The Eiffel Tower is not just a symbol of Paris or France. This is a world famous landmark. The structure, called by the author a “300-meter tower,” is today one of the must-see sites for tourists.

More than 7 million people visit the tower every year. It is undoubtedly the most famous man-made object in Paris. If you ask people who have never been to the French capital what they know about the city, most will confidently answer: “The Eiffel Tower is there.”

Eiffel Tower: monument to the hundredth anniversary of the French Revolution

The main symbol of the French capital is today considered the most popular “commercial” (that is, one whose visit is paid for) attraction in the world. But during design and construction, this structure not only received no attention, but was also an object of ridicule for the townspeople. The design did not fit into the architectural ensemble of the city so much that its construction caused a wave of criticism.

Gustave Eiffel, by the way, is not the sole “father” of the tower. Dedicated to the hundredth anniversary french revolution The World's Fair of 1889 caused widespread excitement. On the Champ de Mars, in the center of Paris, the organizers decided to erect a monument in honor of a significant event in the history of the country. It was also supposed to serve as the entrance to the exhibition. A consulting and construction company owned by Eiffel, a famous bridge builder at the time, presented its own concept among others.

The author of the idea was an employee of the company with whom the owner of the engineering office had previously collaborated - Maurice Keshlen. They had worked together several years earlier to create metal fittings for the no less famous Statue of Liberty in the USA. Keshlen's drawings were finalized by another hired architect, Emil Nurie (by the way, he also took part in the creation of the original sketch, developed back in 1884).

107 works took part in the competition announced by the government, many of which were worthy of attention. After Eiffel's design was approved as the winning design, architect Stéphane Sauvestre made a number of changes to ensure the design's "artistic value".

The initially presented version of the Eiffel Tower did not have much sophistication and represented a transfer of bridge building principles to the vertical plane. Before the design changes were made, the drawings showed a pyramidal column, the four supports of which, rising upward, were gradually united. Thanks to Sovestre, the tower received decorative elements, arches, glass halls, stone cladding of supports, etc.

The fate of a unique project

It is interesting that in the first half of the 19th century. metal construction was just beginning to gain popularity, taking over the “field” from stone architecture. Durable cast iron, which appeared in the middle of the century, became one of the key stages in the transformation of construction. It is worth understanding that Eiffel, who chose this material, was also an entrepreneur, one of whose tasks was the intention to demonstrate the suitability of the material for large-scale work. Let us note that all participants in the competition had two goals set by the organizers: self-sufficiency of the project and the possibility of demolition after the end of the exhibition.

Eiffel was a very enterprising man, so he was able to competently assess the prospects of the project. As a result, having received a patent together with Keshlen and Nurie, he then bought all the rights to the design from them.

Looking ahead, let's say that they tried to make money on the Eiffel Tower in very original ways. For example, for nine whole years (until 1936) the building was used as a giant billboard: 125 thousand multi-colored light bulbs, flashing alternately, at Christmas 1925, formed an image of the building itself, star rain, zodiac signs and, finally, turned into the inscription “Citroën ”, which flared up regularly after sunset in subsequent years. The automaker's name was displayed on three sides of the tower.

From pillars to flagpole: the “birth” of the Eiffel Tower

It would seem that construction is so significant object for an event that was expected to attract millions of guests from around the world, it had to be funded by the government. But no, the Executive Committee of the Exhibition allocated only 25% of the required amount for the work. As a result, with a budget of 7.8 million francs, 2.5 million were personally invested by Eiffel. A significant portion of all funds were raised and loans.

Eiffel was not a man willing to make sacrifices to his own detriment. He concluded with representatives state power and the capital municipality an agreement under which the building was given to him for an operating lease for 25 years. During this period, the architect received all income from the work of the Eiffel Tower.

The construction itself, which was quite complex for the end of the last century, was carried out at an accelerated pace. Thanks to the involvement of 300 workers, as well as an original solution for the preparation of structural parts, the work was completed on time. The construction of the Eiffel Tower was reminiscent of assembling a construction kit: rivets were prepared in advance, holes for them were drilled in the beams, and the beams themselves were of such a size that their weight did not exceed 3 tons. This made it possible to use mobile cranes that moved along the rails of future elevators. Of the 18 thousand parts, there was not a single one that had not been calculated in advance to the nearest millimeter. As a result, in two years and two months (and another five days), the construction was completed. Even today, this result looks impressive, given the scale: the metal elements of the Eiffel Tower alone weigh 7.3 thousand tons, and the weight of the entire structure reaches 10 thousand tons.

The first walk to the top of Eiffel's brainchild was made by Parisian officials. Among them, several of the most physically resilient were selected - the visit to the top was not easy, because they had to climb 1,710 steps.

Of course, such a test was not offered to ordinary citizens - an elevator had to take guests upstairs. The first lifting structure was very inconvenient: it worked thanks to hydraulic pumps. The pressure in them was created using two large containers of water. IN winter period they could not work, which created difficulties in getting to the upper tiers. Currently, electric motors for elevators are installed on the Eiffel Tower, but the old structures have also been preserved, and those interested can inspect them.

Eiffel Tower - construction
Eiffel Tower - After opening

Above are only the stars

The three-hundred-meter structure, built between January 26, 1887 and March 31, 1889, was considered the tallest building in the world until 1930. The author himself called his project “the tallest flagpole.” The total height of 300 m at that time was almost twice the “record” of the previous giant - the 169-meter Washington Monument. 31 years after the opening of the Iron Lady, the New York Chrysler Building rose 304 m, ahead of the French Lady. The status quo was restored in 1957, when a television antenna appeared on the top of the Eiffel Tower. The total height of the structure reached 320.75 m. But by that time, the Empire State Building, which had grown up in Manhattan, had already captured the championship. Meanwhile, the “growth” of the Eiffel Tower is still very impressive - it can be compared to an 81-story skyscraper.

It should be noted that from the first years of the tower’s existence, this height attracted extreme sports enthusiasts, some of whom paid with their lives for crazy stunts on one of the most recognizable landmarks in Europe. Already in 1912, Franz Reichelt, a tailor, died here when he tried to take off from the first floor using the “cloak parachute” he invented. And 14 years later, pilot Leon Collot died here when he tried to fly an airplane under the tier of the Eiffel Tower, but caught the antenna.

It is surprising that with its enormous height, the Eiffel Tower is almost unaffected by even the strongest winds. Thus, during the hurricane of 1999, a 12-centimeter tilt of the structure was recorded. This figure is actually an excellent indicator for such an original building. It shows the skill of the architect, who was able to ensure the mobility of the structure due to storms by no more than 15 cm. Achieving safety under wind loads was a very important point, since the world still remembered the collapse of the longest bridge at that time, Tay Bridge. This crossing, unable to withstand the gust of wind, fell along with the train on it. But we must not forget that Eiffel demonstrated with his tower the reliability and promise of metal frames for high-rise construction.

At the same time, it is very interesting that the sun has a much greater impact on the Eiffel Tower. The side of the structure facing the luminary expands from heating, which leads to a deviation of the top to the side by up to 18 cm.

