do in Paris

Rue Cler in Paris: What to see, do and eat

Leave a reply cancel reply.

• Paris & Île-de-France
• Alsace & Lorraine
• Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
• Bretagne & Normandy
• Auvergne Rhône Alpes
• Loire Valley
• Northern France
• Nouvelle Aquitaine
• Provence & French Riviera
• Living in France
• French Parenting
• French Holidays
• French Language
• French Etiquette
• French Music
• Moving to France
• Facts and history
• Appetizers & Starters
• Main dishes
• Side dishes
• Get the Look
• Newsletter archives

10 fascinating facts to mark Eiffel Tower Day

Mar 30, 2022 • 4 min read

The Eiffel Tower is more than an iconic structure; it boasts its own fascinating history ©Westend61/Getty Images

It may be an icon of Paris , but the history of the Eiffel Tower is far from straightforward. It’s been called everything from ridiculous to record-breaking, and has been the home of secret apartments and tragic accidents.

These ten amazing facts about the Eiffel Tower will shed a little light on the icon’s secret history to mark Eiffel Tower Day on 31 March.

1. It was controversial

Contemporary critics initially described the design as “monstrous”, “useless”, “ridiculous” and a "hateful column of bolted sheet metal” and an official petition was launched to try and stop its construction. Some architects even thought it was physically impossible to build a structure of such a height.

2. It was originally designed as an entrance

Built for the 1889 World’s Fair, the tower was originally a monumental gateway like the Arc de Triomphe , as well as a showpiece for new revolutionary iron-lattice architecture. It has since found a place in Parisian hearts - as well as proving useful as a communication tower - and has so far lasted 113 years beyond its scheduled dismantling date.

3. It is painted different colors

The Eiffel Tower is painted in three different shades of brown, with the darkest shade on the top and the lightest on the bottom. The shading is meant to counteract atmospheric haze, and make the structure appear one uniform color from top to bottom. In previous lives, the tower was once painted bright red and yellow.

4. It shrinks in winter

Cold weather causes the metal of the tower to shrink, while heat makes it expand. The difference in the height of Eiffel Tower can be up to 15 centimeters. And yes, the top of the Tower can sway in the wind too.

7 attractions you should skip (and where to head instead)

5. There’s a (not so) secret apartment at the top

Architect Gustave Eiffel had his own apartment at the top of the tower to conduct experiments and receive notable guests. However, it was not designed to sleep in as there was no bed. After being locked away for years, the office has been recreated and is now open to the public by tour.

6. Taking pictures of the tower at night is tricky

While the tower design is in the public domain, the lighting display is copyrighted, meaning it is illegal to commercially distribute any photographs of it. It is not illegal, however, to take them, as is often reported. French law remains a bit murky when it comes to publishing pictures on, say, your Instagram feed though.

7. It can be dangerous

The Eiffel Tower’s first floor has long been a magnet for daredevils. In 1912, Franz Reichelt jumped to his death from the platform while attempting to demonstrate a wearable parachute, while in 1926 Léon Collot tried to fly his plane beneath the first floor arch and crashed.

8. It has many copycats

The Eiffel Tower has spawned many replicas, including in Pakistan , Russia and Las Vegas the earliest building to take inspiration from the structure was the Blackpool Tower . It was built five years after its French cousin, after the town’s mayor demanded something similarly grand beside the Lancashire seaside.

9. It’s a record-breaker

Like the Great Pyramid of Giza , the Empire State Building and the Burj Khalifa , the Eiffel Tower once claimed the distinction of being the world’s tallest structure – only to be overtaken by the Chrysler Building in 1930. However, in 1957 it passed its old adversary in New York after radio masts were added.  In March 2022,  it  grew again by six metres (20 feet)  when new radio antenna were fitted at the top from a helicopter.   It now stands at 330 metres in height after the new addition.

It’s also the world’s most visited paid-for tourist attraction – more than 300 million people have ascended its giddy heights since opening, or four times the population of France today.

10. It has a heart of glass

In 2014, the tower emerged from a major refit to mark its 125th anniversary, the most impressive feature of which is a new glass platform on the first floor. Now visitors can tiptoe nervously while looking at the giant queues far below.

You might also like:

You may also like:  20 free things to do in Paris The 7 best day trips from Paris Top 20 free things to do in Paris

This article was first published October 2020 and updated March 2022

Explore related stories

Art and Culture

Sep 21, 2022 • 10 min read

The Met has enough in its collection to keep an art lover occupied for years. But what if you haven't got that long? These itineraries can help.

Sep 6, 2022 • 5 min read

Oct 1, 2019 • 5 min read

Mar 31, 2024 • 10 min read

Mar 29, 2024 • 6 min read

Mar 23, 2024 • 9 min read

Mar 22, 2024 • 5 min read

Mar 15, 2024 • 10 min read

Mar 14, 2024 • 6 min read

Mar 13, 2024 • 6 min read

• Corrections

What Are the 11 Most Interesting Facts About the Eiffel Tower?

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic monuments in the entire world. We look at some of the most fascinating facts surrounding its 130 year history.

The Eiffel Tower is the ultimate symbol of Paris, towering over the city with its distinctive lattice structure that curves upwards towards the sky. Once the tallest building in the world , the Eiffel Tower became a symbol of ingenuity and modernity during the 20 th century. Since then, it is the inimitable, historical icon of Paris, attracting millions of tourists every year. It can also be seen from much of Paris, making it an important emblem for the people who live there. We take a look through some of the most fascinating and unusual facts about the Eiffel Tower in order to celebrate this marvel of architectural engineering.

1. It Was Designed by Gustave Eiffel

The Eiffel Tower was designed by the esteemed engineer Gustave Eiffel , who ran a busy workshop in Levallois Perret, near Paris. His engineering company specialised in metal frameworks, many of which featured the same distinct lattice metalwork seen in the Eiffel Tower. Some of his most notable constructions include the Porto Viaduct in Portugal, the Viaduct du Garabit in France, and the metal framework for the Statue of Liberty . Eiffel won an open competition to design the Eiffel Tower, which was to be the crowning glory during the Paris World Fair of 1889.

2. It Took 22 Months to Complete

The construction of the Eiffel Tower took around 22 months to complete, a remarkable feat for the time, when workers had far fewer of the machines and tools we rely on today. Miraculously, given how high workers had to climb, no one was killed or hurt during the tower’s construction.

3. The Eiffel Tower Is Made of Iron

Get the latest articles delivered to your inbox

Please check your inbox to activate your subscription.

Gustave Eiffel had a reputation for producing iron monuments which could withstand all weather conditions, and the Eiffel Tower was no exception. He used a particular type of iron for the tower called ‘Puddle Iron’, derived from the Pompey Forges in the East of France. The name of this iron comes from the refining or ‘puddling’ process the metal goes through, which eliminates excess carbon after melting the ore. Gustave argued this type of iron was the strongest and most robust building material in the world. 

4. The Eiffel Tower Has Three Floors

The Eiffel Tower has three floors in total, all of which are open to visitors. The first two floors are accessible by stairs and an elevator, while the top level, or summit, must be climbed by steps. The first two floors feature restaurants and cafes, while on each level there is an observational deck for looking out into the city of Paris from on high. 

5. It’s as heavy as an Entire Freight Train

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the weight of the Parisian tower is impressively high, coming in at about the same weight as an entire freight train. In total, estimates suggest it is around 10,100 tons. The metal framework alone weighs around 7,300 tons, while the thick layer of protective paint on its surface is 60 tons!

6. The Eiffel Tower Has to be Repainted Every 7 Years

Under Gustave Eiffel’s strict instruction, the Eiffel Tower must be repainted with a thick layer of protective paint every 7 years, in order to protect the iron from the corrosive effects of the weather. The Parisian government have stuck to these conditions over the past century, which is one of the reasons why it still appears in such pristine condition today. Over the years, the tower has been painted various different colors , from the original reddish-brown shade to bright yellow. In 1968, a specially mixed paint shade called “Eiffel Tower Brown”, was adopted by the French, which is still in use today.

7. Artists Staged a Protest About the Eiffel Tower

The tower was not universally accepted by Parisians in its day – in fact, a group of 300 artists and academics staged an angry protest calling for its immediate removal, referring to the tower as “…the useless and monstrous Eiffel Tower,” likening it to a “gigantic black factory chimney.”

8. It Has Limited Visitor Capacity

The Eiffel Tower might be a hefty monument, but it still does have a limited visitor capacity of 5,000, to be split over different levels at the same time, because of the tower’s tapered shape. The first and largest level can carry the weight of 3,000 people, the second level is narrower, and can hold around 1,600, while the much smaller top level can house only 400 people. 

9. It Was Once the Tallest Building in the World

The Eiffel Tower was part of the ‘race to the sky’ in the late 19 th century,  and it hit the record for the world’s tallest building in 1889 , at 986 feet. However, it only stayed in the top spot for four decades, after which time both the Chrysler Building, followed by the Empire State Building set new records. 

10. Smaller Replica Eiffel Towers Exist Around the World

The tower is so famous today that a series of small replica towers of the same design have been created in cities around the world. These include Las Vegas, Tokyo, Brazil, Riga, and Sydney.

11. The Eiffel Tower is Going Gold ahead of the 2024 Olympics

In 2024, The Eiffel Tower will be revamped with a golden paint hue, to coincide with the 2024 Paris Olympics. The repainting job will be one of the tower’s most extensive revamps in 130 years.

What Are the 5 Tallest Buildings in the World?

By Rosie Lesso MA Contemporary Art Theory, BA Fine Art Rosie is a contributing writer and artist based in Scotland. She has produced writing for a wide range of arts organizations including Tate Modern, The National Galleries of Scotland, Art Monthly, and Scottish Art News, with a focus on modern and contemporary art. She holds an MA in Contemporary Art Theory from the University of Edinburgh and a BA in Fine Art from Edinburgh College of Art. Previously she has worked in both curatorial and educational roles, discovering how stories and history can really enrich our experience of art.

Frequently Read Together

What Made Robert Delaunay’s Eiffel Tower Paintings So Famous?

Who Is Gustave Eiffel? 5 Facts on the French Engineer

What Are 7 Interesting Facts About the Statue of Liberty?

10 fun facts about the Eiffel Tower

Since the Eiffel Tower ’s 1889 inauguration in Paris , over 300 million visitors have visited the iconic attraction. Historically designed to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution, this structural wonder dominates the Parisian skyline today.

Back in the 19th century, the construction of this “Iron Lady” was no easy feat—60 tons of paint, 7,300 tons of iron, and 2.5 million rivets were used. Under the watchful eye of Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, it took two years, two months and five days for the structure to be completed.

