visit eiffel tower is on the priority list of every self-respecting tourist. For some, it is enough to take a photo against its background, for some it is important to go up to the observation deck, and someone hurries here at night to see the hourly light show - illumination and take a few pictures when the tower contours are up to 01: 00 are illuminated by backlight.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower

• By metro: Bir-Hakeim (M6), Trocadero (M9)
• By train RER From: Champs de Mars - Tour Eiffel
• By bus: Tour Eiffel: No. 82, 42; Champ de Mars: No. 82, 87, 69

Tickets for the Eiffel Tower

The price of tickets varies depending on how you will climb: on foot or by elevator. If your plans do not include visiting the upper platform, then you can save money by climbing on foot. But if you want to visit the third level, you will have to pay for the elevator, which will take you from the first to the third level and back.

Ticket prices up to the second level (115 meters):

• On foot adult: 10 euros
• Walking youth (12-24 years old): 5 euros
• Walking children (4-11 years old): 2.50 euros
• On the lift adult: 16 euros
• Youth lift: 8 euros
• Child: 4 euro

Ticket prices up to the third level (276 meters):

• Adult: 25 euros
• Youth (12-24 years old): €12.50
• Child (4-11 years old): €6.30

Combined ticket to the third level (stairs + elevator)

• Adult: 19 euros
• Youth (12-24 years old): €9.50
• Child (4-11 years old): €4.80

Schedule

Mid June to early September:

• 09:00 - 00:45 - elevator and stairs; allowed until 24:00; the last elevator goes up to the third level at 23:00.

Rest of the year:

• 9:30 - 23:45 - elevator; the last session at 22:30 - to the second level, at 23:00 - to the third level.
• 9:30 - 18:30 - stairs; last session at 18:00.

Eiffel Tower levels

The Eiffel Tower is divided into 4 levels: ground and three floors with observation decks.

1. At the ground level there are ATMs, an information board, souvenir shops (in the tower supports), a buffet with snacks, hydraulic machines from the foundation of the structure (which can only be seen during the tour), as well as a bust of G. Eiffel, which is located at the corner of the North Pillar .
2. At a height of 57 meters, a reconstruction has recently taken place. Now you can walk along the first floor, seeing the ground under your feet, the floors here are glass and transparent. Also added are modern computerized information stands along the terrace. Here you can see the remains (4.30 meters high) of the stairs, which originally led to the very top, to the office of G. Eiffel. It will be interesting for children to watch the light show, which will tell about the Eiffel Tower in an interesting way. All entertainment services are located in the Ferrié pavilion. A buffet, a relaxation area, a souvenir shop, the G. Eiffel room, which is used for various events, as well as The 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant - all this is located on the first level of the tower.
3. No less interesting will be the second level of the tower, at a height of 115 meters. In addition to the observation deck, there is a souvenir shop, a buffet with organic snacks, information stands, as well as the Jules Verne restaurant.
4. At an altitude of more than 276 meters, there is an observation platform of the Eiffel Tower, which offers a gorgeous view of the capital. It is here that advanced tourists strive to get, so that, under the impression of what they see, they can drink a glass of champagne in the Champange bar (by the way, an expensive pleasure!) In addition, here you can see the recreated office of Gustave Eiffel with wax figures, view panoramic photographs taken from get acquainted with the layout of the original tower built in 1889 on a scale of 1:50.

Panoramic views from the Eiffel Tower

Separately, I would like to emphasize that dressing here is practical. Take a windproof jacket with you as the upper decks are windy. Many who visit the tower in windy weather (which is quite common here) claim that the tower shakes slightly. Therefore, take care of comfortable clothes and go to conquer the Eiffel Tower.

Photo of the Eiffel Tower

• (price: 43.00 €, 2.5 hours)
• (price: 45.00 €, 3 hours)
• (price: 25.00 €, 3 hours)

Skip the line to the Eiffel Tower

Near the Eiffel Tower there is always a crowd of tourists and giant queues. Those who do not know how to avoid a three-hour downtime stand in a general queue at the ticket office, and then stand in line for the elevator that takes you to all levels of the tower. Occupation is tiring and brings little pleasure, isn't it?

The way out of the situation is extremely simple - you need to buy a ticket in advance for a specific date and day. You can do this via the Internet. Since the method is known to many, it may happen that tickets for the day you need may be sold out. In rare cases, it can take, but this is unlikely. Therefore, tickets should be sought three months before the planned visit to Paris. Such tickets go on sale at 8:30 am local time and are sold out without a trace in the first hours.

If the date is not important, then you can find a ticket a month before the visit. By printing your ticket, you will be able to enter the Eiffel Tower without a queue, provided that you are not more than 30 minutes late from the visit time indicated on the ticket. Therefore, it is better to be in the lobby of the tower 10 minutes before the indicated time.

The second way is to buy a tour, the price of which includes a visit to the Eiffel Tower without a queue.

• (62.50 €)
• (43.00 €)

panoramic restaurants

Briefly, it is worth mentioning the restaurants of the Eiffel Tower. Prices are very high, and they grow exponentially with each level.

From the windows 58 Tour Eiffel(first level) offers a magnificent view of the Seine and the famous Place du Trocadero. The cozy spacious halls of the restaurant are ideal for both a romantic dinner and a gala reception (up to 200 guests).

Lunch, costing about 50 euros, consists of three courses and a drink. The menu may include seafood, truffles, lamb and vegetables, salmon fillet with chestnut puree, dessert and a good wine list. Dinner provides a more interesting menu. For example, an appetizer of the client's choice, a glass of champagne, a main course, an original dessert and coffee will cost about 140 euros per person. A table must be reserved in advance.

By booking a table in Le Jules Verne(second level) the window offers a panoramic view of Paris from a height of 124 meters. The luxurious interior is furnished with antique furniture, and first-class service, pleasant music and an impressive collection of wines justify such an impressive price tag on the menu.

A lunch of onion soup and cold foie gras with fig jam plus pistachio cakes will cost 90 euros, while a lobster dinner will cost at least 200 euros.

At the top level is champagne bar, where you can buy a glass of real French champagne. 100 ml of champagne will cost from 13 to 22 euros.

In a word, if you don’t go broke, then you can reduce the thickness of your wallet by eating at the Eiffel Tower and drinking a glass of champagne. Decide, as they say, whether you need it or not.

History of the Eiffel Tower

In 1889, with the celebration of the centenary of the revolution, the government of the Third Republic decided to shock the public. The next world trade and industrial exhibition was timed to coincide with the anniversary of democracy. Innovations in production technologies, the emergence of new types of products required extensive advertising. The exposition was a symbol of industrialization and an open platform for demonstrating the achievements of the industry. This type of presentation of goods and technologies began to be carried out on an ongoing basis.

Architects, wanting to look into the future and impress the imagination of visitors, offered various options appearance of the pavilions. One of the original structures was the 115 meter indoor car gallery.

Particular attention was paid to the design of the entrance portal. The organizers arranged a special competition. More than a hundred projects were proposed for consideration. Among them was a building in the form of a huge guillotine - a symbol of the French Revolution. The main requirements were as follows:

• originality of architectural appearance;
• economic efficiency;
• the possibility of dismantling after the end of the exposure.

The proposal of the G. Eiffel company, which designed a steel tower 300 m high, came in handy. There were no precedents for this structure in the world. However, engineering calculations were based on considerable experience in the construction of railway bridges, the complexity and responsibility of the structures of which were not inferior to the planned tower. Well, the futuristic design was out of competition.

These arguments swayed the members of the commission in favor of Eiffel's proposal, and he was granted a privilege for the invention. The company's engineers Maurice Kehlen and Emile Nougier took part in the creation of the project.

