Eiffel Tower brief information. The Eiffel Tower is the iron lady of Paris. Eiffel Tower

Perhaps, if you conduct a survey among travelers about which attraction is the most recognizable in the world, the winner, without a doubt, will be main symbol Paris - Eiffel Tower.

Eiffel Tower of Paris - world famous landmark of France

Like many unusual attractions, the construction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris was assessed extremely ambiguously by residents. During the period of its construction (late 19th century: 1887-1889), many residents, and especially the intelligentsia of Paris, objected to its construction, arguing that a metal tower towering over the capital of France would disrupt its appearance and would not fit into the architectural ensemble of Paris. Among those who opposed the construction of the Eiffel Tower were Guy de Maupassant and Alexandre Dumas fils (in particular, calling it a “factory chimney”).

It is noteworthy that it was originally planned that the tower would last only twenty years and then be dismantled (there were objections to the construction of the tower even with the authorities promising to dismantle it in 20 years).

However, after the metal monument was built and opened to visitors, it was an incredible success among residents and visitors of Paris. In just the first six months, more than 2 million people visited it. Top hotels Paris began to be located near the Eiffel Tower. This trend in the tourism business of Paris continues in our time - many consider it a great success to book a hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower.

In less than two years, profits from tourists compensated for all costs associated with construction (money was invested in construction by Parisian banks, as well as by the architect Eiffel himself, the designer and creator of this majestic structure).

Therefore, it is not surprising that the life of the tower was extended for seventy years, after which no one would dare to raise the question of dismantling the tower.

The square in front of the Palais de Chaillot with Eiffel Tower, every Parisian tourist must see this!

The cost of entry to the Eiffel Tower depends on several points. If you want to take the elevator to the very top, then you will have to part with the amount of 15 euros, and if you are content with traveling only to the second floor - 9 euros. If you strain yourself and walk up the stairs, the ticket price will become completely unburdensome - only 5 euros. Entrance to the tower floor is every thirty minutes.

Eiffel Tower photo

The Republic of France is one of the most popular and visited countries in the world. In the information article of the "Business Tourism" section we present an overview of the Republic of France: attractions. ★★★★★

Tower in Paris

At the end of the 19th century, it was unheard of for Gustave Alexandre Eiffel to conceive a 300-meter tower made of metal. At that moment it was the most tall building. Many of his contemporaries were against this, as they believed that the “monstrous and useless” iron structure would disfigure the exquisite appearance of the capital. But the country's leadership and authorities wanted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Great French Revolution and the World Exhibition in 1889 dedicated to this event.

Winter. Metal. Class!

Construction has begun. The pits were dug five meters below the level of the Seine, blocks ten meters thick were laid in them, and hydraulic presses were installed into these foundations to precisely adjust the vertical position of the tower. The estimated mass of the tower was 5 thousand tons. At first, Eiffel wanted to decorate his creation with sculptures and decorations installed on platforms, but in the end, all that remained was openwork arches. And at the beginning of the century, the fate of the tower was again under threat, everything was moving towards dismantling. But with the advent of radio, the tower began to perform practical functions, then it “worked” for television, then it began to perform radar functions.

The structure has three different platforms, at heights of 60, 140 and 275 meters, and can be reached by five elevators, which were once hydraulic but have now been electrified. In each “leg” of the tower, elevators will take you to the second platform, and the fifth of them can lift you to a height of all 275 m. Mysterious fact: Eiffel himself designed these elevators, and for fifty years they worked properly until the Nazis entered Paris in 1940. They broke unexpectedly and exactly for the period while the German occupation continued. The entrance to the tower was closed. The enemies never had to look down on the city. No Berlin engineers could fix the mechanisms, but the French technician managed it in half an hour. The tricolor flag once again rose over the city on the Eiffel Tower.