Before your Eiffel Tower tour , discover some monumental truths about this landmark. There are also plenty of lesser known facts (and secrets) about the Eiffel Tower that will pique your interest.

1. It was the tallest man-made structure until 1930

The Eiffel Tower reigned supreme as the tallest man-made structure in the world for about four decades. Without its antenna, the Eiffel Tower stood at a staggering 984 feet. From 1930 onwards, it was officially surpassed by the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in New York .

With a net worth of 400 billion euros today—six times that of the Colosseum in Rome and more than the Tower of London —the Eiffel Tower is no doubt a hallmark of engineering and modern architecture. Take a guided tour to learn more about this grand dame.

2. The Eiffel Tower was supposed to be demolished after 20 years

The Eiffel Tower was built to flaunt France ’s industrial prowess at the 1889 World Fair. But when its permit expired in 1909, it was ready to be dismantled. To preserve this landmark, a radio antenna was erected atop the Eiffel Tower—and the plan worked. City officials felt that it was too valuable as a radio transmission tower and decided against tearing it down.

3. Believe it not, the Eiffel Tower was once yellow

Made of wrought iron, the Eiffel Tower needed a protective coat to counteract any natural elements. During its official launch, it sported a copper-brown color. But after a decade, its metallic structure was coated in yellow paint instead.

From 1968 onwards, the signature “Eiffel Tower Brown” became the official color. The darkest shade was painted on top, and the lightest on the bottom—giving it a subtle ombre effect. Take a closer look at the paintwork as you make your way up the Eiffel Tower .

4. The Eiffel Tower can only be painted by hand

It takes a lot of primping to look fab at 133 years old. Here’s a fun fact about the Eiffel Tower: It’s painted the traditional way—mostly by hand. The Eiffel Tower is stripped of its color and repainted every seven years by 50 painters. To date, the tower has been repainted 19 times.

On average, at least 60 tons of paint are applied to the whole structure to prevent the iron exteriors from rusting. The Eiffel Tower has since undergone a sparkling golden makeover for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

5. The Eiffel Tower has a (not so) secret apartment

Architect Gustave Eiffel cleverly included a private apartment at his namesake tower—possibly the world’s most enviable address. Perched 1,000 feet above Champ de Mars , this space was used to conduct experiments and host impressive guests like Thomas Edison.

After being locked away for years, you can now view this hidden sanctuary, with much of the furnishing still in place. Maximize your time with skip-the-line tickets and bask in the aerial views from up here.

6. You’ll see 72 names engraved at the base

Not known to many, the Eiffel Tower was practically a science lab. Inspect the tower’s details, and you’ll notice 72 names engraved on the edge of the first floor. These names were previously covered up, but restorative efforts made their golden letters visible again. It’s a symbolic way of paying homage to the scholars, scientists, and mathematicians who contributed tirelessly to the tower’s successful assembly.

7. There’s a tiny post office, too

If you’re thinking of a novel souvenir, swing by the Eiffel Tower’s post office on the first floor (at the south pillar). Pick a postcard and mail it back home. It’ll be delivered with an exclusive "Tour Eiffel Paris” stamp, something you can’t get anywhere else. Consider this a special memento to commemorate your trip, or send a surprise letter to a loved one back home.

8. The Eiffel Tower’s height changes with the seasons

Here’s another interesting fact about the Eiffel Tower: Its height changes with the seasons. If you’re visiting in summer, the tower is actually taller as the iron structure expands up to 7 inches when temperatures are as high as 104°F. In winter, the cold weather causes the tower to shrink up to 6 inches. Besides the seasonal changes, strong winds and bad weather can also cause the tower to sway.

9. To get to the top, you’ll have to climb 1,665 steps

The Eiffel Tower comprises three sections. On the first level (189 feet high), you’ll find an observation area, souvenir shops, and Madame Brasserie , a chic restaurant. Challenge yourself to walk on the glass floor; it affords expansive views of the city beneath your feet.

The second level—at 379 feet—includes a Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Jules Verne , plus another observation deck. From up here, keep your eyes peeled for famous sights like the Louvre Museum , Arc de Triomphe , and Champs Élysées .

Unless your fear of heights gets in the way, head to the top floor which is 905 feet above the ground. Revel in panoramic views while sipping some rosé at Bar à Champagne . The climb (and all 1,665 steps) will be worth celebrating.

10. It’s actually illegal to publish photographs of the lit-up Eiffel Tower

During the daily illumination show, catch the Eiffel Tower twinkling in its full glory. The iron edifice sparkles after sunset thanks to the 20,000 light bulbs adorning it.

Before you get all excited to post on your newsfeed, remember: the light display is essentially an artwork protected by copyright. Capturing and sharing photos of the Eiffel Tower is fine for personal use, but not for commercial purposes. Don’t risk getting into trouble with the French authorities.

Recommended tours and activities

More like this:

• 12 hotels in Paris with the best Eiffel Tower views
• 11 restaurants in Paris with the best Eiffel Tower views
• Top 10 Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris for the best dining experience

40 fascinating facts about the Eiffel Tower, the landmark that has just grown taller

During cold weather the tower shrinks by about six inches, but this week it grew by six metres

The Eiffel Tower has grown. Thanks to a new antenna, the Parisian landmark is now 330 metres tall – six more than it was last week. 

Interestingly (kind of), this is actually the fifth time the pinnacle height of the Eiffel Tower has changed. When it was completed in 1889, the tip of its flagpole was 312.27 metres (1,025ft) above the ground. An antenna extended its extremity to 320.75m (1,052ft) in 1957. It shrank by nine feet after a new antenna was installed in 1991, before further changes in 1994 and 2000. Now you know. 

Here are few other things you might not have known about the iconic structure:

1. Completed on March 31, 1889, the tower was the world's tallest man-made structure for 41 years until the completion of the Chrysler Building in New York in 1930. 

2. As well as being 330 metres tall (including that lovely new antenna), it weighs approximately 10,100 tonnes.

3. It was the tallest structure in France until the construction of a military transmitter in the town of Saissac in 1973. The Millau Viaduct, completed in 2004, is also taller, at 343 metres, and the current record holders are a pair of transmitters, one in Allouis and another in Rosnay, that both reach 350 metres. If one were to superglue 100 20cm chopsticks together, and add them to the top of the Eiffel Tower's new antenna, it would reclaim the record.   

4. Most people take the lift, but you can climb the stairs from the bottom of the Eiffel Tower up to the 2nd floor, a total of 674 steps. Another 991 steps lead to the top, but this section is not open to the public. 

5. The lifts travel a combined distance of 103,000 km a year – two-and-a-half times the circumference of the Earth.

6. Victor Lustig, a con artist, "sold" the tower for scrap metal on two separate occasions.

7. During cold weather the tower shrinks by about six inches. 

8. Gustave Eiffel, the engineer and architect behind the tower, was also involved in a disastrous attempt by the French to build a canal in Panama, and his reputation was badly damaged by the failure of the venture.

9. Eiffel also designed interior elements of the Statue of Liberty.

10. He died while listening to Beethoven's 5th symphony.

11. Since its opening, more than 300 million people have visited the tower.

12. Pre-Covid, the tower welcomed almost 7 million people a year, making it the most visited paid-for monument in the world.

13. Its construction took two years, two months and five days – 180 years fewer than Paris's other great attraction, Notre Dame.

14. During the German occupation, the tower's lift cables were cut and it was closed to the public. Nazi soldiers then attempted to attach a swastika flag to the top, but it was so large it blew away and had to be replaced with a smaller one.

15. In 1944, as the Allies approached Paris, Hitler ordered Dietrich von Choltitz, the military governor of Paris , to demolish the tower, along with other parts of the city. The general refused.

16. Repainting the tower, which happens every seven years, requires 60 tonnes of paint.

17. The tower was the main exhibit at the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World's Fair), held to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution.

18. One attendee at the 1889 World's Fair was Sir John Bickerstaffe, Mayor of Blackpool. So impressed was he at the new attraction, he has a similar tower built on the English seafront.

19. The tower appears in the 1985 Bond film  A View to a Kill . There is a scene in the Jules Verne restaurant, and a fight in the stairway.

20. Semolina Pilchard climbs the Eiffel Tower in the Beatles song  I Am the Walrus .

21. There are a number of other replicas around the world, including one in Las Vegas and one at the Window of the World theme park in Shenzhen, China.

22. The tower played a part in the Allied victory at the First Battle of the Marne, in 1914. One of its transmitters jammed German radio communications, hindering their advance.

23. It was originally intended to stand for 20 years before being dismantled, but its use as a wireless telegraph transmitter (in cases such as the one above) meant it was allowed to stay.

24. French car manufacturer Citroen used the tower as a giant billboard between 1925 and 1934 – the company name was emblazoned on the tower using a quarter of a million light bulbs – and was recorded as the world's biggest advertisement by the Guinness Book of Records.

25. In 2008 a woman with an objects fetish married the Eiffel Tower, changing her name to Erika La Tour Eiffel in honour of her "partner".

26. The tower comprises 18,000 metallic parts, joined together by 2.5 million rivets.

27. To mark the 125th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower's completion the British Virgin Islands launched a special tower-shaped $10 coin.

28. A number of aviators have flown an aircraft under the arches of the tower. In 1926 Leon Collet was killed after a failed attempt.

29. The tower sways around six to seven centimetres (2-3 inches) in the wind.

30. Gustave Eiffel kept a small apartment of the third floor for entertaining friends. It is now open to the public.

31. The Eiffel Tower and Margaret Thatcher share the same nickname – La Dame de Fer ("The Iron Lady").

32. In 1960 Charles de Gaulle proposed temporarily dismantling the tower and sending it to Montreal for Expo 67. The plan was rejected.

33. The names of 72 engineers, scientists and mathematicians are engraved on the side of the tower, each of whom contributed to its construction.

34. In the computer game  Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 , the tower is toppled by an airstrike.

35. There are 20,000 lightbulbs used on the Eiffel Tower to make it sparkle every night.

36. Ever wanted to build your own Eiffel Tower? There's a LEGO set for that – number 21019 (it contains 321 bricks).

37. It costs €25.90 to take the lift to the top.

38. Pre-Covid, the majority of visitors (10.4%) were French, followed by Italy and Spain (8.1% each), USA (7.9%), Britain (7.4%), Germany (5.8%) and Brazil (5.5%).

39. In 1905 a local newspaper organised a stair climbing championship at the tower. AM Forestier won, taking three minutes and 12 seconds to reach the second level.

40. Pierre Labric cycled down the stairs of the tower in 1923. He won a bet, but was arrested by local police.

• Facebook Icon
• WhatsApp Icon

What's On in Paris

Performances.