The Parisians did not share the optimism of the organizers of the exhibition. The general public, fearing that the Cyclopean structure would spoil the special architectural appearance of the capital, took up arms against both Eiffel himself and the organizing committee. Soon after the results of the competition were published in the Parisian newspaper Le Temps (Time), a protest was published by the most prominent artists, including Guy de Moppasan, E. Zola, A. Dumas (junior). Writers, artists, sculptors expressed their outrage at the construction of the useless and "terrible Eiffel Tower." The church was not left out.

The clerics, supporting the general hysteria, predicted the imminent fall of the tower and the subsequent end of the world. The inertia of the clergy, bordering on ignorance, is a very characteristic phenomenon in the creation of revolutionary projects. Eiffel's brainchild was branded with insulting labels: an iron monster, a skeleton of a bell tower, a sieve in the form of a candle.

But progress and common sense cannot be stopped. The organizing committee of the exhibition, having approved the construction, provided only less than a quarter of the necessary funds. Eiffel offered to finance the project from the funds of his own company, if he was given the exclusive right to receive profit during the entire period of operation. An agreement was reached and the author was given one and a half million francs in gold. The Miracle Tower was built. The investment paid off in just one year.

After 20 years of operation, according to the contract, the tower was to be dismantled. Only the intervention of a powerful lobbyist could save it from demolition. And such was found in the face of the military department. Back in 1898, a transmitter was installed on the upper platform and the first radio communication session was held. Eiffel suggested that the Ministry of Defense use the tower as an antenna for transmitting radio signals over long distances. Thus, he was not only a builder, but also a savior of a unique structure that has become the most striking symbol of France.

The "Iron Lady", which glorified its creator, overshadowed his talent as a bridge builder and brilliant engineer. Few people know that Gustav Eiffel designed the interior of the Statue of Liberty in 1885. The engineer himself said with humor that he should be jealous of the tower: the brainchild of a more famous creator.

The new building was not only the embodiment of a creative upsurge, but also the embodiment of a technological breakthrough in metallurgy. The material for the tower was a special kind of soft iron. It was produced by a puddling process, during which pig iron was converted into low-carbon iron. Strength characteristics allowed architects to realize the most daring ideas. Due to the lightness and strength, it became possible to build overall structures.

Construction began on January 26, 1887 on the Field of Mars with earthworks to make a foundation pit. So that they do not penetrate into the recess ground water, a system of caisson devices worked out during the construction of bridges was used, which created overpressure in the workspace and prevent the penetration of moisture.

At the same time, mass production of parts was launched at the Eiffel plant in the Lavallois-Parre suburb of Paris. metal frame. The total number of load-bearing and shaped elements reached 18 thousand, two and a half million rivets were made for their assembly. Designers, using the methods of shipbuilding technologies, scrupulously traced the geometry of each type of segments and the attachment points of riveted and bolted joints down to a micron. Technological holes were drilled at the factory. Already manufactured parts for other structures went into business. Each set of metal elements was supplied with detailed drawings and recommendations for installation.

The architect Stefan Sauvestre, in order to improve the aesthetic appearance of the structure, proposed to clad the metal supports of the first tier decorative stone, as well as build arched structures to decorate the main entrance to the exhibition. Had this decision been implemented, the tower would have been deprived of a coherent architectural exterior.

To facilitate installation at high altitude, the largest fragments of the structure weighed no more than three tons. When the height of the erected structure outgrew stationary cranes, Eiffel designed the original lifting mechanisms moving along rail guides of future elevators.

The high culture of production made it possible to achieve unprecedented rates of construction. With an enlarged assembly on construction site the need to adjust individual elements was reduced to almost zero - marriage in the work was excluded. At the same time, only about 300 engineers, craftsmen and assembly workers were involved in the construction. Construction work was completed in two years, two months and five days. Eiffel paid special attention to safety. During the construction period, accidents were avoided, only one person died. This tragic incident had nothing to do with the production process.

On March 31, 1889, Gustave Eiffel invited officials to climb the steps to the top of the tallest structure in the world.

The curvilinear shape of the tower has caused a lot of criticism from contemporary specialists to the author of the project. However, Eiffel's bold decision was dictated by the need to withstand significant wind loads and linear expansion of the metal in the hot season. Life has confirmed the correctness of the engineer: in the entire history of observations during the most strong hurricane(wind speed reached almost 200 km / h) the top of the tower deviated by only 12 cm.

The design is an elongated pyramid formed by four inclined columns. The columns, each of which has a separate foundation, are connected at two points: at a height of 57.6 m and 115.7 m. The lower connection is arranged in the form of an arch. The first platform rests on the vault - a square with a side of 65 m. Here is the restaurant of the same name and a souvenir shop. On the second tier - the side of the site is 35 m - there is also a restaurant "Jules Verne" and an extensive observation deck. Initially, reservoirs for the hydraulic system of lift mechanisms were located here. The uppermost platform has dimensions of 16 by 16 m. A separate system of passenger elevators lifts visitors to each of the tiers. Two original elevators, installed back in 1899, have survived to this day. If someone decides to climb on foot to the highest platform, then he will have to overcome 1710 steps.

The main parameters of the tower are as follows:

• the total weight of the structure is 10,100 tons;
• the mass of the metal frame is 7,300 tons;
• the height of the structure was initially 300.6 m, after the construction of a new antenna in 2010 - 324 m;
• the height of the observation deck is 276 m;
• the longest side of the base is 125 m.

If all the used metal is melted and poured onto the base area, then the height of the array will be only six meters. This speaks of the exceptional ergonomics of the design. Every seven years, all metal surfaces are painted. These works take up to 60 tons of material. The tower was painted in different colors in different eras. For the past decades, the original color scheme, called "brown-eiffel", has been used.

The opening of the world exhibition was accompanied by a bright, at that time, illumination of the tower. 10 thousand acetylene lamps were used. The lighthouse mounted on top was illuminated with three colors of the French tricolor. At the beginning of the 20th century, an electric lighting system was installed on the building.

In the mid-1920s, famous car tycoon Henri Citroën turned the tower into the world's tallest advertisement. Using 125,000 light bulbs over the entire height, he staged a light show that alternately depicted ten images: shooting stars, the silhouette of the structure, the date of construction and the name of the concern of the same name. This event lasted nine years until 1934. In 1985, Pierre Bidault came up with the idea of ​​illuminating the structure of the tower from below with spotlights. More than three hundred custom-made lighting fixtures were installed at different levels. Sodium lamps at night painted the metal giant in a golden color.

Modern technologies in the lighting industry have made it possible to give the world-famous monument new look. In 2003, a team of 30 industrial climbers installed a forty-kilometer-long electrical wiring system, including 20,000 light bulbs, in a few months. The cost of this renovation cost four and a half million euros.

In May 2006, in honor of the 20th anniversary of the European Union, the tower was illuminated in blue for the first time. And in 2008, when France presided over the Council of Europe, for six months the building was distinguished by its original illumination: a blue background with golden stars. It should be noted that the lighting system of the main symbol of France is an original design and is protected by copyright law.

How to get there

Address: 5 Avenue Anatole France, Paris 75007
Telephone: +33 892 70 12 39
Website: tour-eiffel.fr‎
Underground: Bir Hakeim
RER train: Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel
Working hours: 9:00 - 23:00; 9:00 - 02:00 (summer)

Ticket price

• Adult: 17 €
• Discounted: 14.5 €
• Child: 10 €

For 100 years, the Eiffel Tower has been the undisputed symbol of Paris, and, perhaps, the whole of France. While in Paris, anyone strives to see this "triumph of the technical thought of the XIX century."

In horizontal projection, the Eiffel Tower rests on a square of 1.6 hectares. Together with the antenna, its height is 320.75 meters, and it weighs 8600 tons. According to experts, 2.5 million rivets were used in the process of its construction in order to get a smooth bend. 12,000 parts for the tower were made according to the most accurate drawings. In addition, the tallest tower in the world at that time was assembled by 250 workers in an amazing short term.