The first platform at the base is more than 4 thousand meters, the second - 1.4 thousand, the third is a small two-story square platform 18x18 meters, one of the floors is open. At the very top there is a small laboratory where Eiffel worked, and above it there is a gallery where the lantern is turned on. After all, the tower's floodlights are a guide for aircraft and ships; it also houses a special weather station that studies atmospheric electricity, environmental pollution and radiation.

Interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower in Paris

In what year was the Eiffel Tower built, the height of the Eiffel Tower and other background information

How long did it take to build the Eiffel Tower?: Construction of the Eiffel Tower begins: January 28, 1887. Construction lasted a little over 2 years and 2 months. Date: completion of construction is considered March 31, 1889.
How old is the Eiffel Tower: in 2014, the symbol of Paris celebrated 125 years. Over the years, any inhabitant of the Earth can no longer imagine France without a light lace tower rushing upward.
How many meters is the Eiffel Tower: tower height 324 m to the tip of the antenna spire. The height of the Eiffel Tower in meters without antenna is 300.64 m.
Which is taller: Eiffel Tower or Statue of Liberty: The height of the Statue of Liberty from the ground to the tip of the torch is 93 meters, including the base and pedestal. The height of the statue itself, from the top of the pedestal to the torch, is 46 meters.
How much does the Eiffel Tower weigh?: Metal structure weight - 7,300 tons (total weight approximately 10,100 tons). The tower is completely made of 18,038 metal parts, for the fastening of which 2.5 million rivets were used
Who built the Eiffel Tower: Gustave Eiffel is the head of the engineering office that won the patent for the design and construction of the tower. The developers and architects of the project were: Maurice Kechelin, Emile Nouguier, Stéphane Sauvestre.

Eiffel Tower (Paris) - detailed description with photos, opening hours and ticket prices, location on the map.

Eiffel Tower (Paris)

The Eiffel Tower is the main landmark of Paris, a real symbol of the capital of France. This huge metal structure, over 320 meters high (exact height 324 meters), was built in 2 years and 2 months in 1889. Named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel who built it. Eiffel himself simply called it a “three hundred meter tower.” Interestingly, the Eiffel Tower was built as a temporary structure for the World Exhibition held in Paris. But not only was it not dismantled, but it also turned into a real symbol of Paris and the most visited paid attraction in the world.

When darkness falls, the Eiffel Tower turns on with beautiful lighting.

Story

For the World Exhibition of 1889, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Great French Revolution, the city authorities wanted to build an architectural structure that would become the pride of France. For this purpose, a competition was established among engineering bureaus. An offer was made to Eiffel to take part in it. Gustave himself had no ideas. He rummaged through old sketches and dug up a design for a high-rise steel tower made by his employee, Maurice Keshlin. The project was finalized and sent to the competition.

From 107 diverse projects, 4 winners were selected. Among them, of course, was the Eiffel project. After changes were made to the project to improve its architectural appeal, it was declared the winner. In January 1887, an agreement was concluded between the Eiffel Bureau and the municipal authorities of Paris for the construction of the tower. At the same time, Eiffel was provided not only with a cash payment, but also with a lease of the tower for 25 years. The agreement provided for the tower to be dismantled after 20 years, but it became so popular that it was decided to preserve it.

More than 5 million people visit the Eiffel Tower every year. Over the entire period of its existence, the tower was visited by more than 250 million people. A colossal number!
The construction cost amounted to 7.5 million francs and was paid off during the exhibition period.
More than 18 thousand metal parts and 2.5 million rivets were used to build the tower.
The weight of the structure is more than 10 thousand tons.
The creative people of Paris reacted negatively to this building, believing that it did not fit into the architecture of the city. They have repeatedly sent petitions to the mayor's office calling for the construction to be stopped or dismantled. For example, one of her famous opponents, Guy de Maupassant, often dined at a restaurant located in the tower. When asked why he eats here so often? He replied that this is the only place in Paris where it (the tower) is not visible.