• Christmas in Paris
• The Eiffel Tower

Monuments in Paris

Historic churches, history museums.

• The Louvre Museum
• Musée d'Orsay

The Top Paris Museums

Artist museums, more paris museums.

Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line

The 6 essential day trips, 10 more iconic day tours, what to do in paris, seine river cruises, night in the city of light, paris city tours, walking tours, your own private paris.

• Romantic Dinner Cruises

The Top Left Bank Hotels

The best hotels in paris, boutique & romantic, top hotels near…, preferred 5-star hotels, the palaces of paris, affordable hotels.

Le Marais Food & Wine Tour

Food & wine activities, the foods of paris, memorable paris dining, best paris restaurants, paris restaurant guide.

• Bistros & Brasseries

Top-Rated Restaurants

• Visit the Champagne Region

Paris Attractions

You ask, we answer, visiting burgundy, paris miscellanea, top ten lists, unusual paris sights, paris gardens & parks, the paris explorer.

• What's On When You're Here

Airports & Transfers

Getting around paris, paris travel guide, paris essentials, train travel, paris arrondissements, twenty true facts about the eiffel tower – the iron lady of paris, 20 true facts about the eiffel tower.

One of the fascinating things about the Eiffel Tower is that it was inspired by 19th-century bridge design, utilizing bridge engineering technology in its construction. The germ of the idea that eventually became La Tour Eiffel was a design fantasy of a couple of engineers working in Gustave Eiffel's office. At that time, most of Eiffel's company's projects involved designing and building iron bridges all over the world.

Our Top-Rated Eiffel Tower Experiences

1. Skip-the Line Eiffel Tower Tour… Don't waste your precious time in Paris standing in line

2. Dinner on the Eiffel Tower at Madame Brasserie… Reserve a table for a stunning view

3. Twilight Champagne Cruise + Eiffel Tower… Bubbly on the Seine, then skip the lines -->

3. Dinner Cruise + Eiffel Tower + Moulin Rouge… An evening out on the town

1. Skip-the Line Eiffel Tower Tour…

2. Dinner on the Eiffel Tower at Madame Brasserie…

3. Twilight Champagne Cruise + Eiffel Tower…

The Koechlin-Nouguier Tower?

The engineers began (more on them later) to wonder about placing two mirror-image bridge span sections back-to-back and then standing it upright. They concluded that, if the sections were long enough, they could created the tallest structure in the world. (In fact, at 300 meters the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world for four decades.) As luck and fate, would have it, soon after this idea came to the engineering duo, the French government sent out a call for proposals to create a monument to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, to be completed in time for the 1889 World Exposition that would celebrate the occasion.

And the rest is history…

Facts About The Eiffel Tower

• If there were any justice in its naming, it would have been called the Koechlin-Nouguier Tower , after the two engineers who originally conceived the idea. Of course, that doesn't quite roll off the tongue the way that "Eiffel Tower" does.
• It took 2 years, 2 months and 5 days to complete construction of the tower.
• The Eiffel Tower weighs about 10,000,000 kilograms, or 22 million pounds.
• At completion the Eiffel Tower was almost twice as high as the structure it surpassed for the title of tallest in the world. The Eiffel Tower at 300 meters, the Washington Monument at 172 meters. Hence, it was the first structure in the world to surpass 200 meters, and the first structure to surpass 300 meters.
• But, the Eiffel Tower only retained its status as world's tallest structure for 41 years, until it was beaten by the Chrysler Building in 1930.
• With the addition of radio towers on top , the Eiffel Tower is now 324 meters tall, as tall as an 81-story building.
• It takes 50,000 kilograms (110 tons) of paint to coat the Eiffel Tower.
• Three different shades of color are used to paint the tower to give it the proper perspective from the ground — so that it "looks" the same at the top as at the bottom.
• The Eiffel Tower is painted on a regular basis. As of 2021 it's been repainted eighteen times, once every six or seven years.
• The Iron Lady hasn't always been the golden brown color is it now. For the 1900 Exposition Universelle she was painted yellow.
• 2,500,000 rivets were used during the constructing of the tower.
• There are over 1,700 steps to Level Three, the very top. (Luckily, you're not allowed to walk up them any longer, but you can walk to the second level, which is only around 700 steps!)
• The first level is 57 meters above the ground, the second level is 115 meters, and the third level is 274 meters. (roughly 200 feet, 400 feet, 900 feet.)

Skip-the-Line at the Louvre Museum

The tower opened in 1889 at the Exposition Universelle , staged to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.

The elevator trip from the second level to the top level was originally made in two parts, with passengers having to change cars on a open catwalk halfway up the narrow part of the tower. We hope they didn't look down.

It was in 1999 that the hourly sparkly light display was added to the tower, to celebrate the new millennium. It takes 20,000 bulbs to create this effect.

The Eiffel Tower light display is copyrighted under French law, so that it is illegal to publish unapproved photographs of it (in France, at least).

The Eiffel Tower was instrumental during the Battle of the Marne in 1914, when signals sent from the tower directed French troops to the front lines.

Two million people visited the Eiffel Tower at its inauguration during the Exposition Universelle of 1889. Since then, more than 250 million visitors have joined them. (Not all at the same time, mind you.)

Until 2020, the ET welcomed over 9 million visitors a year, making it the most popular monument in the world. What lies in store for the Eiffel Tower in a post-Covid world? Stay tuned.

Eiffel Tower Resources

• French Name – La Tour Eiffel
• Address – 5 avenue Anatole France, Champs de Mars, 75007
• Open every day of the year

The Eiffel Tower – How To Get There

Boat, bus, bike or Metro – there are many ways to get to the Eiffel Tower from wherever you are in Paris. Here are a few Metro tips:

• Metro: Bir-Hakeim. This line runs above ground so you'll get another view of the tower as you cross the Seine.
• Metro: Alma. You'll arrive on the Right Bank by the original model of the Statue of Liberty's flame (these days, often considered a memorial to Princess Diana, who met her death in the tunnel below) and cross the Seine on the Pont d'Alma . It's a short but breathtaking stroll along the Seine to the Tour Eiffel – especially at night when the tower is lit.
• Metro: Trocadero. Arrive across the river at the Trocadero plaza and take a direct walk across the river.
• RER: Champs de Mars Tour Eiffel

Paris Planning Guides

Copyright © 2010-2023 Voconces Culinary Ltd, all rights reserved. Original photos © Mark Craft, all rights reserved.

• • April 2024 in Paris…
• • May 2024 in Paris…
• • June 2024 in Paris…
• • July 2024 in Paris…
• • August 2024 in Paris…
• • September 2024 in Paris…
• Paris Activities Month by Month
• Paris Olympics 2024
• Paris Events Calendar
• Museum Exhibitions Calendar
• Paris Ballet Calendar
• Paris Opera Calendar
• Christmas Day in Paris
• New Years Eve
• New Years Day in Paris
• Easter in Paris
• Valentines Day in Paris
• Bastille Day Celebrations
• Skip-the-Lines at the Eiffel Tower
• Visiting The Eiffel Tower
• Eiffel Tower Information
• See all…
• The Arc de Triomphe
• The Panthéon
• The Bastille
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• La Sainte Chapelle
• Sacre-Coeur Paris
• Chateau de Versailles
• Palais Garnier Opera House
• Hotel de Ville – The City Hall
• Get the Most from Your Visit
• Masterpieces of the Louvre
• Paintings of the Louvre
• Top 10 Van Goghs at d'Orsay
• Musée de l'Orangerie
• Centre Pompidou
• Musée Picasso
• Rodin Museum Paris
• Cluny Museum Paris
• Arts et Metiers
• Guimet Asian Arts Museum
• Galliera Fashion Museum
• Versailles the VIP Way
• Versailles History & Highlights
• D-Day Landing Beaches
• Monet's Gardens at Giverny
• Mont Saint-Michel
• Monet + Van Gogh
• VIP Private Day Trips
• 10 Ways to Skip the Lines
• 9 Most Romantic Things to Do
• 5 Top Activities In The Marais
• Lunch & Brunch Cruises
• Cruises with Extras!
• The 6 Best Evenings In Paris
• Moulin Rouge
• Paris at Night
• Hop-on, Open-Top Buses
• The 6 Best City Tours
• Private Tours of Paris
• Champagne & Shows
• Top 10 Walking Tours
• Mysterious Walking Tours
• Shangri-La Paris
• Hotel George V Paris
• The Royal Monceau
• Le Cinq Codet
• Peninsula Hotel Paris
• Hotel Le Burgundy
• See all …
• 10 Best 4-Star Hotels
• Top 3-Star Hotels
• Best Airport Hotels
• Latin Quarter Hotels
• Left Bank Hotels
• Romantic Paris Hotels
• Best 2-Star Hotels in Paris
• Ibis Hotels
• Les Hotels de Paris
• Best Western Hotels
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés
• Top 10 Food Experiences
• Paris Wine Tastings
• Chocolate Tours
• 10 Best Cheese Shops
• The Best Baguette in Paris
• Food Markets of Paris
• Le Jules Verne
• Jacques Faussat
• Restaurant Le Gabriel
• How to Choose a Restaurant
• The Best Paris Bars
• In the Marais
• On the Left Bank
• Historic Brasseries of Paris
• Michelin 3-Star Restaurants
• 6 Michelin-Star Restaurants
• See All…
• Best Paris Terraces
• Seine Dinner Cruise
• The Top 8 Tourist Attractions
• 5 Paris Itineraries
• Gardens & Parks
• Paris Hotels for Christmas?
• Best Restaurants in the 8th?
• Best Way To Visit Versailles?
• VIP Burgundy Wine Tour
• Burgundy Accommodations
• Napoleon's Paris
• Hemingway's Paris
• Medieval Paris
• 10 Tips For Visiting Paris
• 7 Vestiges of Roman Paris
• 13 Hidden Places In Paris
• Hidden Landmarks
• The Catacombs
• Pere Lachaise Cemetery
• Jardin des Tuileries
• Jardin des Plantes
• Palais Royal
• Rue des Barres in the Marais
• Waterfalls of Paris
• Arcades of Paris
• Airport Transfers
• Paris Airports
• Airport Taxis
• Train Travel From Paris
• Eurostar: London & Paris
• Paris Train Stations
• The Latin Quarter
• Saint-Germain-des-Pres
• Essential Facts for Visitors
• Taxes, Tipping & Etiquette
• What to Wear in Paris
• Maps of Paris
• The Paris Metro
• Paris Metro Tickets
• Paris Taxis
• Seine River Dinner Cruises
• Visiting Versailles
• Essential Day Trips

Turn Your Curiosity Into Discovery

Latest facts.