The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris, the main attraction of France

The first critics of the Eiffel Tower

Not everyone was inspired by the construction plans. Today we consider the Eiffel Tower one of the symbols of romance. A century ago, Parisians were very wary of an alien element in the ensemble of urban architecture. Even before the construction work began, 300 representatives of the French intelligentsia prepared a manifesto in which they expressed their outrage at the appearance of the “useless and monstrous” Eiffel Tower in the capital. Sculptors, architects and simply “passionate admirers of beauty” noted that Parisian art and the history of the city were under threat. The “pearl” of world urban planning, Paris, according to the authors of the manifesto, was supposed to lose its elegance. The “giant black factory chimney” was expected to depress buildings so dear to the hearts of the residents of the capital, such as Notre Dame and the Palace of the Invalids. The message was published in the newspaper Le Temps on St. Valentina.

The fact that the Eiffel Tower was still built, despite the protest, which was joined by eminent citizens of the French Republic, shows how high the authority of the author of the project was in the eyes of the authorities. And he turned out to be right - the result of the courageous work of hundreds of workers over the course of two years became known to almost the whole world within a few days.

Despite the comments of contemporaries who called the structure “the tallest lamppost,” “an iron monster,” and “the skeleton of a bell tower,” time has put everything in its place. Already in the first year of operation, the structure was visited by more than 2 million people. At the same time, construction costs were fully recouped within 10 months; in 1989 alone, tourists returned 2/3 of all costs. And today the Eiffel Tower is not inferior in popularity to tourists to the famous hill.

Practical significance of the Eiffel Tower

The design turned out to be so successful that literally from the first years it was used for various kinds experiments. The Parisian government planned to receive its share of the benefits from the existence of the Eiffel Tower after its dismantling by dismantling the structure for scrap metal. But Eiffel himself saved his brainchild from possible destruction, inviting the city to use the most high building cities as a radio antenna.

And even earlier, General Ferrier used the upper tier for his experiments with wireless telegraphy. By the way, it was here that one of the first telephone sessions in the country took place - between the Eiffel Tower and, in 1898. At the same time, Eiffel, who understood that he needed to find arguments in favor of the continued preservation of the building, financed experiments with wireless telegraphy with his own money. As a result, the ability to send and receive messages was highly appreciated by city officials. Understanding the importance of this method of communication, they extended the concession with the architect, although the contract expired in 1909.

Today, the Eiffel Tower serves not only as a place of pilgrimage for tourists, but also as a support for dozens of different antennas, including television ones. More than 100 of them provide reception and transmission of signals around the world. The antennas on the tower brought practical benefits to the armed forces. The French military used them to intercept enemy communications from Berlin during the First World War. It was thanks to them that the French were able to carry out a counter-offensive at the Battle of the Marne, when it became known that the Germans had stopped their advance in this direction.

In 1917, a coded message between Germany and France was intercepted from the Eiffel Tower. detailed description"Operational H-21". This message became one of the proofs of the guilt of Mata Hari, who was accused of spying for Germany and later executed.

Eiffel Tower - first level
Interior of Jules Verne restaurant
Eiffel Tower - elevator and stairs

Eiffel Tower: Historical facts

By the way, about Germany. Perhaps the only person who visited the Eiffel Tower and was unable to climb it was a “tourist” who did not experience any health problems. During the war, right before this guest’s visit, the elevator cable “accidentally” broke, so Adolf Hitler was never able to see Paris from a height of 300 meters. It was Hitler who wanted to end the existence of the structure: during the retreat of the German army, the Parisian military commandant was given the order to blow up this structure, like many other landmarks of Paris. Fortunately, he had enough prudence not to carry out the Fuhrer’s order.

The Eiffel Tower has long served as an object of scientific research. At the top of the structure, a laboratory was organized in which French scientists and the author of the tower himself conducted experiments and studied astronomy, meteorology, aerodynamics and physiology. In 1909, a wind tunnel was installed at the foot of the building, in which thousands of tests were carried out. Including the Wright brothers' planes and Porsche cars.

In memory of the French scientists and engineers, under the first balcony the names of the “List of 72” were engraved on the metal, which mainly included representatives of the exact sciences. By the way, a very loud scandal was associated with it on the part of representatives of feminist movements: among the names immortalized there is not a single woman. At the beginning of the 20th century. the names were painted over, but the Société Nouvelle d’exploitation de la Tour Eiffe company restored the inscriptions in 1986.

Eiffel Tower - evening illumination
Eiffel Tower - illuminated in the colors of the EU flag

Caring for the Iron Lady

Once every seven years, this gigantic structure undergoes painting. Over its history it has been repainted various colors. The first paint that was applied to the structure was reddish-brown. In the following decades " The Iron Lady" was successively covered with yellow, tan and chestnut. For the last few decades, the tower has been painted in a specially developed and patented shade of “Eiffel Brown” - similar to the natural shade of bronze. This color was mixed in 1968 and has not changed its composition since then. During the painting of the Eiffel Tower, up to 60 tons of dyes are used, and the time required for their application is from 15 to 18 months.

Since the Eiffel Tower is open to tourists 365 days a year, it is not surprising that regular cleaning is carried out here: to clean all tiers of debris and traces of the presence of guests, 4 tons of cleaning cloths, 400 liters of detergent, 25 thousand garbage bags are required. All this is done to make visiting the main attraction of the French capital both interesting and pleasant. By the way, people with disabilities are also taken care of here. Thus, guests confined to a wheelchair can take the elevator to the second level. However, there are no restrictions on movement. Surprisingly, each of the elevators travels more than 100 thousand km per year. common path.

Today the Eiffel Tower belongs to the city, and is managed by a special company hired by the Paris City Hall. In 2010, a new antenna was installed on the top, and the height of the structure reached 324 meters.

Thousands of Eiffel Tower lanterns

When the tower was built, its lighting consisted of two floodlights at the top and 10 thousand gas lamps. In 2003, the lighting of the structure was once again modernized. Today, the Eiffel Tower is shrouded in almost 40 kilometers of wires that power 20 thousand lamps specially designed for the tower. The new lighting cost 4.6 million euros. The Eiffel Tower's illumination turns on at nightfall, and at the beginning of every hour, for three minutes, the tower sparkles with a stunning radiance - flashing silver lights. A lighthouse shines from the top of the tower, rotating around its axis and emitting two powerful light beams.

By the way, lighting is often used during festive or, on the contrary, tragic events. Then the illumination is completely turned off as a sign of solidarity with those affected by terrorist attacks, or the flag of the country in which the tragedy occurred is projected onto the structure.

What to see inside the Eiffel Tower?

On the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, which is relatively low above the ground (only 57 m), guests will experience the incredible sensation of walking on a glass floor. There is no need to be afraid, it is completely safe. But an unforgettable experience is guaranteed. There is a buffet, a modest museum with exhibits from the history of the Iron Lady, and a cinema showing a film about the tower. In a special store you can stock up on souvenirs, admire the view of Paris from the seating area and see part of the old staircase that once led to Eiffel’s office. On the ground floor there is also a restaurant - the famous “58 Tour Eiffel ».