Eiffel Tower opening hours

The Eiffel Tower's operating hours are as follows:

From 9.00 to 12.00 from June to September.
From 9.00 to 23.00 in other months.

Ticket prices

To the 2nd floor by elevator

Adults - 11 euros.
Youth from 12 to 24 years old - 8.5 euros
Children under 12 years old - 4 euros

To the 2nd floor via stairs

Adults - 7 euros.
Youth from 12 to 24 years old - 5 euros
Children under 12 years old - 3 euros

To the top by elevator

Adults - 17 euros.
Youth from 12 to 24 years old - 14.5 euros
Children under 12 years old - 8 euros

How to get there

RER - line C, Champ de Mars - tour Eiffel
Metro - line 6, Bir-hakeim, line 9, Trocadero.
Bus - 82, 87, 42, 69, tour Eiffel or Champ de Mars

Together with TV antenna height of the Eiffel Tower- 320 m, Eiffel Tower weight- 7000 tons, and the entire structure consists of 15 thousand metal parts. The entire mass rests on a foundation extending to a depth of 7 m and on four colossal pylons secured by huge cement blocks.

The weight of the metal structure is 7,300 tons (total weight 10,100 tons). Today, three towers could be built from this metal at once. The foundation is made of concrete masses. The vibrations of the tower during storms do not exceed 15 cm.

The tower is divided into three levels:

on the first floor, at an altitude of 57 m, there is a bar and a restaurant
on the second, at an altitude of 115 m, there is another bar and restaurant
the third is located at an altitude of 274 m
the last level is 300 m high and contains television equipment and antennas.

You can take the elevator or walk (1,652 steps) to the top, which offers a magnificent view of the entire city.

Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.01.2016 12:21

Throughout its history, it has repeatedly changed its paint color - from yellow to red-brown. In recent decades, the Eiffel Tower has been invariably painted in the so-called “Eiffel brown” - an officially patented color close to the natural shade of bronze.

The Iron Lady resists the ravages of time thanks to 57 tons of paint, which must be renewed every 7 years.

Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.01.2016 12:24

Weight - 7,300 tons (total weight 10,100 tons). Today, three towers could be built from this metal at once. The foundation is made of concrete masses. The vibrations of the Eiffel Tower during storms do not exceed 15 cm.

The lower floor is a pyramid (129.2 m each side at the base), formed by 4 columns connected at a height of 57.63 m by an arched vault; on the vault is the first platform Eiffel Tower. The platform is a square (65 m across).

On this platform rises a second pyramid-tower, also formed by 4 columns connected by a vault, on which there is (at a height of 115.73 m) a second platform (a square 30 m in diameter).

Four columns rising on the second platform come closer together like a pyramid and, gradually intertwining, form a colossal pyramidal column (190 m), carrying a third platform (at a height of 276.13 m), also square in shape (16.5 m in diameter); there is a lighthouse with a dome on it, above which at an altitude of 300 m there is a platform (1.4 m in diameter).

On Eiffel Tower There are stairs (1792 steps) and elevators.

Restaurant halls were erected on the first platform; on the second platform there were tanks with machine oil for the hydraulic lifting machine (elevator) and a restaurant in a glass gallery. The third platform housed the astronomical and meteorological observatories and the physics room. The light of the lighthouse was visible at a distance of 10 km.

The erected tower was stunning with its bold design. Eiffel was severely criticized for the project and at the same time accused of trying to create something artistic and not artistic.

Together with his engineers - specialists in bridge construction, Eiffel was engaged in calculations of wind force, well aware that if they were building the tallest structure in the world, they must first of all make sure that it was resistant to wind loads.

The original agreement with Eiffel was for the tower to be dismantled 20 years after construction. As you might guess, it was never implemented, and moreover, the lease was extended for another 70 years. The story of the Eiffel Tower continues.

Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.01.2016 12:32

Under the first balcony, on all four sides of the parapet, the names of 72 outstanding French scientists and engineers, as well as those who made a special contribution to the creation of Gustav Eiffel, are engraved.

These inscriptions appeared at the beginning of the 20th century and were restored in 1986-1987 by the Société Nouvelle d’exploitation de la Tour Eiffel company, hired by the mayor’s office to operate the Eiffel Tower.

The tower itself is today the property of the city of Paris.

Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.01.2016 12:36

Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.01.2016 12:42

In total, four levels can be distinguished: lower (ground), 1st floor (57 meters), 2nd floor (115 meters) and 3rd floor (276 meters). Each of them is remarkable in its own way.

On the lower level there are ticket offices where you can purchase tickets for Eiffel Tower, an information stand where you can pick up useful brochures and booklets, as well as 4 souvenir shops - one in each column of the tower. In addition, there is a post office in the southern column, so you can send a postcard to your family and friends right from the foot of the famous building. Also, before starting to conquer the Eiffel Tower, you have the option of having a snack at the buffet located right there. From the lower level you can enter the offices where old hydraulic machines are installed, which in the past raised elevators to the top of the tower. They can only be admired as part of excursion groups.

The 1st floor, which can be reached on foot if desired, will delight tourists with another souvenir shop and the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant. However, in addition to this, there is a preserved fragment of a spiral staircase, which at one time led from the second floor to the third, and at the same time to Eiffel’s office. You can learn a lot about the tower by going to the Cineiffel center, where animation dedicated to the history of the structure is shown. Children will certainly be interested in meeting Gus, the hand-drawn mascot of the Eiffel Tower and the character of a special children's guide book. Also on the 1st floor you can admire posters, photographs, and all kinds of illustrations from different times dedicated to the “Iron Lady.”

On the 2nd floor, the first thing that attracts attention is the general panorama of Paris, opening from a 115-meter height. Here you can replenish your supplies of souvenirs, find out a lot about the history of the tower at special stands, and at the same time order yourself a delicious lunch at the Jules Verne restaurant.

The 3rd floor is the main goal of many tourists, in fact the top of the Eiffel Tower, located at an altitude of 276 meters, where elevators lead transparent glasses, so already on the way there there is a stunning view of the French capital. At the top you can treat yourself to a glass of champagne at the Champange bar. Climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris is an experience that will last a lifetime.

General information

Originally conceived as a temporary structure, the Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of France and an object of admiration. However, the history of the creation and construction of the impressive structure was dramatic. For many Parisians, the tower evoked only negative emotions - the townspeople believed that such a tall structure would not fit into the appearance of their beloved capital or would even collapse. But over time, the French came to appreciate the Eiffel Tower and fell in love with it. Today, thousands of people take pictures against the backdrop of the famous landmark; all lovers strive for it to spend unforgettable moments. Every girl who has a date at the Eiffel Tower hopes that it is there, taking all of Paris as a witness, that her beloved will propose marriage to her.

History of the Eiffel Tower

1886 In three years, the World Industrial Exhibition EXPO will begin in Paris. The exhibition organizers announced a competition for a temporary architectural structure that would serve as the entrance to the exhibition and personify the technical revolution of its time, the beginning of grandiose transformations in the life of mankind. The proposed construction had to meet the following requirements - generate income and be easily dismantled. More than 100 competitors took part in the creative competition, which started in May 1886. Some of the designs were quite bizarre - for example, a huge guillotine reminiscent of the revolution, or a tower built entirely of stone. Among the competition participants was engineer and designer Gustave Eiffel, who proposed a project for a 300-meter metal structure that was completely unusual for that time. He drew the very idea of the tower from the drawings of his company’s employees, Maurice Koechlen and Emile Nugier.

Construction of the Eiffel Tower, 1887-1889

It was proposed to make the structure from malleable cast iron, which was the most progressive and economical at that time building material. Eiffel's project was among the four winners. Thanks to some changes made by the engineer to the decorative design of the tower, the competition organizers preferred his “Iron Lady”.