6 Facts You Didnt Know About Ecommerce Call Center Outsourcing

Tips and Tricks to Help You Create a HIPAA Compliant Email

Eiffel tower facts.

Written by Maci

Modified & Updated: 07 Jun 2022

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Of all the beautiful sights in France, the Eiffel Tower stands out as a symbol of its people. Found in the country’s romantic capital, this landmark has become one of the most romantic date spots for both tourists and locals. However, despite its world-renowned fame, there is still so much more that people don’t know about it. Find out more about this famous monument with these Eiffel Tower facts.

• The Eiffel Tower began construction on the 28th of January in 1887.
• It was completed on the 15th of March in 1889.
• The Eiffel Tower is around 324 meters tall to the tip.
• Its top floor reaches 276 meters up high. 
• The Eiffel Tower has 8 elevators within its premises.
• The Eiffel tower functions as an observation tower and a broadcasting tower.
• The tower was first opened to the public on the 31st of March in 1889.
• It is managed by the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE) group.
• The architect behind the Eiffel tower is known as Stephen Sauvestre. 
• The Eiffel tower is located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. 
• It is named after an engineer named Gustave Eiffel who worked with the company that built the tower
• The Eiffel tower held the world record for the tallest structure in the world for 41 years. 
• The Eiffel Tower was exhibited in the 1889 World’s fair to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution. 
• The inspiration for the Eiffel tower comes from the Latting Observatory found in New York City. 
• The first sketch for the concept of the Eiffel tower was done by Maurice Koechlin in 1884.
• The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable structures found in the world. 
• Spain rejected the Eiffel Tower.
• The Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure found in the city of Paris until 1973.
• Visitors may access the first three floors of the Eiffel tower during their visit. 
• Visitors can also use the stairs to climb up and down between the levels of the Eiffel tower.

Over 20,000 light bulbs light up the Eiffel tower each night.

For every hour each night, the Eiffel Tower will light up its 20,000 light bulbs for 10 minutes each time. This light display consumes a total of 7.8 million kWh of electricity each year which is also equivalent to powering a small village.

Tourists agree that the Eiffel Tower’s lights can be best seen at the Place du Trocadero, where many come to take photos and view the monument. The tower first lit up in 1889, placing gaslights in opalescent glass globes all over the tower.

The Eiffel tower is considered to be one of the most romantic spots in the world.

One of the widely-known Eiffel Tower facts is its status as the Symbol of Love due to the structure overlooking a breathtaking Paris view. Said to bring good luck to couples who visit it, many consider the Eiffel tower as the most romantic spot in the City of Love.

There is a Lego set made to recreate the Eiffel Tower with Lego pieces.

As an exclusive part of the LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection, the Lego Eiffel Tower set retails for a little over a thousand dollars. With 321 pieces in total, the finished set measures up to 12 inches high, 4 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. 

The set is also compatible with all other Lego construction sets to allow consumers more flexibility with their creative structures. The step-by-step instruction manual allows both children and adults to assemble the tower with ease. Grab the set and build the Eiffel Tower yourself here . 

Visiting the observation decks of the Eiffel Tower costs around 19 Euros.

When visiting the Eiffel Tower, tickets come at different prices depending on the visitor’s preference and age. Ticket prices will vary on factors such as access to all three floors of the Eiffel Tower, using either the elevator or the stairs, and the visitor’s age. 

Visitors may stay and enjoy the views and amenities of the Eiffel Tower from 9 AM until half-past midnight when the tower closes for the day. Additionally, depending on the day of the year, access to the tower may take longer during peak months and seasons.

A man once cycled down the stairs of the Eiffel Tower in 1923.

In 1923, a man named Pierre Labric once attempted to cycle down all the stairs of the Eiffel Tower to win a bet against someone. While Labric succeeded, he promptly got arrested when Parisian police came to the scene.

Many believe that this may have been a publicity stunt for a newspaper he was working for at the time, but it was never confirmed. Today, many photos of Pierre Labric’s attempts can be found online when you google his name.

Around 20% of the Eiffel tower visitors are of French nationality.

As of 2015, French nationalities only made up 20% of the Eiffel Tower’s visitors receives, with the other 80% coming from Europe and the US. On average, the United States and other South American countries made up around 10-15% of the Tower’s total visitors in 2015.

Additionally, the United Kingdom and other European countries such as Spain and Italy come next with an average of 6 to 7% each. The rest of the Eiffel Tower’s visitors come from Asia and the Middle East.

Since it first opened, the Eiffel Tower has received millions of visitors annually.

Upon its completion in 1889, the Eiffel Tower quickly became a huge success with the public. On its first opening, the monument attracted over 30,000 visitors who climbed the tower with a staircase over 1,710 steps long. 

It took 3 months since its opening for the Eiffel Tower to have elevators. Today, the view from the top of the tower remains to be considered as one of the best views in all of Paris, France.

The Eiffel Tower weighs around 10,100 tonnes.

Most of the weight of the Eiffel towers comes from the metal frames it uses, along with the rivets that secure the pieces in its place. When the French government built elevators into the monument, it also contributed to its weight.  

Additionally, this meant that only a limited number of people could be on the tower at a time for a safely-distributed weight. Today, the Eiffel Tower can hold no more than 5,000 people on its floors at once and a thousand or two less on its upper floors.

There are a total of 1,665 steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

During its early days, you could only climb up the Eiffel Tower through its 1,710 steps. However, some steps got removed over time for safety precautions. This also prevented visitors from going into parts of the monument that were off-limits to the public. 

Upon removal, these steps sold at auctions for large amounts due to their connection with the original workers of the historical monument. On average, visitors take around 30 to 45 minutes to complete climbing up the stairs of the Eiffel tower from its first to second floor.

The Eiffel Tower shrinks in size during the winter and colder months of the year.

During the winter, the Eiffel Tower has been noted to shrink in size by a few centimeters due to the cold weather affecting the metal frame of the monument. However, during the hotter months and the peak of summer, the metal frame of the Eiffel Tower expands, making the bigger by around 15 to 20 centimeters. 

This phenomena roots from the kinetic energy in a material’s atoms as it reacts to changes in its environment. This phenomenon can also be referred to as thermal expansion, which can also be observed in several other metallic structures.

Gustave Eiffel also designed the inner elements found in the Statue of Liberty.

After graduating from college, Gustave Eiffel began specializing in metal construction where he focused on making designs for bridges. Before working on the Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel was hired to replace the chief engineer on the Statue of Liberty after passing away in 1879.

Gustave Eiffel completed the design for the interior structure of the Statue of Liberty that finished construction in 1886. After the completion of the Statue of Liberty, Gustave Eiffel used the same design for the interior structure of the Eiffel Tower. Now there’s one for Eiffel Tower facts you never knew about.

During the German occupation, Nazis took control of the Eiffel Tower.

As the Nazis conquered France, they closed down the Eiffel Tower and kept it under constant Nazi surveillance. Due to the German’s takeover of the tower, the French resistance fighters purposely cut the wires of the elevator on the Eiffel Tower. This way, they forced the German soldiers to climb up and down the stairs over and over again to hoist their flag.

The Eiffel Tower is repainted once every 7 years.

Ever since its completion, the Eiffel Tower has been repainted a total of 18 times as of 2015. To hide corrosion from weathering and other elements, the Eiffel Tower is regularly repainted in 7-year intervals along with regular maintenance. 

Painters use an average of 60 tons of paint to cover the Eiffel tower with a fresh coast from top to bottom. Due to the size of the monument, the repainting process takes an average of 3 years to complete each time. 

Annually, the lifts on the Eiffel Tower travel a combined distance of 103,000 km.

At 64,000 miles, the Eiffel Tower lifts travel distances long enough to travel the world two and a half times. Each elevator ride takes around 10 minutes from the first floor to the third floor. How’s that for amazing Eiffel Tower facts?

The Eiffel Tower was originally intended to last no more than 20 years.

The lifespan of the Eiffel Tower only got extended due to its potential as a support antenna for wireless broadcasting. Since then, the Eiffel has doubled as both an observational tower and a broadcasting tower as well. 

Originally, Gustave Eiffel pitched the idea to turn the monument into a broadcasting tower to save his work from being dismantled. Additionally, the Eiffel tower was also used for scientific experiments during the time of the early 90s. 

A woman once married the Eiffel Tower in 2008.

In 2008, a woman named Erika “Aya” Eiffel held a commitment ceremony and married the Eiffel tower in Paris, France as an advocate of object sexuality. Erika Eiffel is also known as an American female athlete and competitive archer in the United States. 

Due to this strange event, Erika also became famous all around the world for her love of the Eiffel Tower and has been interviewed regarding her marriage numerous times. Before this, she states that she was also in love with her archery bow whom she named Lance which helped her win several archery competitions.

Gustave Eiffel passed away while listening to Beethoven’s famous 5th symphony.

Gustave Eiffel passed away on the 27th of December in 1923 while listening to Beethoven’s 5th symphony on his record player. The man died at the age of 91 in his mansion located on Rue Rabelais in the city of Paris, France. 

Today, Gustave Eiffel is forever known as the Eiffel Tower’s famous designer and is also acknowledged by the French prime minister Pierre Tirard and many other dignitaries. 

The British Virgin Islands once launched a special coin dedicated to the Eiffel Tower.

This special edition coin celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower and its completion. Released in 2014, the coin replicated the shape of the Eiffel Tower itself.

Today, collectors value this $10 silver coin as twice or thrice its original value. On one face, the coin bears details of the tower, while the other side features the engravings of the coin. 

There is a small apartment located on the third floor of the Eiffel Tower.

During the construction of the Eiffel Tower, this apartment was kept as a secret from the public. The small apartment also acted as Gustave Eiffel’s personal hideaway.

Additionally, people of high prestige such as Thomas Edison would rent out this room for a small fortune to enjoy the magnificent view to themselves. However, visitors today are now allowed to view this apartment on the top floor of the Eiffel Tower as part of the attractions inside.

The Eiffel Tower was originally built as an entrance arch for the 1889 World’s fair.

Originally, the Eiffel Tower was planned out to become a temporary entrance archway for the 1889 World’s Fair held in the city of Paris, France. Aditionally, the monument meant to mark the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. 

Held from the 6th of May until the 31st of October, the World’s Fair attracted more than 32 million visitors. The 1889 World’s Fair was also one of the 7 expositions held between the years 1855 and 1937 in Paris, France. 

Around 300 workers helped construct the tower.