Location of the Eiffel Tower

The main attraction of Paris is located on the Champ de Mars - a former military parade ground, later transformed into a beautiful park. At present, the park, the layout of which was changed by the architect Formiger in 1908-1928, is divided into wide alleys, decorated with flower beds and small ponds.

The Eiffel Tower is located next to the central embankment of the Seine, near the Pont de Jena bridge. The tower is visible from many points in Paris. Now it is considered an ornament of the city. Although it is worth recognizing that the tower was not specially decorated during construction. Eiffel at first had the idea to place decorative statues at the corners of each platform, but then he abandoned this idea, leaving only openwork arches, as they fit into the strict image of the structure.

The acceleration of technological progress in the 19th century led to revolutionary changes in architecture. In various projects, grandiose high-rise structures arise. At this time, a radical transformation took place in architecture: glass and steel became the new building material, the most appropriate task to make any building light, dynamic, modern. Figuratively speaking, the engineer finally replaced the architect.

The government of the Third Republic decided to amaze the imagination of its contemporaries by building a structure the likes of which the world has not yet seen. The exhibition was supposed to demonstrate the achievements of technological progress. In 1886, a competition was announced in Paris for the best architectural project for the World Exhibition of 1889, timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The plan of the Eiffel Tower was designed by Maurice Koechlin in 1884. Gustave Eiffel (he is also known for building the frame for the famous one) was interested in this project, and he decided to put it into practice. The plan of the future tower was substantially supplemented and adopted by the commission in June 1886. True, an unrealistically short time was allocated for the construction of the structure - only 2 years, and the tower was supposed to rise 1000 feet (304.8 meters). But this did not stop Eiffel. By this time he was quite a strong professional in his field. He built a large number of railway bridges, and the peculiarity of his style was that he was able to find extraordinary engineering solutions to complex technical problems. In November 1886, funds were allocated for the construction of this miracle of modernity.

On January 28, 1887, construction began on the left bank of the Seine. A year and a half was spent on laying the foundation, and it took just over eight months to assemble the tower.

During the laying of the foundation, a deepening was carried out up to 5 meters below the level of the Seine, blocks of 10 meters thick were laid in the pits, because nothing could be neglected to unconditionally guarantee stability. Hydraulic presses with a lifting capacity of up to 800 tons were installed in each of the four foundations for the tower legs. The 16 legs that support the tower (four in each of the four "legs") were equipped with hydraulic lifting devices in order to ensure an absolutely accurate horizontal level of the first platform.

Elevators were installed during construction. Four elevators inside the legs of the tower go up to the second platform, the fifth goes from the second to the third platform. Initially, the elevators were hydraulic, but at the beginning of the 20th century they were electrified. Only once, during 1940, was the tower completely closed, as all the elevators failed. Due to the fact that the Germans entered the city at that time, no one cared about the repair of the tower. The elevators were repaired only after 4 years.

On March 31, 1889, the Eiffel Tower was inaugurated. To the patriotic sounds of the Marseillaise, Gustave Eiffel climbed 1792 steps and hoisted the flag. The Eiffel Tower was built in the right time, for 26 months. Moreover, the accuracy of its design was simply amazing, everything was measured out to the smallest detail. Until 1931 (the date the Empire State Building was built), the tower was even considered the tallest building on our planet.

Of course, the project was grandiose, but at one time it met with a lot of sarcasm and censure. The Eiffel Tower was called the "monster in nuts." Many believed that it would not last long and would soon collapse. In the distant XIX century, the Parisians terribly did not like the tower, Hugo and Verlaine were indignant. Great cultural figures wrote long angry letters demanding that this "lightning rod" be removed from the streets of Paris immediately.

Maupassant regularly dined at the restaurant at the very top of the tower. When asked why he does this, if he really doesn’t like the tower, Maupassant replied: “This is the only place in all the vast Paris from where it is not visible.” Prominent artists were indignant: “In the name of genuine taste, in the name of art, in the name of the history of France, which is now under threat, we - writers, artists, sculptors, architects, passionate admirers of the still impeccable beauty of Paris, protest with deep indignation against the construction in the heart of our capital, the useless and monstrous Eiffel Tower."

Even some members of the commission, who gave the go-ahead for the construction of the tower, said that this building would not stand idle for more than 20 years, after this period it had to be demolished, otherwise the tower would simply collapse on the city. It is worth noting that even today, despite the fact that the Eiffel Tower has long been recognized as a symbol of France, some disdain this achievement of modern construction.

Many times in history, the question of the demolition of the tower was discussed. different reasons(including the one that some ministers thought was an extra investment of money). A serious threat to the tower existed in 1903, when money was even allocated for dismantling. The tower was saved only by the advent of radio. She became the mainstay of antennas for, then television and radar services.

Now, of course, there is no doubt about the need for the Eiffel Tower. On the tower there is a unique one, where daily fluctuations in electricity, the degree of pollution and the level of atmospheric radiation are being studied. From here the Parisian broadcasts its programs. A transmitter is installed on it, which provides communication between the police and firefighters. The highest platform has a diameter of 1.7 meters. It has a lighthouse. The light of its searchlights is visible at a distance of 70 kilometers.

Eiffel Tower today

The base of the Eiffel Tower is a square with sides of 123 meters. Its lower tier, which looks like a truncated pyramid, consists of four powerful pillars, the lattice structures of which, connecting with each other, form huge arches.

The tower has three floors. The first is at a height of 57 m, the second at 115 m and the third at 276 m. In addition to being noticeable due to its considerable height, the tower stands out due to its intense illumination. In 1986, the exterior night lighting of the tower was replaced by an internal lighting system, so that after dark it looks simply magical.

The Eiffel Tower is very stable: a strong one deflects its top by only 10 - 12 centimeters. In the heat from uneven heating by the sun's rays, it can deviate by 18 centimeters. 1910, which flooded the pylons of the tower, did not damage it at all.

Initially, the tower was a symbol of the Revolution. It was supposed to show the technical achievements of France over the past 10 years. The tower has never been just decoration. So, immediately after the opening of the Eiffel Tower, a restaurant began to operate here, which had an unprecedented success. 10 years later, another restaurant was opened. On the second, at a height of 116 meters, the Le Figaro newspaper equipped its editorial office. During the Empire and during the Revolution, numerous and crowded festivities were held on the Eiffel Tower. There are observation decks on the tower, which are extremely popular with tourists. In a particularly clear view, it can cover a distance with a radius of up to 70 km. And in 2004, an ice skating rink was opened here. It was mounted on the 57-meter height of the first floor of the tower within a week and a half. On an area of ​​200 square meters 80 guests of the tower will be able to ride at the same time.

More than 6 million people visit the Eiffel Tower every year. Modern elevators deliver them to viewing platforms with spyglasses, restaurants, souvenir shops and the Tour Eiffel Museum. Many inhabitants of the planet still dream of seeing this miracle with their own eyes.

Whether you're the lucky one who has visited Paris, or just dreaming of getting there, chances are you know about the French capital's most beloved attraction, the Eiffel Tower.

The Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel in French) was the main exhibit of the Paris and World Exhibition in 1889. It was built to celebrate the centenary of the French Revolution, and was supposed to demonstrate the industrial prowess of France throughout the world.

The French engineer Gustave Eiffel, which bears his name, is usually credited with designing the tower. In fact, these are two lesser-known people - Maurice Koechlin and Emil Nougier, who came up with the original drawings for the monument.

They were chief engineers for the Compagnie de Etablissements Eiffel, the engineering firm of Gustave Eiffel. Together with Gustave and French architect Stephen Sauvestri, the engineers submitted their plan to a competition that was to be the centerpiece of the 1889 Paris fair.