The artistic appearance of the Eiffel Tower was developed by Stéphane Sauvestre. To add more sophistication to the cast-iron structure, the architect proposed adding arches between the supports of the first floor. They symbolized the entrance to the exhibition and made the structure more elegant. In addition, Sauvestre planned to place spacious glazed halls on various floors of the building, and slightly round the top of the tower.

The construction of the tower required 7.8 million francs, but the state allocated only one and a half million to Eiffel. The engineer agreed to contribute the missing amount from his own funds, but in return demanded that the tower be leased to him for 25 years. At the beginning of 1887, the French authorities, the mayor's office of Paris and Eiffel entered into an agreement and construction began.

Old photos of the Eiffel Tower

All 18,000 structural parts were manufactured at Gustave's own factory in the town of Levallois near the French capital. Thanks to carefully verified drawings, work on installing the tower progressed very quickly. The mass of individual elements of the structure did not exceed 3 tons, which greatly facilitated its assembly. At first, tall cranes were used to lift the parts. Then, when the tower became taller than them, Eiffel used small mobile cranes that he had specially designed, moving along elevator rails. After two years, two months and five days, with the efforts of three hundred workers, the construction of the structure was completed.

From 1925 to 1934, the Eiffel Tower was a giant advertising medium

The Eiffel Tower instantly attracted thousands of curious people - in the first six months of the exhibition alone, more than two million people came to admire the new landmark. The appearance of a new huge silhouette against the backdrop of Paris caused fierce controversy in French society. Many representatives of the creative intelligentsia were categorically against the appearance of a tower equal in height to an 80-story building - they feared that the iron structure would destroy the style of the city and suppress its architecture. Critics of Eiffel’s creation called the tower “the tallest lamppost”, “a grill in the form of a bell tower”, “an iron monster” and other unflattering and sometimes offensive epithets.

But, despite the protests and dissatisfaction of a certain part of French citizens, the Eiffel Tower almost completely paid for itself in the first year of operation, and further operation of the structure brought solid dividends to its creator.

Hitler with the Eiffel Tower in the background

By the end of the lease period, it became clear that dismantling the tower could be avoided - by that time it was actively used for telephone and telegraph communications, as well as for placing radio stations. Gustave was able to convince the government and generals of the country that in the event of war, the Eiffel Tower would be indispensable as a radio signal transmitter. At the beginning of 1910, the lease of the tower by its creator was extended for 70 years. During the German occupation in 1940, French patriots broke all the lifting mechanisms to cut off Hitler's path to the top of the tower. Due to non-functioning elevators, the aggressors were unable to plant their flag on the iron Frenchwoman. The Germans even called their specialists from Germany to repair the elevators, but they were unable to get them working.

Gustave Eiffel

With the development of television, the Eiffel Tower becomes in demand as a place to place antennas, of which there are currently several dozen on it.

The designer, who initially used his structure for profit, subsequently transferred the rights to it to the state, and today the tower is the property of the French people.

Eiffel could not imagine that his creation would become a tourist magnet along with other “wonders of the world.” The engineer simply called it a “300-meter tower,” not expecting that it would glorify and perpetuate his name. Today, the openwork metal structure towering over the French capital is recognized as the most photographed and visited landmark in the world.

Replicas of the Eiffel Tower can be found in more than 30 cities: Tokyo, Berlin, Las Vegas, Prague, Hangzhou, London, Sydney, Almaty, Moscow and others.