Upon the completion of the construction of the Eiffel tower, the team was made up of around 150 to 300 men. Assembled by levels, the Eiffel Tower was built from the ground up.  

Workers also had a set construction schedule to follow the approximate timeline of how long each level of the tower would take to complete. Officially, the tower was fully finished on the 31st of March in 1889.

A con artist by the name of Victor Lustig once tried to sell the Eiffel tower for scrap pieces.

After the completion of its construction, a con man by the name of Victor Lustig attempted to sell the Eiffel Tower not once, but twice. However, Lustig initiated his plan without proper research or preparations, which led to his arrest in 1936.

Additionally, Victor Lustig also became a famous icon after creating the ten commandments for aspiring con artists before dying behind bars in 1947.

The Eiffel Tower has been featured in numerous modern-day video games.

Due to its iconic nature, the Eiffel Tower has been featured in many video games , movies, television series, and many other media. It has also been a common feature in many French productions and films throughout the years. 

In many other features, the Eiffel Tower can also be seen being destroyed or taken down for several reasons in these fictional works. Essentially, the Eiffel Tower has become synonymous to France in terms of imagery and symbolism.

The tower is also painted in 3 different shades of brown color.

The Eiffel Tower is painted in 3 different shades of color that becomes progressively lighter with each higher floor or segment. This creates a silhouette effect on the structure of the Eiffel Tower that pops out against the canvas of the bright sunny sky of Paris, France. 

Over the years, the paint on the Eiffel Tower has also varied in different shades when being repainted every 7 years. 

In 2015, the Eiffel Tower displayed lights in the colors of the French flag.

After the terrorist attacks on Paris in 2015, the Eiffel Tower was re-lit into the colors of the French flag to give hope and a sense of security to the French. Many similar occasions also happened with other famous monuments from around the world such as the Sydney opera house in Australia , and several other buildings in the United States. 

The November 2015 Paris attacks started when a group of gunmen and suicide bombers invaded a concert hall, several restaurants, bars, a major stadium, and more. In total, the attacks resulted in over 130 casualties and several hundred cases of major injuries. 

Hitler once attempted to get the Eiffel Tower demolished.

During the German occupation in France, Hitler reportedly attempted to get the Eiffel Tower demolished. However, this order was never followed as it was denied by German general Dietrich von Choltitz.

According to the General, he denied Hitler’s request to destroy the Eiffel Tower due to his fondness of the marvelous architecture and the history behind the monument. By this point, the general also concluded that Hitler had been moving towards insanity and did not agree with his vision anymore. 

The Eiffel tower has also been featured in several motion pictures from around the world.

In many modern films, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most used landmarks when portraying the city of Paris, France . This iconic monument is also considered to be the heart of the city by many Parisians and foreigners from all around the world. 

Gustave Eiffel was not the company owner’s real name.

His full name was officially registered as Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, but his birth name was Bonickhausen dit Eiffel. Gustave Eiffel was born in France on the 15th of December in 1832, where he became a famous French civil engineer after graduating from a prestigious school. 

Other than his work on the Eiffel Tower, he has also designed and constructed bridges. Additionally, he also focused on research in the field of meteorology and aerodynamics. 

The Eiffel Tower is the fastest constructed structure in Paris.

In total, the construction of the Eiffel Tower took 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days to complete. Compared to all other monuments found in the city of Paris, France, this monument is considered to be the fastest-constructed piece in Parisian history. 

On average, other famous monuments found within the city took around 15-20 years to complete. 

You can ice skate at the Eiffel Tower during winter.

Located on the first floor of the monument, the Eiffel Tower ice rink opens to the public during the cold winter months.  The rink typically stays open from December until February of the following year.

Additionally, the rink has been used for several Ice hockey games in the past, displaying the colors of the World Ice Hockey Champions. 

The Eiffel Tower also shares a nickname with Margaret Thatcher.

One of the famous nicknames that the Eiffel Tower holds is La Dame de Der, which translates to The Iron Lady in English. This nickname was also given to Margaret Thatcher due to her association with British politics and her leadership style. 

There are four restaurants on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.

These restaurants include the Le Jules Verne, The Gustave Eiffel Room, a Champagne Bar, and the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant. On this floor, visitors can take their time and enjoy a nice drink or meal during their visit and rest for a bit before making it up other floors. 

These restaurants offer various meals and picnic-like lunches, typically staying open from lunch hour until dinner.

The Eiffel Tower has been replicated numerous times all over the world.

Due to its reputation as one of the world’s most iconic monuments, the Eiffel Tower has been replicated numerous times and displayed all over the world. A few examples include the Tokyo Tower monument located in Tokyo, Japan , which was modeled after the French monument and also serves as an observation tower. 

Another example is the half scaled Eiffel Tower replica found in the famous city of Las Vegas in the United States. Other replicas also include the Watkin’s tower in the United Kingdom, The Dragon Tower in China, the Ismaning Radio Tower in Germany , and The Parisian tower in Macau.

One of the legs of the Eiffel Tower doubles as a secret military bunker.

The secret bunker is located under the south leg of the Eiffel Tower and is typically used by military forces as a hiding spot. Today, the bunker opens to a small number of visitors per week and is still owned by the French military.

The secret bunker runs underground with several pathways and tunnels to explore. This bunker was also used to store ammunition and supplies for military operations.

Many aviators have attempted to fly aircraft underneath the Eiffel Tower.

Around the time of the Second World War, many pilots attempted to execute daring stunts by flying a plane underneath the arch of the Eiffel Tower. Additionally, a pilot from that time also became famous for accomplishing this task while taking down a German aircraft in the process. 

Due to his services and piloting skills, the pilot William Overstreet Jr. became famous and was honored by the French ambassador years after his death.

Some parts from the Eiffel Tower were auctioned and turned into jewelry.

A few steps on the Eiffel Tower were taken down in 1983 to prevent several visitors from going into unauthorized locations within the Eiffel Tower. Later on, the pieces were cut into several smaller pieces and put up for auction. 

One couple who acquired a piece of the staircase turned this piece into pieces of jewelry, later becoming known as the Korbella Eiffel Tower Jewelry.

The Eiffel Tower was officially inaugurated in the year 1889.

The Eiffel Tower was officially inaugurated inauguration at 1:30 pm on the 15th of May in 1889, which was also the opening day of the World’s Fair. During this time, the newly established monument attracted hundreds and thousands of visitors who would climb to the top of the tower and bask in the view that it offered. 

The Eiffel Tower plays a small part in the Allied victory of the first battle of the Marne.

This battle was also known as the battle of the First World War that lasted from the 6th to the 12th of September in 1914. This battle resulted in the Allied victory against the German army in the west.

Many have stated that the victory was due to the Eiffel Tower being able to pick up German radio communications which would allow an advantage to the French.

Charles de Gaulle once proposed to dismantle the Eiffel Tower for an Expo in 1960.

During the year 1960, a French army officer once proposed to dismantle and reassemble the Eiffel Tower to join an expo located in Montreal. However, this plan was rejected by a majority vote of the owning company due to fears that the French government would not allow the original monument to return to its original location. 

The firm that built the Eiffel Tower was a company called Eiffel Et Compagnie.

Founded and owned by Gustave Eiffel in 1866, the company established its headquarters in Colombes, France. With 4,100 employees, its value in revenue amounted to 703 million euros as of 2009.

Today, the company continues to do construction work and architectural designs for projects in many parts of the world. More recently, their latest project was the Simone de Beauvoir footbridge completed in 2006.

The tower is open to the public every single day of the year.

In its history, the Eiffel Tower has only shut down its doors to the public under extreme circumstances such as unstable weather, terrorist attacks, and plague outbreaks. Apart from these times, the Eiffel opens all days of the week and is accessible all year round. 

On occasion, the Eiffel Tower will also hold special events on its floors to celebrate holidays and other memorial days of the French calendar.

The building team for the tower faced much criticism for omitting a mathematician's name.

The construction and architectural team behind the Eiffel tower were famously cited as an all-male team. However, one of the little-known Eiffel Tower facts is that it wouldn’t have been possible without a certain study on elasticity.

In particular, mathematician Sophie Germain had no credit during the project’s completion. Today, many believe that without Germain, the Eiffel Tower would not be standing as it is now. 

Citroen once used the Eiffel Tower as a giant billboard in 1925.

During this time, the company had rented out a large space on the Eiffel Tower to act as a large billboard to advertise the company. In total, the ad lasted for 9 years before being taken down. 

This advertisement took a total of 250,000 lightbulbs to accomplish, with 600 km worth of cables to connect each light. This feat is also considered to be the world’s largest advertisement in all of history.

Only a small number of tall buildings in Paris have a clear view of the Eiffel Tower.

This is due to the zoning restrictions held in the city of Paris which prevents buildings from going over a specified height. Typically, the Eiffel Tower can only be viewed in smaller houses if they are within the proximity of the tower itself. 

Visitors can vote on the new tone of color of the Eiffel Tower.

In its history, the Eiffel Tower has been painted in approximately six shades of color. Today, Visitors can now vote for the next paint color that the tower will be repainted in on the first floor of the monument. 

Selected shades of yellow, brown, and red can be selected by visitors to vote on during their time at the Eiffel Tower. 

There are over 18,000 metallic pieces used to build the Eiffel Tower.

Each piece used in the making of the Eiffel Tower has been carefully measured and calculated to fit the design of Gustave Eiffel accordingly. The pieces were all prepared in Gustave Eiffel’s factory located outside of Paris. 

The Eiffel Tower also used over 2.5 million rivets to ensure that each piece would be properly locked into place. Additionally, it took over 7,300 tons of iron to mold each piece of the Eiffel Tower. 

The Eiffel tower has been used for numerous light shows for special events.

Apart from its nightly illuminations on each hour of the night, the Eiffel Tower has also held several spectacular light shows to mark special occasions. One of these involved the celebration of the Eiffel Tower’s 120th anniversary which featured a special light show. 

On other occasions, the Eiffel Tower also held light shows in celebration of the Christmas season and New Year’s Day.

There once was a stair climbing championship on the Eiffel Tower.

In 1905, the Eiffel Tower hosted a stair climbing competition, where participants had to race up the monument’s steps. This event was organized by a local newspaper which attracted over 300 participants to join. 

Originally, the Eiffel tower designs were measured to be 985 feet tall.

Upon its original completion, the Eiffel Tower measured a total of 985 feet or 300 meters tall. However, due to the changing weather, its size will vary from time to time as its metallic structure shrinks or grows.

Additionally, if the newly added satellite antenna was included, this would also make the Eiffel Tower’s measurement much higher than usual. 

The Eiffel Tower was not intended to be built in Paris.