The design was won by the Eiffel company, and construction began on the tower in July 1887. But not everyone was happy with the idea of ​​a giant metal monument that was supposed to be in the center of the city. When the construction of the tower began on , a group of three hundred artists, sculptors, writers and architects sent an appeal to the head of the Paris Exhibition, begging him to stop the construction of the "unnecessary tower" that would "stand over Paris" as a "large black chimney". But the protests of the Paris community were not heard. The construction of the tower was completed in just two years, on March 31, 1889.

Construction process of the Eiffel Tower

Each of the 18,000 pieces used to build the tower was calculated specifically for this project and prepared at the Eiffel factory on the outskirts of Paris. The structure consists of four huge wrought iron arches set on stone pillars.

It took 2.5 million assembled rivets and 7,500 tons of iron to build the tower. To protect the tower from the elements, workers painted every inch, a feat that required 65 tons of paint. Since then, the tower has been repainted 18 times.

Facts you didn't know about the Eiffel Tower:

– Gustave Eiffel used wrought iron gratings to build the tower. To demonstrate that metal can be as strong as stone but lighter.

- Gustave Eiffel also created the inner frame for the Statue of Liberty.

– The total amount from the construction of the Eiffel Tower was 7,799,502.41 French gold francs in 1889.

– The Eiffel Tower is 1,063 feet (324 meters) long, including the antennas at the top. Without antenna, it is 984 feet (300 m).

– At that time, it was the tallest structure until the Chrysler Building in New York was built in 1930.

– The tower sways slightly in the wind, but the sun affects the tower more. As which side of the tower heats up in the sun, the top passages can change by 7 inches (18 centimeters).

- The weight of the tower is about 10,000 tons.

– There are about 5 billion lights on the Eiffel Tower.

- The French came up with a nickname for their tower - La Dame de Fer, ( The Iron Lady).

– One tower elevator travels a total distance of 64,001 miles (103,000 km) per year.

Tower use

When the Compagnie Des Etablissements Eiffel won the tender to start building the Champ de Mars tower, it was understood that the structure was temporary and would be removed after 20 years. But Gustave Eiffel was not interested in seeing his beloved project dismantled after a couple of decades, and so he set about making the tower an indispensable tool for society.

A few days after its opening, Eiffel installed a meteorological laboratory on the third floor of the tower. He suggested using the laboratory to scientists for their research on the whole gravity of electricity. Ultimately, it was a huge tower, not a laboratory that saved it from extinction.

In 1910, Paris accepted the Eiffel concession, due to the self-interest of this structure, as a wireless telegraph transmission. The French military used the tower to communicate in the Atlantic Ocean and intercept enemy data during the First World War. To date, the tower includes over 120 antennas, both radio and television signals throughout the capital and beyond.

Tower today

The Eiffel Tower is still the main element of the cityscape of the city. More than 8 million tourists visit this iconic building every year. Since its opening in 1889, 260 million citizens from all over the world, when they were in Paris, went to look at this architectural marvel.

She has something to offer you. The tower's three platforms are home to two restaurants, several buffets, a banquet hall, a champagne bar and many gift shops. Guided tours are available for children and tourist groups.

The tower is open to the public all year round. From June to September - the tower remains open after midnight. Prices vary, but visitors can expect to pay anywhere from $14 (€11) to $20 (€15.5) per person. The ticket includes access to the tower's three public elevators and 704 stairs. Tickets, including those with a discount, can be ordered online or at the box office near the tower.

Practical Information

Location: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France.

Working hours: Sunday - Thursday from 9:30 to 23:00. Friday, Saturday from 9:30 to 00-00.

Ways of travel:

By metro, stops Bir-Hakeim (3 minutes, line 6), Trocadero (5 minutes, line 9), École militaire (5 minutes, line 8);

RER trains: Champs de mars stop (1 minute walk);

Car: If you want to come to the Eiffel Tower by car, we recommend that you park in any of the underground car parks closest to the Eiffel Tower. good choice is the Quai Branly car park, located less than 300 meters from the tower!

The unique metal structure, created by the outstanding architect and engineer Gustave Eiffel, is a symbol of the most beautiful capital in the world. A large number of Tourists visit Paris every year just to see this wonder. You can admire not only the grandiose building itself, but also the stunning views of the city. The tower has three levels, each of which provides the visitor with the opportunity to see a stunning panorama. Everyone knows where the Eiffel Tower is located, but not everyone knows the history of the creation of a grandiose structure. In this article, we will consider the main symbol of Paris.

The history of the tower

To decorate the world exhibition in Paris, the city leadership decided to create a landmark and grandiose object. He was supposed to impress the foreigners who came to the exhibition. The famous engineer was entrusted to develop and create the object, who at first was confused, but then presented the city authorities with an unusual project of a high tower. It was approved, and Gustave Eiffel undertook its implementation.

What year was the Eiffel Tower built?

When they first see an unusual structure, many are wondering how old the Eiffel Tower is. It was created in 1889 and was intended to decorate the entrance to a grandiose exhibition. This event was dedicated to the centenary of the French Revolution and was carefully planned. Having received permission to build a unique design, Gustave Eiffel set about creating a tower. More than eight million francs were allocated for the construction, with this money it was possible to build a small city. By agreement with the chief architect, the dismantling of the building was to take place two decades after the opening of the exhibition. Considering the year in which the Eiffel Tower was built, it was supposed to be dismantled in 1909, but due to the endless flow of tourists, it was decided to leave the structure.

How was the main symbol of Paris created?

The construction of the main object of the Paris exhibition lasted about two years. Three hundred workers assembled the structure according to superbly designed drawings. Metal parts were made in advance, the weight of each of them was within three tons, which greatly facilitated the task of lifting and fastening the parts. More than two million metal rivets were made, holes for them were pre-drilled in prepared parts.

Lifting elements metal structure carried out with the help of special cranes. After the height of the structure exceeded the size of the equipment, the chief designer developed special cranes that moved along rails designed for elevators. Given the information about how many meters the Eiffel Tower is, serious work safety measures were required, and a lot of attention was paid to this. During construction, there were no tragic deaths or serious accidents, which was a great achievement considering the scale of the work.

After the opening of the exhibition, the tower was a huge success - thousands of people were eager to see the bold project. However, the creative elite of Paris treated the architectural masterpiece in a completely different way. A large number of complaints were sent to the city administration. Writers, poets and artists feared that the giant metal tower would destroy the unique style of the city. The architecture of the capital took shape over the centuries, and the iron giant, visible from every corner of Paris, definitely violated it.

Eiffel Tower height in meters

The ingenious Eiffel created a tower 300 meters high. The building got its name in honor of its creator, but the engineer himself called it the “three hundred meter tower”. After construction, a spire-antenna was installed on top of the structure. The height of the tower together with the spire is 324 meters. The design scheme is as follows:

● four columns of the tower stand on a concrete foundation, rising up, they are intertwined into a single high column;

● At a height of 57 meters, the first floor is located, which is a large platform that can accommodate several thousand people. In winter, there is a skating rink on the ground floor, which is very popular. This level also houses a great restaurant, a museum and even a small movie theater;

● four columns finally join at the level of 115 meters, forming the second floor, with an area slightly less than the first. On this level there is a restaurant with excellent French cuisine, a historical gallery and an observation deck with panoramic windows;

● The height of the Eiffel Tower in meters is amazing, but the maximum available to visitors is 276 meters. It is on it that the last, third floor is located, capable of accommodating several hundred people. From the observation deck of this level, you can admire a breathtaking view. Also on this floor is a champagne bar and the chief designer's office.

Over the years, the color of the tower has changed, the structure was painted either yellow or brick. In recent years, the building has been painted in a brown shade, which is almost indistinguishable from the color of bronze.

The mass of the metal giant is about 10,000 tons. The tower is well fortified and practically does not suffer from the wind. Eiffel was well aware that when building his fantastic structure, first of all, it was necessary to ensure its stability and resistance to wind loads. Precise mathematical calculations made it possible to design the ideal shape of the object.