The second floor is located at a level of 115 m above the ground. You can also climb it by elevator or stairs. Hikers should be prepared for 674 steps. Almost the same number of steps need to be climbed to climb to the 25th floor in standard high-rise buildings. There is also a restaurant, a buffet and a souvenir kiosk here. But the observation deck with panoramic windows. History buffs can visit the “historical window,” an exhibition that tells the story of the stages of construction of the Eiffel Tower, as well as the peculiarities of its elevators.
Access to the third floor is limited to guests only by a glass elevator (although there are stairs here too). Here, at an altitude of 300 m, there is a unique observation deck, second in height in Europe only to its “rival” in the Ostankino Tower. Since the floor area is very modest, only 250 sq.m., there are few objects on it: Eiffel’s office with a restored interior and wax figures, a bar, a model of the floor with a design from 1889 and panoramic maps. Using the latter, you can determine where other attractions are located relative to the Eiffel Tower.

Eiffel Tower: Visit

When visiting the Eiffel Tower, it is worth considering its popularity among tourists. Waiting times in lines at the ticket office and then in the elevator can reach several hours. At the same time, you can get to the first floor on foot by climbing a staircase of 347 steps, which is good for your health and wallet - an elevator ticket will cost 1.5 times more.
Despite the fact that 500 employees (including staff of restaurants, museums, etc.) regularly monitor the comfort and convenience of visitors, a large number of those wishing to visit the attraction practically does not allow the queues to shorten.

On the official site tower, you can purchase tickets online in advance for the desired time and date. Tickets are available 90 days before the date of visit, but most often tickets sell out quickly several days before the planned visit they may not be available.

There are two restaurants in the Eiffel Tower "58 Tour Eiffel" " and "Jules Verne " When booking a table, you will ascend to the desired tier via a separate elevator, without queuing.

Lifehack
The most physically prepared visitors can try to save time in queues by climbing the stairs to the first tier of the tower. Usually the line at the ticket office to go up the stairs is much shorter than at the elevator ticket office. The ticket office and entrance to the staircase are located on the far right pillar of the tower when looking at it from the river.
Having climbed the stairs, already on the first level you can buy a ticket to go to the upper tier by elevator (the queues here may be shorter).

Eiffel Tower Opening hours and cost of visiting:

Opening hours:
In winter 9:00 - 23:00
In summer 9:00 - 00:00

Price:

From 3 to 17 euros depending on the floor and age of the visitor.
Check the price on the official website Eiffel Tower.

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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 the 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, approximately the same as an 81-story building. It is the tallest building in Paris. Its base is a square, each side measuring 125 meters (410 feet). 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. With the addition of a broadcast antenna at the top of the tower in 1957, the Eiffel Tower again stood taller than the Chrysler Building by 5.2 meters (17 ft). Excluding transmitters, the Eiffel Tower is the second tallest structure in France after the Millau Viaduct.

The tower has three levels for visitors, with restaurants on the first and second levels. The highest platform is 276 meters (906 feet) above the ground - the highest observation deck in the European Union accessible to the public. Tickets can be purchased to take the stairs or elevator on the first and second levels. The rise from ground level to the first level is more than 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 of ​​creating the Eiffel Tower

The design of the Eiffel Tower was conceived by Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, two senior engineers working for the Compagnie des Établissements Eiffel, following a discussion about a suitable centerpiece for the 1889 Universal Exhibition to mark the centenary of the French Revolution. Eiffel openly admitted that he drew inspiration for the tower from the Latting Observatory building in New York in 1853. In May 1884, while 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 Sourest, head of the company's architectural department, to provide input on the design. Sowrest 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 Kochlin, Nougier and Sourest, after which the project was exhibited at an exhibition of decorative arts in the fall of 1884 under the company name. On March 30, 1885, Eiffel presented his plans to the Society of Civil Engineers; after discussing the technical problems, and emphasizing the practical significance of the tower, he ended his speech by saying that the tower would become a symbol

not only the art of modern engineering, but also a symbol of the age of industry and science in which we live, and the way for which 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 Trade. The budget for the Exhibition was approved, and on 1 May, Lockroy announced a change to the terms of the open competition, the focus of which was the central part of the Exhibition, which made the choice of Eiffel's design a foregone conclusion, since the data was to include a study of a 300 m (980 ft) tetrahedral metal tower on Field of Mars. On May 12, a commission was created to study the scheme of Eiffel and his rivals, which after a month decided that all proposals except 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, attracting criticism from those who did not believe it was feasible and those who objected on artistic grounds. These objections were an expression of a long-standing debate in France about the relationship between architecture and engineering. These thoughts began to emerge in people's minds when work began on the Champ de Mars: the "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 on 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 construction... of this useless and monstrous Eiffel Tower... so that our discontent will be reasoned, imagine for a moment an absurd tower reaching to the sky, which dominates Paris like a giant black chimney, and crushes Notre Dame, the Tour Saint-Jacques, the Louvre, the Dome of the Invalides with its barbaric mass, Arc de Triomphe. All our humiliated monuments will disappear in this terrible dream. And within twenty years...we will see the ink stain of the hated shadow from the hated column of dangling sheet metal stretch."

Gustave Eiffel responded to these criticisms by comparing his tower to the Egyptian pyramids: “My tower will be the tallest structure ever erected by man. Why can’t it be equally grandiose? And why is it that what is delightful in Egypt becomes disgusting and ridiculous in Paris?" These criticisms were also addressed by Edouard Locroy in a letter of support written to Alphand, where he says with irony: “Judging from the majestic swell of rhythms, the beauty of metaphors, the elegance of a subtle and precise style, it can be said 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 had no significance, since the project had been decided several months earlier, and the construction of the tower had already been carried out full swing.

Indeed, Garnier was a member of the Tower Commission that examined the various proposals, and had no objections. Eiffel was also unhappy that journalists were prematurely judging the effect of the tower solely on the basis of the drawings, that on the Champs de Mars the tower would be far enough away from the monuments mentioned in the protest and there was no threat that the tower would overwhelm 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 in 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 became a symbol of Paris and France after Guillaume Apollinaire wrote a nationalist poem in the shape of the tower (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 often appears in films and literature.

How was the Eiffel Tower built?

Work on the foundation began on January 28, 1887. The eastern and southern bases of the tower were simple, with each beam standing on a 2 m (6.6 ft) wide concrete slab. The western and northern foothills, being closer to the Seine River, were more complex: each slab required two piles, 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) thick concrete slabs. Each of these slabs is supported by a block of limestone with a sloping top to support the support block of the iron structure.

Each leg of the Eiffel Tower was secured to the masonry using a pair of bolts 10 cm (4 in) in diameter and 7.5 m (25 ft) in length. The foundation was completed on June 30, after which construction of the metal structure began. Visible work on site was supplemented with a huge amount of demanding preparatory work which took place behind the scenes: the design bureau produced 1700 general drawings and 3629 detailed drawings, 18038 different necessary details. The task of composing the components was complicated by the difficult angles designed 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 were designed to one second of arc. The finished components (some of them already forged together into knots) arrived on horse-drawn carts from the plant in the Paris suburb of Levallois-Perret. At first they were fastened with bolts, which were replaced with rivets as the construction of the tower progressed. No drilling or 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 parts were joined together using 2.5 million rivets.