Originally, the plans to establish the Eiffel Tower involved the city of Barcelona. However, the Spanish rejected the monument, believing would become an eyesore to the public if it was placed in their city. How’s that for ironic Eiffel Tower facts?

The Eiffel Tower sways a few centimeters from left to right in strong winds.

In the event of strong weather, the Eiffel Tower has been noted to swing from side to side due to strong winds. The largest swing that the Eiffel Tower has taken reached up to 12 centimeters at most in high winds. 

There is also a champagne bar open on the top floor of the Eiffel tower.

The champagne bar can be found on the first and top floor of the Eiffel Tower which can be enjoyed by guests of legal age. The bar also has a setup shop for those who want to take home a bottle of alcohol with them to enjoy later on.

The Champagne bar at the Eiffel Tower is typically open from 10 in the morning until 10 in the evening.

Official records show only 1 fatality on the Eiffel Tower since its construction.

According to the official records of the monument, there has only been one death that occurred at the Eiffel Tower. This death was recorded in the spring of 1889 right after the completion of the Eiffel Tower. 

The names of those who worked on the construction of the Eiffel tower are engraved on the side.

There are a total of 72 names engraved on the Eiffel Tower. These names include a number of the main workers on the Eiffel Tower including the engineers, mathematicians, and scientists behind the project. 

One of the men who helped build the tower died from a fall after its completion.

One of the darker Eiffel Tower facts is that a person has died from falling off of it. In particular, worker Angelo Scagolioti fell from the Eiffel Tower while giving his girlfriend a private tour of the monument. During their tour of the tower, Scagolioti lost his footing somewhere on the first level of the monument, falling to his death. 

Taking a photo of the Eiffel Tower at night is against copyright laws when it is shared.

In the European Union, the copyright law states that artistic works of all kinds are protected during the lifetime of its creator and an additional 70 years after their death. This implies that taking photos of the Eiffel Tower at night is considered to be illegal if these photos are shared or used for monetary purposes. 

However, there is a way to get around this law by keeping in mind the European Union’s ‘Freedom of Panorama’ law. This law states that copyrighted buildings may be photographed if it is included in a skyline photo. 

Visitors cannot climb to the third floor of the Eiffel Tower via stairs.

Since the dismantling of the stairway leading to the third floor of the Eiffel Tower, visitors can only access the top floor via the use of elevators. This staircase was removed so that an additional elevator could be installed in the tower to transport more people from floor to floor simultaneously. 

Many people protested against the Eiffel Tower.

During its construction, several artists protested against the Eiffel Tower. Many of the artists expressed that the Eiffel Tower was an attempt at a disrespectful anthology of the concept of love. 

The protest also made the front page of the newspaper Le Temps , collecting over 40 signatures for its campaign against the Eiffel Tower. 

Nazi soldiers once attempted to attach a large swastika flag to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

When attempting to do so, the first flag got blown away by strong winds. This then forced the soldiers to climb back up to the top floor to install a much bigger and heavier flag. 

For the Germans, it was considered to be deeply symbolic, marking the start of the German Empire.

The post office at the Eiffel Tower can grant you an exclusive stamp for your mail.

This stamp is considered to be exclusive to the Eiffel Tower post office. Additionally, this stamp also includes the address of the Eiffel Tower.

Visitors and locals may opt to have their packages stamped and delivered to this post office to get the official stamp.

Was this page helpful?

Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

Share this Fact:

12 terrific facts about the Eiffel Tower

This article contains affiliate links. This means French Together may earn a commission for purchases made through these links. Read our full affiliate disclosure .

The Eiffel Tower –   la Tour Eiffel  in French — is one of the world’s most famous, recognizable landmarks. But despite its fame, there are a few things you may not know about la dame de fer.  

In honor of its reopening, here are twelve fascinating facts about the Eiffel Tower:

1. The Tower was an intentional tourist attraction.

Many monuments in Paris were built for other purposes and have become tourist draws, but the Eiffel Tower was specifically constructed to be a sight worth seeing and visiting. Its construction started in January 1887 and it was completed in March 31, 1889, just in time to be the star attraction of the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair).

The Tower’s popularity has endured: It welcomes nearly 7 million visitors a year  (in non-pandemic times)!  

Want to join these visitors? You will find the famous Eiffel Tower on the Champ de Mars at 5 Avenue Anatole  France in Paris’ 7th arrondissement.

2. The Eiffel Tower wasn’t meant to be permanent.

Like many structures made for the Exposition Universelle, the Eiffel Tower was intended to be dismantled at some point after the event ended.

This was at least some consolation to the many Parisian artists and aesthetes who didn’t like the Tower – among them Guy de Maupassant and Charles Garnier, architect of Paris’s stunning main opera house, often called the Palais Garnier.

But by the end of the Exposition Universelle, most people had really taken a liking to it. Plus, its impressive height (at the time, it was the tallest building in the world) made it an excellent radio tower.  

Fortunately, the Eiffel Tower could last longer than originally planned, thanks to engineering genius and the fact that….

3. The Eiffel Tower is made of puddle iron.

That’s why la dame de fer  (the Iron Lady) is a common French nickname for the Tower. As the Tower’s official site explains, puddling is a process that purifies and strengthens iron.   

4. The Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty are connected.

Gustave Eiffel’s engineering firm also built the metal framework inside the Statue of Liberty, which was constructed in Paris and sent as a gift from France to the United States, its longtime ally, in 1886, in honor of the 100 years of the US Constitution.

5. Eiffel had an apartment at the top of the Tower.

Eiffel had a private apartment built at the top of the Tower, although it was really more of an office and place to receive prestigious visitors, like Thomas Edison. In his honor, the office has been preserved  and can be visited. The Eiffel Tower’s official website features a few images of it  (including the wax figures of Eiffel, his daughter, and Thomas Edison that are its current permanent residents).  

6. The Eiffel Tower has changed color – and it will again.

Originally, the Eiffel Tower was painted reddish brown. Due to weather conditions, the pigment erodes and every seven years the Tower needs to be repainted . This has lead to some creative forays into color, including shades of yellow. The current color, sometimes called “Eiffel Tower brown”, has been used since the 1950’s. But according to a number of sources, the Tower will be repainted  in honor of the 2024 Olympics (which will be held in Paris), this time to a yellow-brown.

7. The Tower was involved in a World War I battle.

In 1914, a radio transmitter in the Eiffel Tower jammed the Germans’ radio communications, helping the Allies win the First Battle of the Marne .  

8. There’s writing on the Eiffel Tower.

If you look closely, above the lovely lace-like metal arches that rise up from its base, there are names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower. These are the names of seventy-two great French engineers, scientists, and mathematicians .  

9. The Eiffel Tower is still the tallest structure in Paris.

When it was built, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest man-made structure in the world. It originally stood at 1024 feet (312.12 meters), and has subsequently grown a bit, due to an altered radio tower.

It only lost the title of “tallest building” in 1930, with the completion of construction on the Empire State Building. Since then, it’s been surpassed by many other buildings, as well.

Currently measuring 1063 feet high (324 meters), the Eiffel Tower remains the tallest tower in the world not built on a platform. It’s also the tallest structure in Paris  and the second-tallest in France.  

10. The Eiffel Tower sparkles (sometimes).

After nightfall and until 1am, every hour on the hour, the Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes. This is due to an installation of 20,000 lamps  that cover it. Fortunately, these lamps are low in energy consumption.

Unfortunately, while the Tower itself is in the public domain under French law, rights to the light installation belong to its creator, Pierre Bideau, who set up the sparkle in 1985. This means that media outlets, websites (including ours!), etc., aren’t allowed to share photos or films of the Tower when it’s sparkling, unless given express permission.

It’s a shame that this beautiful sight can’t be shared freely. So if you come to Paris, plan to be watching the Tower at the start of a nighttime hour. You can also see the Tower sparkling via YouTube videos that apparently have been granted permission to show it. One of my favorites is this lovely view; you can catch the Tower turn from illuminated to sparkling  at the 11:40 minute mark.  

You may also spot the sparkling Eiffel Tower in some movies and TV shows that take place in Paris.

11. You can’t take the stairs all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

If you’re the energetic sort, you may forgo a ride in the Tower’s lower lifts and instead take the stairs to the second floor. From there, though, you’ll have to switch to an elevator- the staircase that goes all the way to the top isn’t open to the public.

12. The Eiffel Tower took about two years to build.

Considering it was the tallest man-made structure in the world at the time of its construction and considering the fact that technology and tools were more limited in 1887 than they are today, I think it’s pretty impressive that the Eiffel Tower took only two years, two months, and five days to build, don’t you?

Where can I learn more about the Eiffel Tower?

I hope you’ve enjoyed these Eiffel Tower facts. If you’d like to learn more, the Tower’s official website features lots of wonderful information and resources  that are also a great way to vicariously visit.  You can also watch this short English-language documentary to get a good foundation of knowledge about the iconic monument . If that whets your appetite for knowledge, there are many other Eiffel Tower documentaries online as well, in both English and French.

Do you want to visit the Eiffel Tower, or have you already been? Feel free to share in the comments!  

• What are the best French learning apps in 2024?
• The 16 best websites and apps for French conversation practice
• Duolingo French review: The good, the bad and the ugly

Alysa Salzberg

Alysa Salzberg is an American writer, worrier, teacher, and cookie enthusiast who has lived in Paris, France, for more than a decade. She has taught English and French for more than ten years, most notably as an assistante de langue vivante for L'Education Nationale. She recently published her first novel, Hearts at Dawn , a "Beauty and the Beast" retelling that takes place during the 1870 Siege of Paris. You can read about her adventures here , or feel free to stop by her website .

12 Exciting Facts About The Eiffel Tower

Did you know that taking photos of the Eiffel Tower after dusk is illegal?

The Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s most famous architectural projects to have ever been made.

It is an icon of France and attracts millions of tourists to Paris every year.

Have you ever wondered why build something so tall? Or who designed it?

Here are 12 exciting facts about the Eiffel Tower that will leave you enchanted by its invigorating history.

It was the tallest man-made structure for 41 years.

The Eiffel Tower stands at a grand 1,024 feet (312 meters) tall.

Completed on March 31 , 1889, the Eiffel Tower became the world’s tallest man-made structure to exist.

41 years later the Chrysler building in New York was constructed and overtook the height of the Eiffel Tower.

An antenna was added to the Eiffel Tower which extended the height of the structure to 1,063 feet (324 meters), which meant it overtook the Chrysler building again.

Other buildings were soon constructed in the US which meant the Eiffel Tower was pushed to second tallest again.

Despite becoming the second tallest building in the world at the time, the Eiffel Tower remained the tallest in France until 1973.