The tower is currently open to the public. Everyone can buy a ticket and enjoy the breathtaking views of the beautiful city.

Where is the Eiffel Tower located in Paris?

The construction is located in the central part of Paris, on the Champ de Mars, opposite the magnificent building is the Jena bridge. Walking around the center of the capital, you just need to raise your eyes, and you will see the symbol of France, after that you just have to move in the right direction.

There are several metro stations near the tower, many bus routes stop at the main attraction, in addition, there is a pier for stopping pleasure boats and boats nearby, and parking for cars and bicycles is also provided.

Once in the beautiful capital of France, you do not have to ask where the Eiffel Tower in Paris is located, because the magnificent structure can be seen from almost every corner of the city. At night, it is also impossible to miss the unique design, as the tower is illuminated by several thousand light bulbs.

Paris, where the Eiffel Tower is located, is rightfully proud of its main attraction. Great views, great restaurants and breathtaking heights await you when you visit the grand structure. For many years the tower was the tallest architectural masterpiece in the world. This magnificent wonder of the world leaves an unforgettable impression. Once having visited the bar on the third floor of the tower, having enjoyed excellent champagne and, you will definitely want to come back here again.

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All about the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower ([` aɪfəl taʊər] EYE-fəl TOWR; French: Tour Eiffel) is a wrought iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower.

Constructed in 1887-89 as the entrance to the 1889 World's Fair, the tower was initially criticized by some of France's leading artists and intellectuals, but it soon became a cultural symbol of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The Eiffel Tower is the most visited monument in the world; 6.91 million people climbed it in 2015.

The tower is 324 meters (1,063 ft) tall, about the size of an 81-story building. It is the tallest building in Paris. Its base is a square with each side 125 meters (410 feet) long. During construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to become the tallest man-made structure in the world. She held this title for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building was completed in New York in 1930. After the addition of a broadcasting antenna atop the tower in 1957, the Eiffel Tower was once again taller than the Chrysler Building by 5.2 meters (17 feet). Transmitters aside, the Eiffel Tower is the second tallest structure in France after the Millau Viaduct.

The tower has three visitor levels, with restaurants on the first and second levels. The highest platform is 276 meters (906 feet) above the ground - the highest viewing platform in the European Union accessible to the public. Tickets can be purchased to climb the stairs or the elevator on the first and second levels. The climb from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, the same height from the first level to the second. Although there are stairs to the upper level, usually only an elevator is available.

History of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

The idea for the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower was designed by Maurice Cochlin and Émile Nougier, two senior engineers working for the "Compagnie des Établissements Eiffel", after a discussion about a suitable centerpiece for the 1889 World's Fair to mark the centenary of the French Revolution. Eiffel openly admitted that he drew inspiration for the design of the tower from the Latting Observatory building in New York in 1853. In May 1884, working from home, Kochlin sketched his idea, which he described as "a large pylon consisting of four lattice beams that stand apart at the base and come together at the top, connected to each other by metal trusses at regular intervals. Eiffel initially showed little enthusiasm, but he approved further study, and the two engineers then asked Stephen Sowrest, head of the company's architectural department, to contribute to the design. Sourest added decorative arches to the base of the tower, a glass pavilion on the first level and other decorations.

The new version received the support of Eiffel: he bought a patent for the design, which was received by Kohlin, Nougier and Sourest, after which the project was exhibited at the exhibition of arts and crafts in the autumn of 1884 under the name of the company. On March 30, 1885, Eiffel presented his plans to the Society of Civil Engineers; after discussing technical issues, and focusing on practical value towers, he ended his speech by saying that the tower would become a symbol

not only the arts of modern engineering, but also the symbol of the age of industry and science in which we live, and for which the way was prepared by the great scientific movement of the eighteenth century and the revolution of 1789, in whose memory this monument will be built, as an expression of gratitude to France.

Little progress was made until 1886, when Jules Grévy was re-elected as President of France and Édouard Lockroy was appointed Minister of Commerce. The budget for the Exhibition was approved, and on 1 May, Lockroy announced a change in the terms of an open competition focusing on the centerpiece of the Exhibition, making the choice of the Eiffel design a foregone conclusion, as the data would include a study of a 300 m (980 ft) four-sided metal tower on Mars field. On May 12, a commission was set up to study the scheme of Eiffel and his rivals, which decided a month later that all proposals except for Eiffel's were either impractical or lacked detail.

Who was against the construction of the Eiffel Tower?

The proposed tower was the subject of controversy, which attracted criticism from those who did not believe it was feasible and those who objected on artistic grounds. These objections were the expression of a longstanding discussion in France about the relationship between architecture and engineering. These thoughts began to form in people's minds when work began on the Champ de Mars: A "Committee of Three Hundred" (one member for every meter of tower height) was formed under the leadership of the famous architect Charles Garnier, as well as some of the most important figures of art such as Adolphe Bouguereau , Guy de Maupassant, Charles Gounod and Massenet. A petition entitled "Artists against the Eiffel Tower" was sent to the Minister of Works and Commissioner for the Exhibition, Charles Alphand, and was published by "Le Temps" dated February 14, 1887:

"We, writers, artists, sculptors, architects and passionate admirers of the hitherto untouched beauty of Paris, will test with all our might, with all our indignation against the infringement of French taste, against the erection ... of this useless and monstrous Eiffel Tower ... so that our discontent may be reasoned, imagine for a moment the absurd tower reaching to the sky, which dominates Paris like a giant black chimney, and crushes with its barbaric mass Notre Dame, the Tour Saint-Jacques, the Louvre, the Dome of the Invalides, the Arc de Triomphe... All our humiliated monuments will disappear in this terrible dream. And within twenty years... we shall see the ink stain of the hateful shadow stretch out from the hateful column of dangling sheet metal."

Gustave Eiffel responded to these criticisms by comparing his tower to Egyptian pyramids: "My tower will be the tallest building ever erected by man. Why can't it be as grand? And why is what is delightful in Egypt, becomes disgusting and ridiculous in Paris?". These criticisms were also taken up by Eduard Lokra in a letter of support written to Alphand, where he ironically says: "Judging by the majestic ripple of rhythms, the beauty of metaphors, the elegance of a subtle and precise style, one can say that this protest is the result of the collaboration of the most famous writers and poets of our time", and he explained that the protest was of no importance, since the project had been decided several months earlier, and the construction of the tower was already in full swing.

Indeed, Garnier was a member of the Tower Commission who considered the various proposals, and had no objection. Eiffel was also dissatisfied with the fact that journalists were prematurely judging the effect of the tower solely on the basis of the drawings, that on the Champ de Mars the tower would be far enough from the monuments mentioned in the protest and there was no threat that the tower would suppress them, and made an aesthetic argument in favor of the tower: "Do not the laws of the forces of nature correspond to the secret laws of harmony?".

Some of the protesters changed their minds when the tower was built; others were not satisfied. Guy de Maupassant allegedly dined at the tower's restaurant every day because it was the only place in Paris where the tower was not visible.

By 1918, the Eiffel Tower had become a symbol of Paris and France after Guillaume Apollinaire wrote a nationalist tower-shaped poem (caligram) to express his feelings regarding the war against Germany. Today, the tower is widely considered to be a remarkable piece of structural art, and is often featured in movies and literature.

How was the Eiffel Tower built?

Work on the foundation began on January 28, 1887. The east and south foot of the tower were plain, with each beam standing on a 2 m (6.6 ft) wide concrete slab. The west and north foot, being closer to the River Seine, were more difficult: two piles were needed for each slab, installed using compressed air caissons 15 m (49 ft) long and 6 m (20 ft) in diameter, driven to a depth of 22 m (72 ft) to support 6 m (20 ft) concrete slabs. Each of these slabs is supported by a limestone block with a sloping top to take on the support block of the iron structure.

