About my favourite monument

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic monuments in the entire world. It was built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, which was to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the French Revolution. The tower is 330 metres (1,083 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building, and the tallest structure in Paris. It held the title of tallest man-made structure in the world for 41 years until 1930 when the Chrysler Building in New York was built. The construction of the Eiffel Tower took around 22 months to complete, a remarkable feat for the time, when workers had far fewer machines and tools we rely on today. Miraculously, given how high workers had to climb, no one was killed or hurt during the tower's construction. Gustave used a particular type of iron for the tower called "Puddle Iron", derived from the Pomfey Forges in the East of France. The name of the iron comes from the refining or 'puddling' process the metal goes through, which eliminates excess carbon after melting the ore. Gustave argued this type of iron was the strongest and the most robust building material in the world.

The Eiffel Tower has three floors in total, all of which are open to visitors. The first two floors are accessible by stairs and an elevator, while the top level, or summit, must be climbed by steps. The first two floors feature restaurants and cafes, while on each level three is an observational deck for looking out into the city of Paris from on high. The tower was built with intent of showing off France's industrial prowess during the World's Fair, but the plan was to tear it down after 20 years. However, Gustave cleverly put a radio antenna and wireless telegraph transmitter in the tower. After proving the radio's usefulness to the government in 1910, Gustave was granted a 70-year extension to his lease. By 1980, the tower had become an indelible symbol of both Paris and France, and it was no longer in danger of demolition.

Book a Ticket

For more information on how you can make that one of a kind trip to the most iconic monument in the world, please visit the OFFICIAL Eiffel Tower website to buy a ticket. From the esplanade to the summit you will experience a whole series of emotions. Soak in the breathtakingly unique views of Paris from every floor, feel the goose bumps as you walk the glass floor on the 1st floor, experience the incredible ascent by stairway or lift, the indescribable awe at the tonnes of iron above you as you stand on the esplanade. Vertigo grips you as you leave the lift at the top of the tower and see the people down on the Champs-de-Mars and the cars driving along Trocadéro! And the Eiffel Tower always has something to offer, day or night, summer or winter!