This was when a military transmitter was built and its height exceeded the Eiffel Tower.

As of 2021 , the Eiffel Tower is still one of France’s largest structures other than military transmitters and a viaduct.

There is an apartment inside the tower!

On the third floor of the Eiffel tower, there is a secret apartment.

Although Gustave Eiffel did not design the tower, he had influence in what should be included in the design.

One feature was for him to have his own private apartment inside the tower which had its own living room, bathroom, kitchen, and separate toilet.

He used it as a venue to host guests like Thomas Edison and he was often approached by rich Parisians who wanted to rent the apartment from him.

The apartment is open to the public but as a museum room, where there is a wax figure of both Gustave Eiffel and Thomas Edison.

The Eiffel Tower was only supposed to last 20 years.

The Eiffel Tower was originally built by Eiffel to commemorate 100 years since the French Revolution.

It was entered into the Exposition Universelle also known as the world fair.

The tower was designed to stay up for 20 years and then deconstructed once the fair was over and people would have lost interest, but it stayed.

There was a lot of scientific interest in the tower for its height and the possibility of it becoming a transmitting tower.

As a result, the tower remained and became an important element in radio transmission.

The first public radio program was broadcast from the Eiffel Tower in 1925.

There used to be a post office at the Eiffel Tower.

On the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, there used to be a small post office.

Sadly it is no longer there, but back in the day, you were able to post your postcards and letters from the Eiffel Tower.

The novelty allowed visitors to post from the tower back home to friends and family from a unique place.

Letters and postcards were given a special Eiffel Tower stamp as they were posted from there to their ongoing destination.

The first-ever French illustrated postcard of the Eiffel Tower was printed on-site and then sent from this post box.

The Eiffel Tower was once yellow.

Over the years the Eiffel Tower has been painted many colors to keep up with fashion trends in Paris.

When the Eiffel Tower first opened in 1889 it was a red/ brown color.

Ten years later a yellow coat of paint was added which created a yellow /brown color.

The Eiffel tower was then a chestnut brown before being painted the color it is today.

The color of the Eiffel Tower today is a paint that was specially mixed in 1968 and called Eiffel Tower Brown.

The Eiffel Tower is repainted every seven years and around 60 tons (61099 liters) of paint is used.

There is a bunker under the Eiffel Tower.

Under the south pillar of the Eiffel Tower, there is an old military bunker.

It is said that the bunker was made with a secret tunnel connecting it to the Ecole Militaire (military school) in Paris.

Although the bunker is still a bit of a mystery to the public, it is open to small groups for pre-booked tours.

Part of it has been converted into a museum where visitors can learn more about the Eiffel Tower.

It contains unique photographs of the early stages of the construction of the Eiffel Tower.

Weather influences changes to the Eiffel Tower.

The Eiffel Tower is made of iron which means that when the temperature changes, so does the tower.

In cold weather, the iron can shrink by around 6 inches (15 centimeters) in height, meaning that the tower becomes slightly smaller.

When the weather is hot, the heat makes the iron expand and records show that it has expanded by up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) in the past.

The Eiffel Tower was designed with a hollow structure to resist wind.

However, the tower does move around 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 centimeters) from side to side in high winds.

It will also move more if it is a hot day and the iron has expanded and become more flexible.

The Eiffel Tower was once the world’s largest billboard.

You might not think of the Eiffel Tower as being a structure for advertisement, but throughout its life, it has had many purposes.

From 1925 to 1936 the Eiffel Tower was illuminated with 250,000 light bulbs that spelled out “Citroën.”

The French car manufacturer used the Eiffel Tower as a billboard to promote their company, Citroën.

Covering a span of 100 feet (30.5 meters) each letter of the brand was illuminated from top to bottom.

The advertisement was so bright that it could be seen from 20 miles (32 kilometers) away.

In 1927 Charles Lindbergh used the bright lights as a beacon for landing after this solo trans-Atlantic flight.

Nazi’s tried to take over the Eiffel Tower.

In World War II during the German occupation of Paris, an attempt to place a Swastika flag was made.

The tower was already closed to the public and lift cables had been cut to ensure reduced access to the tower.

Nazis tried to attach a large Swastika flag to the top of the Eiffel Tower to show their takeover of Paris.

The flag was so big that it immediately flew off and had to be replaced with a smaller flag.

2,500,000 rivets hold the Eiffel Tower together.

That might sound like a lot but for a structure that weighs a total of 10,100 tons (9,162,565 kilograms), it isn’t surprising.

18,038 iron parts were used during construction and the frame alone weighs 7,300 tons (6,622,448 kilograms).

Holding these parts together were 2,500,000 rivets.

The tower was a landmark piece that demonstrated the ability to construct incredible iron structures in very short amounts of time.

It only took two years, two months, and five days to build, which was revolutionary at the time.

It is one of the most visited monuments in the world.

The Eiffel Tower is known globally and is an iconic landmark of France .

The Eiffel Tower sees around seven million visitors each year.

Around 75% of visitors are foreigners which means that the Eiffel Tower is the most visited paid-for monument in the world.

The remaining 25% of visitors are French, which means that just under two million visitors have come to see one of their own national monuments.

Taking a photo of the Eiffel Tower at night is illegal.

The Eiffel Tower is considered to be a work of art, and with works of art comes copyright law.

Copyright law in the European Union states that if someone holds the copyright to something, it is valid for their life and for 70 years after their death.

This means that when the Eiffel Tower’s creator died in 1923, the tower would become copyright-free after 70 years.

So from 1993, the Eiffel Tower image became copyright free and this is why the replica was allowed to be built in Las Vegas .

However, it wasn’t until 1985 when decorative night lighting was installed.

This means that the copyright is still very much in date, so it is illegal to take photos of the Eiffel Tower after dusk.

Although it is highly unlikely for you to be taken to court for taking a nighttime photo of the Eiffel Tower for personal use, it is possible to be prosecuted for a commercial shot.

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous monuments in the world and it will most likely remain a top place to visit for many years.

Paris holds a reputation of being a city of romance and the Eiffel Tower has become one of the building blocks to creating this image.

Although the Eiffel Tower was not intended for a long-term attraction, it has attracted people from all over the world to experience its vast structure.

• France Bleu
• National Geographic
• Science Kids
• Tour Eiffel

Related Posts

37 Interesting Facts About Ukraine

15 Terrific Facts About Texas

15 Bodacious Facts About Badgers

30 Wacky Facts About Greece

About the author.

Becca Marsh

Becca Marsh is a travel enthusiast and a lover of nature. She is the co-founder of Global Convoy, a travel production company. When she is not filming, she enjoys writing about culture and travel.

Popular Today

April 6: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

20 Facts About Daisies & Sweet Peas, April’s Birth Flowers

22 Stupendous Facts About Saturday

20 Awesome Facts About April

We have a thorough fact-checking process and a dedicated team verifying our content for accuracy. But occasionally, we may get things wrong, or information becomes outdated. If you believe something to be incorrect, please leave us a message below.

Leave a Comment

Latest facts.

15 Magnificent Facts About the Millennial Generation (1981-1996)

10 Festive Facts About Easter Friday

30 Hype-worthy Facts about H&M

The Fact Site is the number one source for the most interesting & random facts about animals, celebrities, food, films, games & so much more. You will learn something about everything!

Popular Facts Lists

1000 Interesting Facts

100 Random Fun Facts

100 Mind Blowing Facts

100 Strange But True Facts

100 Interesting Space Facts

Popular Pages

Big Questions

Days of the Year

Today In History

World Records

Information

Privacy Policy

The Fact Shop

Eiffel Tower

Behind the scenes of this amazing landmark.

TOWER POWER

The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France , has serious celeb status. Completed in March 1889, it's one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. And the site, which is also known as the Iron Lady, receives nearly seven millions tourists a year. But despite its fame, the tower has some monumental secrets. Get the lowdown on this Parisian highlight.

HIDDEN APARTMENT

If you were in charge of constructing the Eiffel Tower, where else would you live but...the Eiffel Tower? Gustave Eiffel, who designed the landmark, built himself a small apartment on the top level of the structure. The sky-high hideaway had plush rugs, oil paintings, and even a grand piano. Only a few VIPs were allowed to visit, such as superstar scientist Thomas Edison. Unused since the 1920s after Eiffel's death, few knew about the 950-foot-high pad until 2015 when it opened for public viewing.

The top of the Eiffel Tower seems like the perfect spot to study stars and weather. No wonder Eiffel set up two small laboratories on the third level where astonomers and meteorologists could work. Eiffel conducted his own experiments as well. To learn more about how objects move against air, he dropped items attached to cords from the second level of the tower (about 380 feet aboveground) and observed how they fell.

GREEN SCENE

Maybe this landmark should be renamed the Eco Tower. In 2015 workers gave the Iron Lady an environmentally friendly makeover by installing two wind turbines on the second level of the structure. These devices convert wind into electricity for the tower's shops and restaurants. A system was also set up to collect and funnel rainwater into the tower's toilets.

FAIR FRENZY

The Eiffel Tower was officially opened at the 1889 world's fair. First held in London, England , in 1851, world's fairs showcased cutting-edge inventions, architecture, and art from around the globe. The events have revealed many "futuristic" inventions, including the Ferris wheel, the television, x-ray machines, and ice cream cones. The world's fair, which is now called an expo, is held every three years in a different city and country around the world.

The Eiffel Tower doubled as a secret agent! During World War I—a worldwide conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918—the French military used the tower's radio and telegraph center to communicate with ground troops and battleships. It also intercepted enemy messages. In 1916 the tower picked up a message about a female spy known as the Mata Hari. Using the captured information, the French military tracked down and arrested the agent.

CALLING ALL DAREDEVILS

Some people visit the Eiffel Tower for the view. Others come for more daring thrills. In 1889 a man walked up 704 of the tower's steps...on stilts. In 1952 three trapeze artists swung 400 feet aboveground from ropes without a net. And in 2010 a man roller-skated off a platform set up under the tower's first level down a 90-foot-tall ramp to the ground.

TRUE COLORS

The Eiffel Tower has had a colorful history—literally. The original structure was dark red. In 1899 it was painted yellow. About 50 years ago the tower was coated in bronze paint. Today the Eiffel Tower, which gets a paint job every several years, is covered in almost 16,000 gallons of paint.

THE EIFFEL TOWER BY THE NUMBERS

• When the tower opened in the 19th century, it was the world's tallest building at 1,024 feet (312.11 meters).

• The Eiffel Tower has 1,665 stairs and three viewing platforms.

• Nearly 50 miles of electric cables cover the structure.

• There are 120 antennas atop the Eiffel Tower.