Description

The base of the Eiffel Tower is a pyramid formed by four pillars. At a height of about 60 meters, the supports are connected by an arch, on which a square ground floor platform with sides of 65 meters is located. From this lower platform rise the next four pillars, forming another vault at a height of 116 meters. Here is the second floor landing, a square half the size of the first. The supports, soaring up from the second platform, gradually connect to form a giant column 190 meters high. On this colossal rod, at an altitude of 276 meters from the ground, there is a third floor - a square platform with sides of 16.5 meters. On the third platform there is a lighthouse, topped with a dome, above which, at a height of three hundred meters, there is a small one and a half meter platform. The height of the Eiffel Tower today is 324 meters thanks to the television antenna installed on it. In addition to television and radio equipment, the building houses cellular communication towers, as well as a unique weather station that records data on atmospheric pollution and background radiation.

At the foot of the Eiffel Tower

At the foot of the Eiffel Tower there are ticket offices and an information desk with free booklets and brochures. There is a souvenir shop in each support of the structure, and in the southern column there is also a post office. There is also a snack bar on the ground level. Here is also the entrance to the premises, where you can see outdated hydraulic lifting mechanisms. But access here is open only to organized excursion groups.

On the ground floor, visitors are greeted by the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant, another souvenir shop and the Cineiffel center, where films about the construction of the Eiffel Tower are shown. Little visitors will be delighted to meet Gus, the tower's mascot and the hero of the guide book. In addition, on the first level there is a fragment of an old spiral staircase leading to the next floors, as well as to the office of Eiffel himself.

Visitors approaching the tower from the north side are greeted by a gilded bust of its creator with a simple inscription: “Eiffel. 1832-1923".

The second level is an observation deck. On this floor there is the Jules Verne restaurant and another souvenir shop. Many interesting details about the construction of the tower can be gleaned from the information stands located on this level. In winter, a small skating rink is installed on the second floor.

The main goal of the overwhelming number of visitors is the third level. Elevators ascend to it, through the windows of which you can admire Paris. On the top floor, those who wish can celebrate their ascent to the tower with champagne at the Champange Bar. A glass of pink or white sparkling drink costs 10-15 €. On the third floor site there can be 800 people at the same time. Previously, on the upper platform there was an observatory and the office of Eiffel himself.

You can climb to the top of the structure by elevator or by stairs consisting of 1,792 steps. The Eiffel Tower is served by 3 elevators, but they are never operational at the same time due to safety reasons and due to constant maintenance of the structure.

During its existence, the tower was both yellow and red-brown. Today, the bronze color of the structure is officially patented and is called “Eiffel brown.” Redecoration of the Eiffel Tower is carried out every 7 years, this process takes one and a half years. Before applying fresh paint old layer removed using high pressure steam. Then the entire structure is carefully inspected, unusable parts are replaced with new ones. After this, the tower is covered with two layers of paint, which requires 57 tons for this procedure. But the color of the tower is not uniform everywhere; it is painted in different shades of bronze - from dark at the base of the structure to lighter at the very top. This method of painting is used to ensure that the structure looks harmonious against the sky. Interestingly, even today paint is applied with brushes.

In the 80s of the last century, the tower was reconstructed - some of the parts were replaced with stronger and lighter ones.

Eiffel designed his creation in such a way that it is not afraid of storms - during the strongest winds, the tower deviates from its axis by a maximum of 12 centimeters. An iron structure is much more susceptible to the sun - iron elements expand so much when heated that the upper part of the tower sometimes deviates sideways by up to 20 centimeters.

Visitors first saw the tower illuminated in 1889, on the opening day of the World Industrial Exhibition. The structure was illuminated by 10,000 gas lamps, two large searchlights and a lighthouse, whose blue, white and red rays symbolized the national colors of the country. In 1900, the tower was equipped with electric light bulbs. In 1925, the owner of the Citroen company placed a grand advertisement on the structure - with the help of 125,000 light bulbs, images of the tower, zodiac constellations and products of the famous French automobile concern appeared on it. This light show lasted 9 years.

In the 21st century, the lighting of the Eiffel Tower has been modernized several times. In 2008, during France's presidency of the EU, the structure was illuminated in blue to represent the European flag. Nowadays the lighting of the tower is golden. It turns on for 10 minutes at the beginning of every hour, in the dark.