The legs were initially cantilevered, but about halfway up the first level, construction was stopped to create a timber platform. This reopening raised concerns about the tower's structural integrity, as well as sensationalist tabloid headlines: "Eiffel Suicide!" and "Gustave Eiffel went mad: he was imprisoned in a mental hospital." At this stage, a small "creeping" crane was installed, designed to move up the tower in each leg. They used elevator guides that had to be installed in four legs. The critical stage of joining the legs on the first level was completed by the end of March 1888. Although the metalwork was prepared with great attention to detail, minor adjustments were later made to align the legs; hydraulic jacks, capable of exerting a force of 800 tons, were fitted to 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 safety measures, the use of movable ladders, handrails and screens.

Elevators in the Eiffel Tower

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

Construction of the elevators to reach 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, hinged links to which the machine was attached. Weight some of the chain links were counterbalanced by the heavy weight of the machine. The machine was raised from the bottom up, rather than lowered from above: to prevent the chain from becoming unstable, 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 a direct route was not possible. No French company wanted to take on this work. 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 come 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 set about creating project.

The elevator was divided into two overlapping compartments, each to hold 25 passengers, with the elevator operator occupying the outer platform on the first level. Propulsion was provided by an inclined hydraulic rod 12.67 m (41 ft 7 in) long and 96.5 cm (38.0 in) in diameter, which was mounted in the foot of the tower with a 10.83 m (35 ft) stroke 6 inches): this required a wagon with six pulleys. Five fixed pulleys were mounted above the leg, creating a device similar to a block 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 produced by a large open reservoir on the second level. Once exhausted from the cylinder, the water was pumped back into a two-pump reservoir in the engine room at the base of the south leg. This reservoir also provided power to the first level lifts.

The original elevators for travel between the second and third levels were supplied by Leon Edux. A pair of 81-metre (266 ft) hydraulic rams were installed on the second level and extended almost halfway to the third level. One elevator machine 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 machine. Each lift only covered half the distance between the second and third levels and passengers were required to change lifts halfway using a short ramp. Each 10-ton vehicle 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. Since elevators were not yet operational, the ascent was made on foot, and took an hour as Eiffel stopped frequently to explain the various functions. Most of the group decided to stay at the lower levels, but several of them, including structural engineer Emile Nouguier, construction manager Jean Compagnon, the Chairman of the City Council and reporters from Le Figaro and Le Monde Illustre, climbed to the upper level of the tower . At 14:35, 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 to be done, particularly on the elevators and equipment, and the tower was not open to the public for another nine days after the exhibition opened on May 6; even then, the elevators were not completed. The towers were an instant hit with the public, and nearly 30,000 visitors took 1,710 steps to reach the top before the lifts went into service (May 26). Tickets cost 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 track were used to illuminate the various buildings of the exposition. The daily opening and closing of the exhibition 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 printing press for printing special souvenir editions from "Le Figaro de la Tour". They also sold baked goods there.

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

The tower was visited by such famous figures as the Prince of Wales, Sarah Bernhardt, "Buffalo Bill" Cody (his "Wild West show" attracted attention to the exhibition) and Thomas Edison. Eiffel invited Edison to his apartment at the top of the tower, where Edison presented him with one of his gramophones, a new invention and one of the many highlights of the exhibition. Edison signed the guest book with this message:

"For M. Eiffel - the engineer, the brave builder of such a gigantic and original piece 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 approximately 6.5 million francs. Eiffel was to receive all profits from the commercial operation of the tower during the exhibition and for the next 20 years. He later created 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 (part of the rules of the competition to design the tower was that it must be easily dismantled), but since the tower proved valuable for communications purposes, it was allowed to remain 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

Before the 1900 World's Fair, the elevators carrying passengers to the second level in the east and west legs were replaced by elevators from the French company Fives-Lille. They had a compensating mechanism to maintain the floor level as the angle of elevation changed at the first level. The elevators were operated by a similar hydraulic mechanism as the Otis elevators, 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 in the north leg was removed and replaced with a staircase. The layout of the first and second levels has been changed. A space accessible to visitors on the second level was organized. The original elevator at the south leg was removed thirteen years later.

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

At the beginning of the 20th century, many innovations occurred at the Eiffel Tower. In 1910, Theodore Wolf's father measured radiation levels at the top and bottom of the tower. At the top, he discovered, as he expected, what is today known as cosmic rays. Just two years later, on February 4, 1912, 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 hampering their advance through Paris and contributing to the Allied victory at the First Battle of the Marne. From 1925 to 1934, illuminated Citroën signs adorned three sides of the tower, making it the highest advertising space in the world at the time. In April 1935, the tower was used for experimental low-resolution 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

On two separate but related occasions in 1925, fraudster Victor Lustig "sold" the tower for scrap. A year later, in February 1926, pilot Leon Collet died while trying to fly under the tower. His plane became entangled in an antenna belonging to a wireless station. On May 2, 1929, a bust of Gustav Eiffel by Antoine Bourdelle was unveiled at the base of the northern leg. In 1930, the tower lost its title as the tallest structure in the world 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 a swastika, but the flag was so large that it was blown away just a few hours later, after which it was replaced by a smaller one. When visiting Paris, Hitler decided not to climb the tower. In August 1944, as the Allies approached 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 replaced by the tricolor by two men from the French naval museum, who were nearly beaten by three men led by Lucien Sarniguette, who lowered the tricolor on June 13, 1940, when Paris fell in front of the Germans.

Fire at the Eiffel Tower

On January 3, 1956, a fire started at the television transmitter, damaging the top of the tower. It took a year to repair, and in 1957, the radio antenna that had previously been there was attached to the top. In 1964, the Minister of Cultural Affairs André Malraux officially recognized the Eiffel Tower as a historical monument. A year later, an additional lifting system was installed in the northern column.

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

Replacing elevators at the Eiffel Tower

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 machines work in pairs, one counterbalancing the other, and make the journey in one stage, cutting travel time from eight minutes to less than two minutes. At the same time, two new fire escapes were installed to replace the original spiral staircases. In 1983, the south column was equipped with an electrically driven Otis elevator to serve the Jules Verne restaurant. Installed in 1899, the Fives-Lille elevators, which ascend the east and west columns, were completely renovated in 1986. The machines were replaced and a computer system was installed to fully automate them. The driving force was transferred from the water hydraulic 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 elevator 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 police. On October 27, 1991, Thierry Devaux, along with mountain guide Hervé Calvairac, performed a series of acrobatic feats along with bungee jumping on the second floor of the tower. Deveaux used an electric winch between the figures in front of the Champs 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 2000", flashing lights and powerful spotlights were installed on the tower. Fireworks flickered around the tower. An exhibition above the cafeteria on the first floor was dedicated to this event. The floodlights 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 sparkled blue for several nights to usher in the new millennium. The brilliant illumination continued for 18 months until July 2001. The sparkling lights were turned on again on June 21, 2003, and the spectacle was planned to last for 10 years, after which the bulbs would need to be replaced.

Eiffel Tower attendance

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

Characteristics of the Eiffel Tower

What metal is the Eiffel Tower made of?

The wrought iron weight of the Eiffel Tower 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 ft) on each side, to a depth of only 6.25 cm (2.46 in), assuming a metal density of 7.8 tons per cubic meter. In addition, the cubic box surrounding the tower (324 m x 125 m x 125 m) would contain 6,200 tons of air, weighing almost as much as the iron itself. Depending on the ambient temperature, the top of the tower 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.