Each leg of the Eiffel Tower was tied to the masonry with a pair of bolts 10 cm (4 in) in diameter and 7.5 m (25 ft) long. The foundation was completed on June 30, after which the construction of the metal structure began. Visible work added on the spot huge amount demanding preparatory work, which took place behind the scenes: the design office produced 1700 general drawings and 3629 detailed drawings, 18038 various necessary parts. The task of compiling the components was complicated by the difficult angles developed by the designer and the degree of precision required: the position of the rivet holes was specified to within 0.1 mm (0.0039 in) and the angles worked out to one second of arc. The finished components (some already knotted together) arrived on horse-drawn carts from a factory in the Parisian suburb of Levallois-Perret. At first they were fastened with bolts, which were replaced with rivets as the construction of the tower progressed. Neither drilling nor milling was done on site: if a part didn't fit, it was sent back to the factory to be changed. A total of 18,038 pieces were connected together using 2.5 million rivets.

At first, the legs were cantilevered, but about halfway through the first level, construction was halted to create a scaffold from timber materials. This renewal raised concerns about the tower's structural integrity, as well as sensational tabloid headlines: "Eiffel Suicide!" and "Gustave Eiffel went mad: he was imprisoned in a psychiatric hospital." At this stage, a small "creeping" crane was installed, designed to move up the towers in each leg. They used rails for elevators, which had to be installed in four legs. The critical step of joining the legs on the first level was completed by the end of March 1888. Although the metalwork had been prepared with great attention to detail, minor adjustments were later made to align the legs; hydraulic jacks capable of exerting 800 tons of force were fitted to the beams at the base of each leg, and the legs were deliberately built at a slightly steeper angle than necessary, supported by sandboxes on the platform. Although 300 workers were involved in the construction, only one person died. Eiffel developed strict security measures, the use of movable ladders, handrails and screens.

Eiffel tower elevators

Equipping the tower with high-quality and safe passenger elevators was a serious issue for the government commission supervising the Exposition. Although some visitors could have climbed to the first level, and even to the second, the main means of ascent would certainly have been the elevators.

The construction of the lifts to the first level was relatively simple: the legs were wide enough at the bottom and straight enough to contain a straight path. The contract was awarded to the French company "Roux", Combaluzier & Lepape" for two elevators, which were installed in the east and west legs. "Roux, Combaluzier & Lepape" used a pair of endless chains with rigid, articulated links to which the machine was attached. Weight some of the chain links were balanced by the heavy weight of the machine.The machine was raised from the bottom up rather than lowered from the top: to prevent the chain from buckling, it was enclosed in a tube.At the bottom of the run, the chains passed around sprockets with a diameter of 3.9 m (12 ft 10 in Smaller sprockets at the top controlled the chains.

Installing elevators leading to the second level was a more difficult task, since it was impossible to lead a direct path. No French company wanted to take on this job. The European branch of "Otis Brothers & Company" made a proposal, but this proposal was rejected: the rules of the fair excluded the use of any foreign materials in the construction of the tower. The deadline for bids was extended, but the French companies were slow to move forward and the contract was eventually awarded to Otis in July 1887. Otis was confident that the contract would eventually be awarded to them and had already started building project.

The elevator was divided into two superimposed compartments, each to hold 25 passengers, with the elevator operator occupying the outer platform on the first level. Propulsion was provided by a tilting hydraulic rod 12.67 m (41 ft 7 in) long and 96.5 cm (38.0 in) in diameter which was mounted in the leg of the turret with a stroke of 10.83 m (35 ft 6 inches): this required a wagon with six pulleys. Five fixed pulleys were mounted above the leg, creating a device similar to pulley and tackle, but acting in reverse, multiplying the stroke of the piston rather than the force produced. The hydraulic pressure in the control cylinder was generated by a large open reservoir on the second level. When exhausted from the cylinder, the water was pumped back into a tank with two pumps in the engine room at the base of the south leg. This reservoir also provided power to the first level lifts.

The original lifts between the second and third levels were supplied by Leon Edux. A pair of 81-meter (266 ft) hydraulic cylinders were installed on the second level and ran almost halfway to the third level. One elevator car was mounted on top of these cylinders, with cables running from the top to the pulleys on the third level and back down to the second car. Each lift only ran half the distance between the second and third levels, and passengers were required to change lifts halfway through using a short gangway. Each 10-ton car could carry 65 passengers.

Official opening of the Eiffel Tower

The main structural work was completed at the end of March 1889. On March 31, Eiffel celebrated the tower's completion by leading a group of government officials, accompanied by members of the press, to the top of the tower. Because the elevators had not yet been put into service, the ascent was made on foot, and took an hour as Eiffel stopped frequently to explain the various functions. Most of the members of the group decided to stop at the lower levels, but some of them, including structural engineer Emile Nouguier, construction manager Jean Compagnon, City Council President and reporters from "Le Figaro" and "Le Monde Illustre", made the ascent to the upper level of the tower . At 2:35 pm, the Eiffel raised the large tricolor to the accompaniment of a 25-gun salute on the first level.

But, there was still a lot of work ahead, in particular on elevators and equipment, and the tower was not open to the public for another nine days after the opening of the exhibition on May 6; even then, the elevators were not completed. The towers were an instant hit with the public, with almost 30,000 visitors taking 1,710 steps to reach the top before the lifts went into service (May 26). Ticket price 2 francs for the first level, 3 for the second and 5 for the upper part, half price on Sundays. By the end of the exhibition, the number of visitors totaled 1,896,987 people.

After dark, the tower was illuminated by hundreds of gas lamps, and the beacon sent out three beams of red, white, and blue light. Two spotlights mounted on a circular rail were used to illuminate the various exposition buildings. The daily opening and closing of the exposition was accompanied by the roar of cannons at the top of the tower.

The second level was occupied by the office of the French newspaper "Le Figar". There was also a printing press for printing special souvenir editions from "Le Figaro de la Tour". They also sold baked goods.

At the top was a post office where visitors could send letters and postcards to commemorate their visit to the tower. It was also possible to write down your impressions of the tower on sheets of paper on the walls specially installed for visitors. Gustave Eiffel described some of the reviews as "vraiment curieuse" ("truly curious").

The tower has been visited by notables such as the Prince of Wales, Sarah Bernhardt, "Buffalo Bill" Cody (his "Wild West show" drew attention to the exhibit) and Thomas Edison. Eiffel invited Edison to his suite at the top of the tower, where Edison presented him with one of his gramophones, a new invention and one of the exhibit's many highlights. Edison signed the guestbook with this message:

"For M. Eiffel - engineer, brave builder of such a gigantic and original specimen of modern technology from the one who has the greatest respect and admiration of all engineers, including the great engineer Bon Dew, Thomas Edison."

After some debate about the exact location of the tower, a contract was signed on January 8, 1887. It was signed by Eiffel on his own behalf rather than as a representative of his company. He was given 1.5 million francs for construction costs: less than a quarter of the approximately 6.5 million francs. Eiffel was to receive all proceeds from the commercial operation of the tower during the exhibition and for the next 20 years. He later set up a separate company to manage the tower, investing half of the required capital from his own pocket.

Why wasn't the Eiffel Tower demolished?

Eiffel had permission for the tower to stand for 20 years. It was to be dismantled in 1909 when it became the property of the city of Paris. The city planned to demolish the tower (it was part of the competition rules for the design of the tower that it should be easily dismantled), but since the tower proved valuable for communications purposes, it was allowed to keep it after the permit expired.

Eiffel used his apartment at the top of the tower to make meteorological observations and also used the tower to conduct experiments on the effects of air resistance on falling bodies.