In 2015, the tower's electric bulbs were replaced with LED ones to save energy and financial costs. In addition, thermal panels, two windmills and a rainwater collection system were placed on the structure.

Views from the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is the emblem of Paris and a high-altitude antenna.
There can be 10,000 people on the tower at the same time.
The project was drawn up by the architect Stéphane Sauvestre, but the tower was built by the engineer Gustave Eiffel (1823-1923), better known to the public. Other works by Eiffel: Ponte de Dona Maria Pia, Viaduct de Gharabi, iron frame for the New York Statue of Liberty.
Since the tower appeared, about 250 million people have visited it.
The weight of the metal part of the structure is 7,300 tons, and the weight of the entire tower is 10,100 tons.
In 1925, the rogue Victor Lustig managed to sell the iron structure for scrap, and he was able to pull off this trick twice!
In good weather, from the top of the tower, Paris and its surroundings can be viewed within a radius of up to 70 kilometers. It is believed that the optimal time to visit the Eiffel Tower, providing the best visibility, is an hour before sunset.
The tower also holds a sad record - about 400 people committed suicide by throwing themselves down from its upper platform. In 2009, the terrace was fenced with protective barriers and now this place is very popular with romantic couples kissing in front of the whole of Paris.

Champ de Mars Paris Statue of Liberty and Eiffel Tower

Tower address: Champ de Mars (Field of Mars). Metro stations: Bir Hakeim (line 6), Trocadero (line 9).

The bus numbers running to the tower are: 42, 69, 72, 82 and 87.

Operating mode. From June 15 to September 1 - opening at 09.00. The elevator to the 2nd floor stops operating at midnight; ascent to the 3rd floor (top) is carried out until 23.00; the stairs to the 2nd floor close at 00.00; the entire tower is accessible until 00.45.

From September 2 to June 14, the Eiffel Tower welcomes visitors from 09.30. The elevator to the 2nd floor is open until 23.00; the elevator takes guests to the top until 22.30; the stairs to the 2nd floor are open until 18.00; the entire tower is open until 23.45.

During the spring and Easter holidays, access to the tower is open until midnight.

Sometimes the climb to the top of the tower is temporarily suspended - due to dangerous weather conditions or too large quantity visitors on it.

Entrance ticket prices. Until September 1: elevator to the 2nd floor - 9 € (for adults), 7 € (for visitors from 12 to 24 years old), 4.5 € (for children from 4 to 11 years old). Elevator to the top - 15.50 € (for adults), 13.50 € (for visitors from 12 to 24 years old), 11 € (for children from 4 to 11 years old). Stairs to the 2nd floor - 5 € (for adults), 4 € (for visitors from 12 to 24 years old), 3.50 € (for children from 4 to 11 years old).

After September 1: elevator to the 2nd floor - 11 € (for adults), 8.50 € (for visitors from 12 to 24 years old), 4 € (for children from 4 to 11 years old). Elevator to the top - 17 € (for adults), 14.50 € (for visitors from 12 to 24 years old), 10 € (for children from 4 to 11 years old). Stairs to the 2nd floor - 7 € (for adults), 5 € (for visitors from 12 to 24 years old), 3 € (for children from 4 to 11 years old).

Visitors with disabilities can access the second floor of the Eiffel Tower using an elevator.

In order to quickly get to the first and second platforms of the tower, it is better to use the stairs on the south side, since the elevators almost always have long queues.

If you want to get to the top of the Iron Lady without the queue, then you should buy electronic tickets in advance on the official website of the tower - www.tour-eiffel.fr. The ticket must be printed and paid for using credit card. You need to approach the tower 10-15 minutes before the time indicated on the ticket, avoiding the queue. Those who are more than half an hour late for sightseeing will not be allowed in; in this case, tickets will be cancelled. You need to worry about pre-purchasing tickets as early as possible, since their sale for a specific day begins 3 months in advance at 08.30 Paris time, and there are a lot of people who want to get to the tower without a queue.