Stability of the Eiffel Tower structure

When the tower was built, many were shocked by its bold shape. Eiffel was 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 these forces. In an interview for the newspaper 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?...Consequently, what phenomenon should I have paid the main attention to when designing the Tower? This is wind resistance. Well then! I believe that the bending of the four outer edges of the monument, which according to mathematical calculations should have been... will give great impression strength and beauty, as it will reveal to 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 take into account the influence of wind instead mathematical formulas. Close 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 wind force. The top half even suggested there were no gaps in the grille. In the years following the project's completion, engineers came up with 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, is described as a nonlinear integral equation based on the opposition of wind pressure on any point of the tower with tension between the elements structures at this point.

Does the Eiffel Tower swing?

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 exhibition was closed, the Flemish Restaurant was converted into a theater with 250 seats. A 2.6 meter (8 ft 6 in) wide walkway ran outside the first level. At the top, there were laboratories for various experiments, as well as small apartments that served Gustave Eiffel to entertain guests. The apartment is now open to the public, complete with period decorations as well as lifelike mannequins of Eiffel and some of his notable guests.

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

Passenger elevators in the Eiffel Tower

The location of the elevators has been changed several times during the tower's history. Given the elasticity of the cables and the time required to level the cars with the seats, each round trip, with normal service, takes an average of 8 minutes and 50 seconds, spending an average of 1 minute and 15 seconds at each level. Average travel time between levels is 1 minute. The original hydraulic mechanism is on display in a small museum at the base of the east and west legs. Because the mechanism requires frequent lubrication and maintenance, public access is often limited. Visitors can see the north tower's rope mechanism as they exit the elevator.

Lettering on the Eiffel Tower

Gustave Eiffel engraved the names of 72 French scientists, engineers and mathematicians on the tower in recognition of their contributions to the tower's construction. 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 company working for the tower.

The aesthetic appearance of the Eiffel Tower

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

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

Where can you see the Eiffel Tower?

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

Eiffel Tower Maintenance

Maintenance of the tower 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 stopped 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 embankment and Pont d'Iéna.

Popularity of the Eiffel Tower among tourists

More than 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. On average 25,000 people climb the tower every day, which can lead to long queues. To avoid queues, tickets can be purchased online.

Eiffel Tower Restaurants

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

Replicas of the Eiffel Tower in cities around the world

As one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, 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 town. It was opened in 1894 and rose to 158.1 meters (518 feet). The designers of Tokyo Tower in Japan, built for communications in 1958, were 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 King's Dominion (Virginia), 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 given to the local French community, and several more throughout Europe.

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

Functions of the Eiffel Tower

The tower has been used to provide radio transmissions since the early 20th century. Until the 1950s, sets of overhead wires ran from the top of the tower to anchors at Avenue de Suffren and Champ de Mars. They were connected to long-wave 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 United States Naval Observatory, which used an antenna in 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, increasing its height by 18.7 m (61.4 ft). Work carried out in 2000 added a further 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 photograph 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 special lighting of the display on the tower in 1989, which commemorated the tower's 100th anniversary, was an "original visual design" that was protected by copyright. Court of Cassation, judicial court France of last resort, upheld the decision in March 1992. "The Société d"Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel" currently considers any lighting of the tower to be a separate work of art that is subject to copyright. As a result, SNTE claims that it is illegal to publish modern photographs illuminated tower at night for commercial use without permission in France and some other countries.

The introduction of copyright was controversial. The Director of Documentation of the then-called "Société Nouvelle d'exploitation de la Tour Eiffel" (SNTE), commented on this in 2005: "It's really just a way of managing the commercial use of the image, so that it's not used in ways that we don't approve of." SNTE ( the company that manages the Eiffel Tower) earned more than €1 million from 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 photographing of an illuminated copyrighted work if its presence is incidental or ancillary to the subject represented, which is analogous to the rule "De minimis" ("The law does not care about minutiae"). Therefore, SETE may not be able to claim copyright for photographs of Paris that may include the illuminated tower.

Eiffel Tower in popular culture

The Eiffel Tower is depicted 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 widespread global publicity.

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

What should you learn before visiting the Eiffel Tower? Unexpected, but true - take pictures at night! When the big city lights come on, the Eiffel Tower looks especially attractive, and every tourist will confirm this!

So, as you already understand, you need to visit the Eiffel Tower at night. The beautiful illumination of the tower is not only its decoration and a chic background for photography. In the evening, every hour a light show begins here - illumination. You can watch every hour after turning on the main backlight until 01:00. The show lasts 5 minutes and is best watched from the observation deck on Trocadéro Square.

The view of the city at night is unforgettable. But, if you still want to visit it during the daytime, then you must appear here twice, once at night - watch the show, take photos, and the second time - climb to the very top to feel the power of the structure itself, the height of which reaches 300 meters and see Paris within a radius of 70 kilometers!

How to get to the Eiffel Tower

The best way to get here is by public transport.
• Metro:
  Bir-Hakeim (M6 – metro line 6)
  Trocadéro (M9 – metro line 9)
• By train RER:
  Champs de Mars - Tour Eiffel (RER C)
• By bus:
  Tour Eiffel stop: No. 82, 42;
  Champ de Mars stop: No. 82, 87, 69

Schedule

The Eiffel Tower's opening hours vary depending on the season. The tourist season begins in mid-June and ends in early September; it is during this period that the tower operates longer than usual.

• elevator and stairs 9:00 - 00:45, open until 24:00, last lift to the third level at 23:00.

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

Eiffel Tower levels

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

1. At the ground level there are ATMs, an information board, souvenir shops (in the supports of the tower), a buffet with snacks, hydraulic machines dating back to the foundation of the structure (which can only be seen during the tour), as well as a bust of G. Eiffel, which is located on the corner of the North Pillar .
2. At an altitude of 57 meters, reconstruction recently took place. Now you can walk along the first floor and see the ground under your feet; the floors here are glass and transparent. Modern computerized information stands have also been added along the terrace. Here you can see the remnant (4.30 meters high) of the staircase that originally led to the very top, to the office of G. Eiffel. Children will be interested in watching 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, G. Eiffel's 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. The second level of the tower, at an altitude of 115 meters, will be no less interesting. 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 deck of the Eiffel Tower, which offers a gorgeous view of the capital. This is where advanced tourists strive to get, so that, impressed by what they see, they can drink a glass of champagne in the Champange bar (by the way, not a cheap pleasure!) In addition, here you can see the recreated office of Gustave Eiffel with wax figures, look at panoramic photographs taken from different observation platforms, and also get acquainted with the model 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 you should dress practically here. Bring a windproof jacket as it is windy on the upper areas. Many who have visited the tower in windy weather (which occurs quite often here) claim that the tower sways slightly. Therefore, take care of comfortable clothes and go to conquer the Eiffel Tower.

Photo of the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower Tickets

Ticket prices vary depending on how you go up: 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 an elevator that will take you from the first to the third level and back.