Reconstruction of the Eiffel Tower

Prior to the 1900 World's Fair, the elevators taking passengers up to the second level at the east and west legs were replaced by those of the French company Fives-Lille. They had a compensating mechanism to keep the floor level as the angle of elevation changed at the first level. The lifts were operated by a similar hydraulic mechanism as the Otis lifts, although they were located at the base of the tower. Hydraulic pressure was provided by sealed accumulators located near this mechanism. At the same time, the lift to the first level at the northern leg was dismantled and replaced with stairs. The location of the first and second levels has been changed. It was organized by the space available to visitors on the second level. The original lift in the south leg was removed thirteen years later.

On October 19, 1901, Alberto Santos-Dumont, flying his airship No.6, won the prize of 100,000 francs offered to him by Henri Deutsche de la Meerthe as the first person to fly from Saint Cloud to the Eiffel Tower and back in less than than half an hour.

At the beginning of the 20th century, many innovations took place on the Eiffel Tower. In 1910, Theodor Wulff's father measured the radiation levels at the top and bottom of the tower. At the top, he discovered, as he expected, what is known today as cosmic rays. Just two years later, on February 4, 1912, the Austrian tailor Franz Reichel died after jumping from the first level of the tower (57 meters high) to demonstrate his parachute design. In 1914, at the start of World War I, a radio transmitter located in the tower jammed German radio communications, seriously hindering their advance in Paris and contributing to the Allied victory at the First Battle of the Marne. From 1925 to 1934, "Citroën" illuminated signs adorned three sides of the tower, making it the tallest billboard in the world at the time. In April 1935, the tower was used for an experimental low-definition television transmission using a 200 watt shortwave transmitter. On November 17, an improved 180-line transmitter was installed.

Interesting facts from the history of the Eiffel Tower

Sale of the Eiffel Tower

In two separate but related cases in 1925, the swindler Viktor Lustig "sold" the tower for scrap. A year later, in February 1926, pilot Léon Collet died while trying to fly under the turret. His plane became entangled in an antenna belonging to a wireless station. On May 2, 1929, a bust of Gustave Eiffel Antoine Bourdelle was unveiled at the base of the north leg. In 1930, the tower lost its title as the world's tallest structure when the Chrysler Building was completed in New York. In 1938 the decorative arcade around the first level was removed.

After the German occupation of Paris in 1940, the lifting cables were cut by the French. The tower was closed to the public during the occupation and the elevators were not restored until 1946. In 1940, German soldiers had to climb the tower to raise the swastika, but the flag was so large that it was blown away just a few hours later, after which it was replaced with a smaller one. When visiting Paris, Hitler decided not to climb the tower. In August 1944, as the Allies were closing in on Paris, Hitler ordered General Dietrich von Choltitz, the military governor of Paris, to demolish the tower along with the rest of the city. Von Choltitz disobeyed orders. On June 25, before the Germans were expelled from Paris, the Nazi flag was changed to the tricolor by two men from the French Naval Museum who were nearly beaten by three led by Lucien Sarniguet, who lowered the Tricolor on June 13, 1940, when Paris fell before the Germans.

Fire at the Eiffel Tower

On January 3, 1956, a fire broke out at the television transmitter, which resulted in damage to the top of the tower. It took a year to repair, and in 1957, a radio antenna, which had been there earlier, was attached to the top. In 1964, the Minister of Culture André Malraux officially recognized the Eiffel Tower as a historical monument. A year later, an additional lifting system was installed in the north column.

According to an interview, in 1967, Montreal Mayor Jean-Dropau made a secret agreement with Charles de Gaulle that the tower be dismantled and temporarily relocated to Montreal to serve as a landmark and tourist attraction during Expo 67. The plan was allegedly vetoed by the tower's operating company for fear that the French government might refuse permission to restore the tower to its original location.

Eiffel Tower elevator replacement

In 1982, the original elevators between the second and third levels were replaced after 97 years of service. They were closed to the public between November and March because the water in the hydraulic drive tended to freeze. The new cars work in pairs, one counterbalancing the other, and travel in one stage, reducing travel time from eight minutes to less than two minutes. At the same time, two new fire escapes were installed to replace the original ones. spiral staircases. In 1983, the South Column was fitted with an electrically powered Otis elevator to service the Jules Verne restaurant. Installed in 1899, the "Fives-Lille" elevators that climbed the east and west columns were completely renovated in 1986. The machines have been replaced and a computer system has been installed to fully automate them. Propulsion was transferred from the hydraulic water system to the new electrically driven oil hydraulics, and the original water hydraulics were retained solely as a counterbalance system. Three years later, a service lift was added to the south pillar to move small loads and maintenance personnel.

On March 31, 1984, Robert Moriarty flew a Beechcraft Bonanza under the tower. In 1987, AJ Hackett made one of his first bungee jumps from the top of the Eiffel Tower using a special cord he helped develop. Hackett was detained by the police. On October 27, 1991, Thierry Devaux, along with mountain guide Hervé Calvayrac, performed a series of acrobatic figures along with bungee jumping on the second floor of the tower. Deveaux used an electric winch between the figures in front of the Champ de Mars to return to the second floor. He stopped after the sixth jump when firefighters arrived.

Lights and night illumination of the Eiffel Tower

On December 31, 1999, to celebrate the "Countdown to the Year 2000", flashing lights and powerful floodlights were installed on the tower. Fireworks flickered around the tower. This event was dedicated to the exhibition above the cafeteria on the ground floor. The searchlights at the top of the tower made it a beacon in the night sky of Paris, and 20,000 flashing lights gave the tower a brilliant appearance for five minutes every hour.

On December 31, 2000, the lights flashed blue for several nights to usher in the new millennium. The brilliant lighting continued for 18 months until July 2001. The glittering lights were turned on again on June 21, 2003, and the spectacle was scheduled to last 10 years, after which the light bulbs needed to be replaced.

Eiffel Tower attendance

On November 28, 2002, the 200,000,000th guest visited the tower. In 2003, the tower was operating at maximum capacity and was visited by about 7 million people. In 2004, a seasonal skating rink was placed on the first level of the Eiffel Tower. During the renovation in 2014, a glass floor was installed on the first level.

Characteristics of the Eiffel Tower

What metal is the Eiffel Tower made of?

The weight of the Eiffel Tower's wrought iron is 7,300 tons, and with the addition of elevators, shops, and antennas, the total weight is about 10,100 tons. As a demonstration of the economics of the design, if 7,300 tons of metal were melted into the structure, it would fill a square base, 125 meters (410 feet) on each side, to a depth of only 6.25 cm (2.46 inches), assuming a metal density of 7.8 tons per cubic meter. In addition, the cubic box surrounding the tower (324m x 125m x 125m) would contain 6,200 tons of air, weighing nearly as much as the iron itself. Depending on the ambient temperature, top part the towers can move away from the sun by up to 18 cm (7 in) due to thermal expansion of the metal on the side facing the sun.

Structural stability of the Eiffel Tower

When the tower was built, many were shocked by its audacious form. Eiffel has been accused of trying to create something artistic without paying attention to design principles. However, Eiffel and his team—experienced bridge builders—understood the importance of wind forces, and knew that if they were going to build the tallest building in the world, they had to make sure it could withstand those forces. In an interview for Le Temps published on February 14, 1887, Eiffel said:

Isn't it true that the very conditions that give strength also correspond to the hidden rules of harmony? ... Therefore, what phenomenon should I have focused on when designing the Tower? This is wind resistance. Well then! I believe that the curvature of the four outer edges of the monument, which mathematically should have been ... will give a great impression of strength and beauty, as it will reveal to the eye of the observer the boldness of the design as a whole.