• The tower is made of 18,000 iron pieces bolted together by over 2.5 million rivets.

• 20,000 light bulbs illuminate the landmark every night.

Text by Sean McCollum from National Geographic Kids magazine, March 2016.

Explore more!

Statue of liberty, awesome 8 skyscrapers.

• Personality Quiz

Time period

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your California Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell My Info
• National Geographic
• National Geographic Education
• Shop Nat Geo
• Customer Service
• Manage Your Subscription

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

• Paris Attractions
• Paris Tours
• Eiffel Tower
• Architecture
• Plan Your Visit
• Skip the Line Tours
• Guided Tours
• Restaurants
• Dinner at the Eiffel Tower
• Breakfast at the Eiffel Tower
• Lunch at the Eiffel Tower
• Disneyland® Paris Tickets
• Versailles Tickets
• Louvre Museum Tickets
• Orsay Museum Tickets
• Arc De Triomphe Tickets
• Moulin Rouge Paris Tickets
• Crazy Horse Paris Tickets
• Sainte Chapelle Tickets
• Paris Pantheon Tickets
• Musee de l'Orangerie Tickets
• Parc Astérix Paris Tickets
• Opera Garnier Paris Tickets
• Invalides - Paris Army Museum Tickets
• Paris Catacombs Tour & Tickets
• Rodin Museum Tickets
• Picasso Museum Paris Tickets
• Walking Tours
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Sightseeing Cruises
• Dinner Cruises
• Lunch Cruises
• Travel Guide
• Things to do
• Trip Planner
• Where to Eat
• Where to Stay
• Family Travel
• Festivals and Events
• Travel Tips

10 Interesting Facts About The Iron Lady of Paris

The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, is one of the most well-known structures in the world. Designed as the centerpiece of the 1889 World Fair, the Tower has come to be a popular tourist attraction that attracts approximately seven million visitors each year. Here are some interesting facts about this world-famous attraction.

Interesting Facts about the Eiffel Tower

1. The Tower Wasn’t Made to Stand Forever

The Eiffel Tower was built as a temporary display for the 1889 World Fair in Paris, which commemorated the French Revolution's 100th anniversary. In an attempt to extend the Tower’s life, Gustave Eiffel erected a radio antenna and wireless telegraph transmitter in the Tower. The French government decided that the Tower was too useful to be dismantled. The Eiffel Tower is still used to broadcast radio and television programs around the world today.

2. The Eiffel Tower Changes In Size

The tower's metal contracts in the winter and expands in the summer allowing the Tower to change in size throughout the year. The Eiffel Tower's height can change by up to 15 cm. This happens because puddled iron, which the Tower is made out of, is sensitive to variations in temperature. So, when temperatures rise, the Tower increases in size, thanks to thermal expansion, and during winter, the structure contracts.

3. The Tower Can Move

The tower was crafted to resist gusty winds. However, it does sway during a storm and if the weather conditions worsen, you can see it move. It’s not the only weather phenomenon that makes the tower move. Apart from making it expand, the sun also causes the tower to tilt away from it. Since the sun hits only one out of the four sides, the Eiffel Tower tends to lean. On a clear day, the top of the tower can move in a circle 15 centimeters in diameter.

4. There’s a Secret Apartment at the Top

At the top of the tower, Architect Gustave Eiffel built a private apartment where he could conduct experiments and entertain distinguished visitors. One of the more notable of his guests was Thomas Edison. The office offering one of the best vantage points from the Tower was closed off to visitors for many years. However, you can view lifelike wax figures of Eiffel, his daughter Claire, and Thomas Edison conversing in the room.

5. Gustave Eiffel wasn't the Designer of the Eiffel Tower

Even though the Eiffel Tower was named after Gustave Eiffel, he was not the one who was responsible for designing the structure. The Tower was designed by two senior engineers who worked for his company—Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier. The two engineers teamed up with French architect, Stephen Sauvestre, to make the structure more aesthetically pleasing. However, Mr. Eiffel contributed a majority of the funds to build the Tower and later purchased the patent rights.

6. The Tower Served during WW1

Many innovations took place at the Eiffel Tower in the early 20th century. In 1914, at the outbreak of World War I, German troops' advancement into Paris was hindered by a radio transmitter located in the Tower that jammed German radio communications. This is believed to have had a significant role in the Allied victory at the First Battle of the Marne. Using the Tower's wireless station, the French troops intercepted enemy signals from Berlin.

7. Hitler Ordered the Destruction of the Tower

In 1944, when the Allies were ready to liberate Paris, in a last-ditch effort, Hitler ordered the destruction of the entire city, along with the Tower. Hitler sent a message to Field Marshal Walther Model and von Choltitz demanding that Paris be held at all costs and that if it could not be held, it should be turned into a field of ruins. The destruction of Paris would be the destruction of France, he believed. Thankfully, Choltitz was shocked by the order and never carried it out.

8. The Tower is Actually Married!

No, don’t be surprised! Erika Aya (or Erika Eiffel), an American competitive archer, “married” the Tower in 2007. She encountered the Tower for the first time in 2004 and claims that she felt an instant attraction. Medical experts have classified this attraction as a form of paraphilia, a disorder in which people establish strong attachments to inanimate items. She also runs the support website Object Sexuality Internationale , an organization for those who develop significant relationships with inanimate objects.

9. It's Painted in a Variety of Colours

Constructed using puddle iron, the Tower has been given several coats of paint to protect it from oxidation. To ensure its long life, the Tower is repainted every seven years. Even today, the painting is done by hand, after stripping, cleaning, and rust-proofing the whole 300 meters. Over the years, the Tower has taken on various shades, from Venetian red to shades of yellow-orange. In 1968, the Tower took on the shade that has come to be known as Eiffel Tower Brown. The color of the Tower is made of three brown shades, the darkest at the top and the lightest at the bottom. The shade is meant to hide air haze and give the structure a uniform appearance from top to bottom.

10. The Tower Once Housed a Post Office

The Eiffel Tower has had several installations since its inception, including Gustav Eiffel's penthouse apartment, the Le Figaro newsroom, a radio station, and even a theatre! One of the most interesting installations has been the post office on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. Located 187 meters above the ground, it was considered the smallest Parisian post office, and it allowed people to post mail with collector’s stamps and the famous illustrated Eiffel Tower postmark. Mailboxes were available on each floor so that visitors could send postcards, stamped with postmarks that could attest to their passage through each level of the Tower.

Book Eiffel Tower Tickets & Tours

Frequently asked questions about the eiffel tower.

A. The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, is a wrought-iron lattice tower that has become a world-famous attraction.

A. The Eiffel Tower is located at Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France.

A. The Eiffel Tower was originally built as a temporary structure for the 1889 World Fair.

A. The Eiffel Tower was designed by Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, who were senior engineers at Gustave Eiffel's company.

A. The Eiffel was built in 1889 for the Exposition Universelle.

A. The Eiffel Tower is 137 years old.

A. The Eiffel Tower weighs about 10,100 tons.

A. The Eiffel Tower is 1083 feet (330 meters) tall.

A. The Eiffel Tower is divided into three levels : the first, second, and summit. On the first floor , there are museum exhibits, a glass floor, changing exhibitions, souvenir shops, and restaurants. More restaurants and shops, as well as the Jules Verne restaurant and an observation area, can be found on the second floor . The summit , on the other hand, is home to an observation deck, the Champagne Bar, and a replica of Gustav Eiffel's office.

A. The Eiffel Tower has a total of 1,665 steps from the ground to the top. However, you can only climb 674 of them, from the ground to the second floor. To go to the summit from the second floor, you have to take the elevators from the upper platform of the second floor.

A. Yes, it is true that it is illegal to photograph the Eiffel Tower at night. It is because the government of France considers the Eiffel Tower light show as an artwork and thus copyrighted, so you may face a fine if you photograph it and share it on Facebook or any other social media account.

A. Yes, the Eiffel Tower has an apartment at the top. It was set up by architect Gustave Eiffel so he could conduct experiments and entertain distinguished visitors.

A. The most-visited paid monument in the world, the Eiffel Tower sees almost 7 million visitors a year.

History of the Eiffel Tower

Trocadero Gardens

Eiffel Tower Entrances

Eiffel Tower Day 2024: All you need to know

E iffel Tower Day is on Sunday, March 31st, 2024. This special day honors the anniversary of the Eiffel Tower's grand opening in 1889.

The Eiffel Tower is not just a tourist attraction; it is a tall iron tower located in Paris, France. It stands as a symbol of beauty and engineering excellence. Gustave Eiffel, a French engineer, designed and built it for the 1889 World's Fair held in Paris. It is a beloved symbol of Paris and a marvel of engineering.

Let's take a look at why we celebrate Eiffel Tower Day and how you can join in the fun!

WHY IS IT FAMOUS?

The Eiffel Tower is famous for its unique design and stunning views. It stands at 324 meters (1,063 feet) tall and was the tallest man-made structure in the world until 1930. Millions of people from all around the globe visit the Eiffel Tower each year to admire its beauty and panoramic views of Paris.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE EIFFEL TOWER:

• Construction: It took about two years, two months, and five days to complete the construction of the Eiffel Tower.
• Number of Parts: The tower is made up of 18,038 individual iron parts, held together by 2.5 million rivets.
• Lighting: At night, the Eiffel Tower is lit up by thousands of sparkling lights, making it a breathtaking sight.
• Wind Resistance: The tower can sway up to 3 inches (7.6 centimetres) in the wind, but its design ensures stability even during strong gusts.
• Repainting: The Eiffel Tower is repainted every seven years to protect it from rust. It takes about 60 tons of paint to cover the entire structure.

WHAT CAN YOU DO AT THE EIFFEL TOWER?

Visitors to the Eiffel Tower can enjoy various activities, including:

• Riding elevators to the top for panoramic views of Paris.
• Dining at one of the tower's restaurants, such as the famous Le 58 Tour Eiffel.
• Exploring the Eiffel Tower's history and construction at the on-site museum.

On Eiffel Tower Day, people around the world celebrate this architectural marvel by sharing photos, memories, and fun facts about the tower on social media. It's a day to appreciate the beauty and significance of this iconic symbol of Paris.

The Eiffel Tower stands tall as a testament to human ingenuity and creativity. It continues to captivate people's hearts and minds, drawing millions of visitors each year to experience its grandeur. On Eiffel Tower Day 2024, let's celebrate this magnificent structure and all that it represents. Vive la tour Eiffel!

So, if you ever get the chance to visit Paris, don't miss the opportunity to marvel at the Eiffel Tower and create unforgettable memories!

Watch Live TV in English

Watch Live TV in Hindi