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

• Walking adult: 10 euros
• Walking youth (12-24 years): 5 euros
• Walking children (4-11 years): 2.50 euros
• By elevator adult: 16 euros
• Youth elevator: 8 euros
• Child: 4 euros

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

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

Combination ticket to the third level (stairs + elevator)

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

• (price: 43.00 €, 2.5 hours)
• (price: 25.00 €, 3 hours)
• (price: 45.00 €, 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 don’t know how to avoid a three-hour standstill stand in a general queue at the ticket office, and then stand in line for the elevator, which takes you to all levels of the tower. The activity is tedious 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 certain date and day. This can be done 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 may work, but it is unlikely. Therefore, you need to look for tickets three months before your planned visit to Paris. Such tickets go on sale at 8:30 am local time and are sold out 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 queuing, as long as you are not more than 30 minutes late from the visiting time indicated on your ticket. Therefore, it is better to be in the tower lobby 10 minutes before the indicated time.

The second way is to buy a tour, the price of which includes a skip-the-line visit to the Eiffel Tower.

• (62.50 €)
• (43.00 €)

Panoramic restaurants

It is worth briefly 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 Trocadero. The cozy spacious rooms of the restaurant are ideal for both a romantic dinner and a gala reception (up to 200 guests).

Lunch, which costs 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.

Having booked a table at Le Jules Verne(second level) the window offers a panoramic view of Paris from a 124-meter height. 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, and a lobster dinner will cost at least 200 euros.

Located on the top level 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, 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 planned to shock the public. The next world trade and industrial exhibition was timed to coincide with the anniversary of democracy. Innovations in production technologies and the emergence of new types of products required widespread advertising. The exposition was a symbol of industrialization and an open platform for demonstrating the achievements of industry. This type of presentation of products and technologies began to be carried out on an ongoing basis.

Architects, wanting to look into the future and capture the imagination of visitors, proposed various options for the appearance of the pavilions. One of the original structures was a 115-meter indoor gallery of machines.

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

• originality of architectural appearance;
• economic efficiency;
• Possibility of dismantling after the end of the exhibition.

The proposal of G. Eiffel’s company, which designed a steel tower 300 m high, could not have come at a better time. There were no precedents for this structure in the world. However, engineering calculations were based on significant experience in the construction of railway bridges, the complexity and responsibility of the structures was not inferior to the planned tower. Well, the futuristic design was beyond competition.

These arguments persuaded the commission members in favor of Eiffel's proposal, and he was granted the privilege of the invention. Company engineers Maurice Koehlen and Emile Nugier took part in the creation of the project.

Parisians did not share the optimism of the exhibition organizers. The general public, fearing that the cyclopean structure would spoil the special architectural appearance of the capital, was seriously up in arms against both Eiffel himself and the organizing committee. Shortly after the publication of the results of the competition, the Parisian newspaper “Le Temps” (Time) published a protest by prominent art figures, including Guy de Moppasant, E. Zola, A. Dumas (the younger). Writers, artists, and sculptors expressed outrage over the construction of the useless and “terrible Eiffel Tower.” The church did not stand aside either.

Clerics, maintaining 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 when creating revolutionary projects. Eiffel’s brainchild was branded with all sorts of offensive labels: an iron monster, the skeleton of a bell tower, a sieve in the form of a candle.

But progress and common sense cannot be stopped. The exhibition organizing committee, having approved the construction, provided only less than a quarter necessary funds. Eiffel offered to finance the project from his own company if he was given the exclusive right to make a profit during the entire life of its operation. An agreement was reached and the author was given one and a half million francs in gold. The miracle tower was built. The costs were recouped in just a year.

After 20 years of operation, according to the agreement, the tower was to be dismantled. Only the intervention of a powerful lobbyist could save it from demolition. And one was found in the person of the military department. Back in 1898, a transmitter was installed on the upper platform and the first radio communication session was carried out. Eiffel proposed to the Ministry of Defense to use the tower as an antenna to transmit radio signals over long distances. Thus, he was not only the builder, but also the savior of a unique structure, which became the most striking symbol of France.

The "Iron Lady", which glorified its creator, overshadowed his talent as a bridge builder and a brilliant engineer. Few people know that Gustav Eiffel designed in 1885 internal structure Statue of Liberty. 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 personification of creative enthusiasm, but also the embodiment of a technological breakthrough in metallurgy. The material for the tower was a special type of soft iron. It was produced through the puddling process, during which cast iron was converted into low-carbon iron. Strength characteristics allowed architects to realize the most daring plans. Thanks to its lightness and strength, it became possible to build large structures.

Construction began on January 26, 1887 on the Champ de Mars with excavation work to construct a foundation pit. To prevent groundwater from penetrating into the recess, a system of caisson devices used during the construction of bridges was used, which created overpressure in the workspace and prevented the penetration of moisture.

At the same time, in-line production of parts was launched at the Eiffel plant in the Paris suburb of Lavallois-Parre 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. The designers, using the techniques of shipbuilding technologies, meticulously outlined the geometry of each type of segments and the attachment points of riveted and bolted connections down to the micron. Technological holes were drilled at the factory. Already manufactured parts for other structures were also put into use. Each set metal elements supplied with detailed drawings and installation instructions.

To improve the aesthetic appearance of the structure, architect Stefan Sauvestre proposed lining the metal supports of the first tier with decorative stone, as well as constructing arched structures to decorate the main entrance to the exhibition. If this solution had been implemented, the tower would have been deprived of a coherent architectural exterior.

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

High production standards made it possible to achieve unprecedented rates of construction. During large-scale assembly on a construction site, the need to adjust individual elements was reduced to almost zero - defects in work were eliminated. Only about 300 engineers, craftsmen and installation workers were simultaneously involved in construction. The construction work was completed after 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, Gustav Eiffel invited officials to climb the steps to the top of the tallest structure in the world.

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

The structure 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 shape of an arch. The first platform rests on the vault - a square with a side of 65 m. There is a restaurant of the same name and a souvenir shop. On the second tier - the side of the platform is 35 m - there is also the Jules Verne restaurant and an extensive observation deck. Initially, reservoirs for the hydraulic system of elevator mechanisms were located here. The uppermost platform measures 16 by 16 m. Visitors are lifted to each of the tiers separate system passenger elevators. Two original elevators, installed back in 1899, have survived to this day. If anyone decides to climb to the highest platform on foot, they will have to overcome 1,710 steps.

The main parameters of the tower are as follows:

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

If all the metal used is melted and poured onto the base area, the height of the array will be only six meters. This indicates the exceptional ergonomics of the design. Every seven years all metal surfaces are painted. This work requires up to 60 tons of material. The tower was painted in different eras different colors. Recent decades the original color is used, called “Eiffel brown”.

The opening of the world exhibition was accompanied by the bright, for those times, illumination of the tower. 10 thousand acetylene lamps were used. The lighthouse installed on the top was illuminated with three colors of the French tricolor. At the beginning of the 20th century, an electric lighting system began to be installed on the structure.

In the mid-20s, the famous automobile tycoon Henri Citroen turned the tower into the world's tallest advertisement. Using 125 thousand light bulbs along 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 tower structure from below with spotlights. More than three hundred specially manufactured lighting fixtures were installed at different levels. At night, sodium lamps painted the metal giant a golden color.

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

In May 2006, in honor of the twentieth 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 gold 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
Metro: Bir-Hakeim
RER train: Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel
Working hours: 9:00 - 23:00; 9:00 - 02:00 (summer)

Ticket price

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

The most visited and photographed landmark in the world is the Eiffel Tower, located in Paris. For millions of people around the world, this image is the most recognizable. It is fair to strive to see it with your own eyes, because the Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris.