He more often used graphical methods to determine the strength of the tower and empirical data to account for the influence of wind, instead of mathematical formulas. Careful examination of the tower reveals a mostly exponential shape. Careful work was carried out on every detail of the tower to ensure maximum resistance to the force of the wind. The upper half was even supposed to have no gaps in the lattice. In the following years, after the completion of the project, engineers put forward various mathematical hypotheses in an attempt to explain its success. The most recent, developed in 2004 after letters sent by Eiffel to the French Society of Civil Engineers in 1885 were translated into English language, is described as a non-linear integral equation based on the counteraction of wind pressure on any point of the tower with tension between structural elements at that point.

Does the Eiffel Tower sway?

The Eiffel Tower sways up to 9 cm (3.5 inches) in the wind.

What's inside the Eiffel Tower?

When the Eiffel Tower was built, there were three restaurants on the first level - one French, one Russian and one Flemish, as well as an Anglo-American bar. After the exposition was closed, the Flemish Restaurant was converted into a theater with 250 seats. A 2.6 meters (8 ft 6 in) wide promenade ran outside the first level. At the top, there were laboratories for various experiments, as well as small apartments that Gustave Eiffel used to entertain guests. The apartment is currently open to the public, complete with period decorations as well as realistic mannequins of Eiffel and some of his notable guests.

In May 2016, an apartment was created on the first level to accommodate the four winners of the competition during the UEFA Euro 2016 football tournament in Paris in June. The apartment has a kitchen, two bedrooms, a living room and views of the sights of Paris, including the Seine, the Sacré Coeur and the Arc de Triomphe.

Passenger elevators in the Eiffel Tower

The location of the elevators has changed several times during the history of the tower. Considering the elasticity of the cables and the time it takes to align the cars with the seats, each round trip, under normal service, takes an average of 8 minutes and 50 seconds, spending an average of 1 minute and 15 seconds at each level. The average travel time between levels is 1 minute. The original hydraulic mechanism is on public display in a small museum at the base of the east and west legs. Since the mechanism requires frequent lubrication and Maintenance, public access is often restricted. Visitors can see the rope mechanism of the north tower when they exit the elevator.

Eiffel Tower inscriptions

Gustave Eiffel engraved the names of 72 French scientists, engineers and mathematicians on the tower in recognition of their contribution to the construction of the tower. Eiffel chose this "challenge of science" because of his concern about the artists' protest. At the beginning of the 20th century, the engravings were painted over, but in 1986-87 they were restored by the Société Nouvelle d'exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, working on the tower.

Aesthetic appearance of the Eiffel Tower

The tower is painted in three shades: lighter at the top, it gradually darkens towards the bottom and perfectly complements the Parisian sky. She was originally reddish brown; this color changed in 1968 to bronze, known as "Eiffel Tower Brown".

The only non-structural elements are the four decorative lattice arches added in Sauverre's sketches, which served to make the tower more substantial and create a more impressive entrance to the exposition.

How to see the Eiffel Tower

One of the great Hollywood clichés is that the view from a Parisian window always includes the tower. In fact, since zoning restrictions allow most buildings in Paris to be up to seven stories tall, only a small number of high-rise buildings have good review to the tower.

Maintenance of the Eiffel Tower

Tower maintenance includes applying 60 tons of paint every seven years to prevent corrosion. The tower has been completely repainted at least 19 times since it was built. Lead paint was used until 2001 when the practice was discontinued due to concerns about environment.

Eiffel Tower and tourism

Where is the Eiffel Tower located?

The nearest metro station is "Bir-Hakeim" and the nearest RER station is "Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel". The tower itself is located at the intersection of the Branly and Pont d "Iéna embankments.

Popularity of the Eiffel Tower among tourists

Over 250 million people have visited the tower since it was completed in 1889. In 2015, there were 6.91 million visitors. The tower is the most visited monument in the world. An average of 25,000 people climb the tower each day, which can lead to long queues. Tickets can be purchased online to avoid queues.

Eiffel Tower Restaurants

The tower has two restaurants: "Le 58 Tour Eiffel" on the first level, and "Le Jules Verne", a gourmet restaurant with a separate lift, on the second level. This restaurant has one star in the Red Michelin Guide. Its author is Michelin star chef Alain Ducasse, who owes his name to the famous science fiction writer Jules Verne.

Copies of the Eiffel Tower in the cities of the world

As one of the world's most iconic landmarks, the Eiffel Tower has inspired many replicas and similar towers. An early example is Blackpool Tower in England. The mayor of Blackpool, Sir John Bickerstaff, was so impressed when he saw the Eiffel Tower at the 1889 Exhibition that he commissioned a similar tower to be built in his city. It was opened in 1894 and stood at 158.1 meters (518 feet). Built for communications in 1958, Tokyo Tower in Japan was also inspired by the Eiffel Tower.

There are various scale models of the tower in the United States, including a half scale model of the Paris Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada, one in Texas built in 1993, and two 1:3 scale models in Kings Island, Ohio, and Kings Dominoion (Virginia), in amusement parks that opened in 1972 and 1975, respectively. Two 1:3 scale models can be found in China, one in Durango (Mexico) which was donated to the local French community, and several more throughout Europe.

In 2011, the National Geographic Channel TV show "Pricing the Priceless" suggested that about $480 million would be needed to build a full-size replica of the tower.

Functions of the Eiffel Tower

The tower has been used to provide radio transmission since the early 20th century. Until the 1950s, sets of overhead wires ran from the top of the tower to anchors on Avenue de Suffren and Champ de Mars. They were connected to longwave transmitters in small bunkers. In 1909, a permanent underground radio center was built under the south pillar, which still exists today. On November 20, 1913, the Paris Observatory used the Eiffel Tower as an antenna to exchange wireless signals with the US Naval Observatory, which used the antenna at Arlington, Virginia. The purpose of the transmissions was to measure the difference in longitude between Paris and Washington, DC. Today, radio and television signals are transmitted using the Eiffel Tower.

FM radio

TV antenna on the Eiffel Tower

A television antenna was first installed on the tower in 1957, adding 18.7 m (61.4 ft) to its height. Work carried out in 2000 added another 5.3 m (17.4 ft), giving the current height of 324 m (1,063 ft). Analog television signals from the Eiffel Tower were discontinued on March 8, 2011.

Why can't you shoot the Eiffel Tower at night?

The tower and its image have long been in the public domain. However, in June 1990, a French court ruled that the tower's special display lighting in 1989, which marked the tower's 100th anniversary, was an "original visual development" that was protected by copyright. The Court of Cassation, France's judicial court of last resort, upheld the decision in March 1992. "The Société d"Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel" currently treats any illumination of the tower as a separate work of art that is subject to copyright. As a result, SNTE argues that it is illegal to publish contemporary photographs of the illuminated tower at night for commercial use without permits in France and some other countries.

The introduction of copyright was controversial. The Director of Documentation of the then "Société Nouvelle d'exploitation de la Tour Eiffel" (SNTE), commented in 2005: "It's really just a way of controlling the commercial use of the image so that it's not used in ways we don't approve of." SNTE ( company that manages the Eiffel Tower) earned more than €1 million in royalties in 2002. However, it can also be used to restrict the publication of tourist photographs of the tower at night, as well as to discourage non-commercial and semi-commercial publication of images of the illuminated tower.

French doctrine and jurisprudence allows the photographing of an illuminated copyrighted work if its presence is accidental or ancillary to the subject represented, which is analogous to the rule "De minimis" ("The law does not care about the little things"). Therefore, SETE may not be able to claim copyright on photographs of Paris that may include the illuminated tower.

Eiffel Tower in popular culture

The Eiffel Tower has been portrayed in films, video games and television shows as a global landmark.

In a commitment ceremony in 2007, American Erica Eiffel "married" the Eiffel Tower; her relationship with the tower has been the subject of extensive global publicity.

Despite being the world's tallest structure on completion in 1889, the Eiffel Tower lost its reputation as both the tallest lattice tower and the tallest structure in France. Height with new antenna is 324 meters (as of 2010)