Eiffel Tower: brief description with photos

Find out some new facts about this 300 meter beauty, get to know its history, as well as life hacks for tourists from our review.

Finding the most important landmark of France in Paris is very easy, because it is visible from anywhere in the city. Even if you get lost, ask any city resident about the Eiffel Tower in English or French, and they will definitely tell you and show you where to go.

Where is the Eiffel Tower

It doesn't matter whether you decide to get there by metro or by boat, by car or by bike - all ways to get to the Eiffel Tower are good and convenient! You can also combine a visit to this attraction with a walk through the streets of Paris or along the Seine River. After all, the Eiffel Tower is located in the very center of Paris, two kilometers from the Champs Elysees on the Champs de Mars.

6 ways to get to the Eiffel Tower:

1. Metro. The metro station closest to the tower is Bir-Hakeim, line 6. You can also take line 9 to Trocadero station and walk to this attraction. When exiting the metro, look at how the Eiffel Tower is located on a map of Paris and walk about 500 m in the chosen direction.
2. By regional train RER. On Line C, the closest station to the tower is Champ de Mars or Tour Eiffel. From the RER station you only need a few minutes' walk to reach France's most famous landmark.
3. By bus. There are four buses traveling in the direction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Their numbers are: 82, 42, 87 and 69. Head towards the Champ de Mars stop.
4. By bike. This is a pleasant way to stroll the streets of Paris and visit the Eiffel Tower. You don't even need to know its address to easily ride your bike to the attraction itself.
5. On the boat. Not everyone knows about this original and interesting way to get to the Eiffel Tower. The Seine River flows through the heart of Paris and offers tourists the opportunity to enjoy boat trips, including near the tower.
6. By car. If you want to get to the Eiffel Tower by car, we recommend parking in any of the nearby underground parking lots near the Eiffel Tower location. A good choice is to park at the Quai Branly, which is located on the Paris map less than 300 meters from the famous landmark!

Story

You may know that fate is quite interesting and confusing. From its very construction it was not supposed to become a symbol of Paris. She received a lot of criticism from both ordinary Parisians and famous people. For example, Guy de Maupassant even dined in the tower restaurant so as not to see it.

photo: drawings of the Eiffel Tower

However, Gustav Eiffel's idea to erect an entrance arch to a major World Exhibition in 1889 was realized and, in fact, from this moment the history of the Eiffel Tower begins. Although initially it should have ended quite quickly. After 20 years, the tower was going to be dismantled, but this did not happen due to the development of radio, television and cellular communications in France.

Who built it?

The daredevil and talented architect who built the Eiffel Tower is considered Gustave Eiffel, but it is not so.

The plan to build a 300 meter tall tower was conceived as part of the preparations for the 1889 World's Fair.

Emile Nouguier and Maurice Koechlin are two chief engineers at the Eiffel company who came up with the idea of ​​a very tall tower in June 1884. By this time, the company had perfectly mastered the principle of constructing bridge supports, which formed the basis for the design of the tower. The Eiffel company's project was a bold continuation of this principle, but 300 meters high. On September 18, 1884, a patent was registered "For a new configuration to enable the construction of metal supports and pylons exceeding a height of 300 meters."

Gustave Eiffel actually built the Eiffel Tower, and the architect Stéphane Sauvestre drew up this grandiose project. Sovester proposed a large number of improvements to the original design, including large arches at the base of the tower. These arches give it a very distinctive appearance.

Construction

After the project was developed, the construction of the Eiffel Tower began. This happened on July 1, 1887 and lasted 22 months. All elements of the tower were made at the Eiffel factory in the suburbs of Paris.

Each of the 18,000 parts used in the construction of the tower was specially designed and calculated. Sauvestre drew them down to tenths of a millimeter and then joined them together to form new pieces, each about five meters in size.

All metal The structure of the Eiffel Tower is held together with rivets. During its construction, parts of the structure were first assembled in a factory using bolts, and then replaced one by one with heat-treated rivets, which contracted when cooled and thus ensured a very tight fit.

Each rivet required a team of four to install: one to heat it, another to hold it in place, a third to shape the head, and a fourth to sledgehammer it. Only a third of the 2,500,000 rivets used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower were installed directly on site.

The assembly of the turret was a marvel of precision for the period. Construction work began in January 1887, and the tower was built in 1889 (g) according to the design of Gustave Eiffel.

Construction schedule:

• The construction work took 2 years, 2 months and 5 days.
• The first floor was completed by April 1, 1888.
• The second floor was completed by August 14, 1888.
• Assembly was completed once and for all by March 31, 1889.

A few numbers:

• The Eiffel Tower has 18,038 metal parts.
• 50 engineers and designers worked on the project.
• 150 workers worked on the tower at the Levallois-Perret plant.
• About 150 - 300 workers were at the construction site.
• 2,500,000 rivets installed.
• The structure of the Eiffel Tower has a mass/weight of 7300 tons.
• 60 tons of paint were used.
• 5 elevators installed.

Architectural style

In addition to the fact that the 300-meter famous building is considered the tallest and most significant structure of those times, the architecture of the Eiffel Tower became the harbinger of a new style - constructivism. To be precise, the architectural style of the tower combines elements of both constructivism and modernism of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Constructivism as a style especially took root in the architecture of buildings in the Soviet Union. A distinctive feature of this style is the creation of expressive and functional buildings through shapes, materials and even colors. Also, buildings in a constructive style are distinguished by their scale, and the 300-meter Eiffel Tower is an example of this.

Since its construction, the Eiffel Tower has been surrounded by many events. We will list only the most interesting things about the Eiffel Tower that you won’t find in guidebooks.

• On the tower, Gustave Eiffel engraved 72 names of outstanding mathematicians and engineers who took part in the creation of the tower. They were painted over at the beginning of the 20th century, but restored in 1986-87.

• The Eiffel Tower is famous for the number of people who have jumped off its floors. So, in 1912, inventor and tailor Franz Reichelt decided to test his parachute cape and jumped from the first level of the tower. The flight was unsuccessful; the parachute did not open.
• One of the failed suicides jumped from the Eiffel Tower and fell onto the roof of a car. She and the owner of the car later got married.
• One of the biggest frauds in history is associated with the tower. In 1925, Victor Lustig managed to sell the Eiffel Tower twice for scrap metal and disappeared with the money.
• In many corners of our globe: in Torre del Reformador in Guatemala, in Durango in Mexico City, in Filiatra in Greece, in Copenhagen in Denmark, as well as in the USA and Catia, and many others, there are copies of the Eiffel Tower.

During times of war

During the Second World War, the Eiffel Tower remained the only place in France not conquered by Hitler. There is a photograph in the archives with Adolf Hitler and the Eiffel Tower in the background, but the conqueror was not destined to climb to its top.

This happened thanks to the director of the tower, who, just before Hitler arrived in Paris, cut the cables and securely hid the motors, thereby breaking the Eiffel Tower elevator. Since the world was engulfed in war, it was not possible to repair the elevator until the liberation of Paris. But as soon as Adolf Hitler left France, the elevator at the Eiffel Tower magically started working again.

Floors

Initially, Gustave Eiffel built a tower with a height of 300.65 meters, but over time a new antenna was installed on it and now the height of the Eiffel Tower is 324 meters.

Structurally, this famous building is divided into three levels, each of which is a pyramid. Therefore, it is not entirely correct to talk about how many floors the Eiffel Tower has. After all, each level has its own size and shape.

Thus, the first floor of the Eiffel Tower is a pyramid with four columns, above which there is a platform. The height of the columns is about 58 m, and the platform is 65 m wide.

From this platform, four more columns go up, ending in a platform. This structure forms the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. The height of the columns of the second floor is already 115.73 m, and the platform is 30 m. There is a restaurant and cans of machine oil for the lift.

Just like the previous floors, the third floor of the Eiffel Tower is formed by four columns and a platform, but at a height of 276.13 m. At this level, on a platform 16.5 m wide, there is an observatory, research laboratories and a lighthouse.

Inside

The easiest and most popular way to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower is to take the elevator. However, if you want to save time and money, you can use the steps located inside one of the legs of the tower. Consider your strength before this journey, because 1792 steps lead to the top of the Eiffel Tower. By using the steps, you have every chance to be inside the tower completely alone. Since most tourists prefer the standard scheme for visiting the inside of the Eiffel Tower - taking the elevator.

Inside the first level of the Eiffel Tower there is a large restaurant. On the second level there is the main observation platform. The third tier of the main attraction of Paris can only be reached by elevator. From this elevator, tourists enter a closed two-level capsule - an observation deck. It protects tourists from both wind and falls. There is also a small museum there - a reconstruction of the construction of the tower.

How to get in without queuing?

The fame of the most beautiful and popular structure makes the Eiffel Tower also the most disappointing landmark in the world. And all because of the huge queues of tourists who want to be at its top. However, there are a couple of ways to get to the Eiffel Tower without queuing.

1. Walk up the steps at the far right foot of the Eiffel Tower. By paying half the price of taking the elevator, you will not only get up to this famous landmark without queuing, but you will also burn calories.
2. Use the official website and buy your Paris Celebrity Climb ticket online.
3. Arrive at a time when the queue for the elevator to the Eiffel Tower is minimal. Regarding the time of year, these are November and February. Also, the queue is significantly shorter after 8 pm.

View of Paris

The most photographed, but no less beautiful view of Paris from the Eiffel Tower opens from the second level platform.

On the first level of the tower there are restaurants that allow you to enjoy both gourmet food and a beautiful panorama of Paris. And before Christmas, a free skating rink with an area of ​​200 square meters opens on this level. m. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Paris while riding at an altitude of 60 meters.

If a height of 280 meters is not scary for you, then it is better to climb to the third level of the Eiffel Tower, from which you can see and photograph a stunning view of Paris. After all, a view from above allows you to better understand the city.

Contacts

Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris

Official site: www.toureiffel.paris

Entrance to level 1 and 2: 8 euros for adults, 6.40 - from 12 to 24 years old,
4 - up to 11 years

Entrance to 3 levels: 13 euros for adults, 9.90 - from 12 to 24 years old, 7.50 - for children

Paris is one of the most famous tourist cities in the world, a city with a special, unique charm that is unique to it.

Paris is an amazing city with unique architecture and a huge number of attractions of world significance, including the Gothic, famous by Victor Hugo.

Also the Opera Garnier, where, according to legend, the famous ghost lived, Disneyland - a place of attraction for all children and parents, the Louvre - the largest and most beautiful museum filled with world masterpieces, the Orsay Gallery - the largest repository of works by the Impressionists and the visiting card of Paris - the Eiffel Tower.

Eiffel Tower in Paris - history of creation

The 300 m tall steel Eiffel Tower in Paris was built in 1889 as a temporary structure to serve as the entrance arch to the Paris World's Fair. The year of construction, 1889, was timed to coincide with the opening of an exhibition organized in memory of the centenary of the French Revolution.

Exact height in the tower spire is 324 meters. The Eiffel project stood out from 106 competitors due to its innovative construction techniques, which made it possible to construct a complex tower in just 2 years and with minimal effort. The construction budget was 7.8 million francs, half of which was Eiffel's personal funds. Construction

The tower paid for itself during the period of the exhibition, not to mention the profits that the tower brought in the future and continues to bring now.

In the first time after construction, this symbol of Paris had many opponents. Dissatisfied citizens, including famous writers and composers, united and directed protests against the Eiffel Tower. But nevertheless, this building also gained fans, and not a small number, and instead of being demolished after 20 years of existence, the tower rises in the same place to this day.

Eiffel Tower in Paris today

Today, the Eiffel Tower is the most famous landmark in all of France. I think there is not a single person who has visited Paris and not seen this famous tower. The tower looks especially impressive at night; it is best to first admire it from a distance, and then climb to the observation deck and enjoy the night views of Paris. The height of the tower and its favorable location allow you to see Paris at a glance.

Eiffel Tower consists of 4 levels: lower, 1st, 2nd, 3rd floors.

• Lower level- This is the first place where visitors arrive. Here you can to buy tickets or find out their cost at ticket offices, familiarize yourself with the opening hours and hours of this object on the corresponding information stands. On the lower level there is 4 souvenir shops And Postal office and everyone has the opportunity to buy and send a postcard with an image of this wonder of the world to their loved ones or friends.
• On the 1st floor can see Part spiral staircase , with the help of which it was previously possible to get from the 2nd to the 3rd floor, as well as exhibition posters, photographs and various images of the tower in different years of its existence.
• At 2nd level you can learn something new information about the history of the tower at specialized stands, just like at the first one you can buy souvenirs and most importantly, a wonderful view opens from this floor panorama of Paris.
• To the 3rd floor you need to get there by elevator, which has transparent walls, and already on the way you can enjoy the opening views of Paris, which is the purpose of visiting the tower for many tourists. Recreated on this floor interior of the office of its founder- Eiffel.

On the 1st and 2nd levels there are two restaurants:

• "Height 95"
• and "Jules Verne".

Eiffel Tower - where is it located?

Eiffel Tower built near Paris, which is called that in the 7th arrondissement, on Anatole France street. Exact address: Champ de Maps, 5 av.Anatole France If you get there by metro, then Metro station, on which you need to exit is called Bir Hekeim.

The Eiffel Tower is open every day, in summer opening up at 9 am(from June 15 to September 1), and at other times at 9:30. The elevators between floors and the tower itself close at different times. So elevator to 2nd floor in summer time closes at midnight, at other times at 23:00. Elevator to 3rd floor closed in summer at 23:00, at other times - at 22:30. Stairs to 2nd floor closed in summer at midnight, on other days at 18:00. Herself tower closes at 0:45 in summer and at 23:45 at other times.

The Eiffel Tower has an official website where you can buy tickets online by paying with a credit card and then skip the line to get into the tower. At the same time, it must be remembered that come you need to go to the tower entrance in 10 minutes before the time indicated on the ticket; in case of late arrival, the ticket is considered used.

Eiffel Tower on the map of Paris:

Photos and videos of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Photo: Below you can view photographs of the Eiffel Tower taken by experienced photographers, talented amateurs, as well as photographs of the area taken from a satellite.

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