A table at the Jules Verne restaurant needs to be booked several months in advance; the average check for lunch at an altitude of 175 meters is 300 €.

The most grandiose, famous, shocking building in Paris is, of course, the Eiffel Tower. Since its appearance in 1889 as an arch for the World Exhibition dedicated to the storming of the Bastille, it has been the center of attention to this day. She was also recognized an important link French economy and a valuable asset to Europe.

The history of the tower!

Although the engineer Gustave Eiffel proposed dismantling the tower after the twenty-year period of its construction, as we see, it continues to rise majestically on the Champs de Mars to this day.

Book a table at a restaurant at the Eiffel Tower

The most interesting thing is that the idea of the design did not belong to Eiffel, but to Maurice Koechlin, his colleague in the engineering bureau. It was in Maurice's old drawings that the leading engineer found the sketch of the tower that interested him.

Together with other employees, Eiffel refines the idea, files a joint patent, sends the drawings to the competition, and wins. Subsequently, he buys the ownership rights and becomes their sole owner.

The amazing fact is that while working on the construction scheme, the research of Hermann von Mayer, a Swiss professor of paleontology of the 19th century, was taken as a basis. He studied the structure of the femur, namely its head at the point of bending and joining the joint at an angle.

He concluded that thanks to the many small processes of strict geometric shape with which it is covered, the weight of the body is distributed evenly, preventing fractures.

It was these studies by Mayer that, 20 years later, inspired the designers of the famous tower to give it such a stable shape. Even with a strong wind, the top deviates by only 12 cm, and if it is hot in the sun - by 18 cm due to the expansion of the metal.

Working on the image

The original appearance of the steel lady was purely an example of the technological progress of its time, and looked too conservative. To win the competition, it was necessary to refine the design with decorative elements and make it more refined.

Gustave made a proposal to decorate the tower supports with stone, make the arches a connecting link between the supports and the lower floor, and also turn them into the main entrance to the exhibition. The levels also had to be transformed and become functional thanks to the glazed halls, and the top had to take on a rounded shape along with other decorations.

When the scheme acquired all these innovations, the jury approved Eiffel's plan, and he received the green light for construction. Feeling a surge of enthusiasm after his first victory, he exclaimed that France would now become the only owner in the world of a 300-meter flagpole.

To be or not to be - the opinion of bohemians

The delight, however, was not shared by the creative elite, who considered the future structure offensive to the eye. The city mayor's office has repeatedly received letters demanding that they not allow the construction of such a monstrous structure, claiming that the Eiffel Tower in Paris will become huge mistake, a repulsive spot hanging over the city and not compatible with other architecture.

About three hundred painters, architects, musicians and writers drew up a protest, sending it to the city authorities, where in colorful expressions they convinced the commission to come to their senses: “For 20 years we will be forced to look at the disgusting shadow of the hated column of iron and screws, stretching over the city like an ink blot".

The petition was signed by Charles Gounod, Dumas fils, and the famous short story writer Guy de Maupassant. However, Maupassant subsequently visited the restaurant, which is now called Jules Verne, several times. When the novelist was asked why he came there if he disliked the Eiffel Tower so much, he said that there was no longer a place in Paris from which this damn thing could not be seen.

However, not everyone was so ardently opposed to her. It made a completely different impression on Thomas Edison, and in the guest book he wrote a greeting to its creator.

Construction details: numbers and facts

It all started in 1887 on January 28, and the last day to complete construction was December 31, 1889. For such a colossal project, this was a record time, considering that the height of the Eiffel Tower was 300 meters.

Tower construction!

There was no technology capable of lifting parts weighing up to 3 tons to this height, and therefore Eiffel had to additionally invent special mobile cranes. Also, to speed up the work, most of the elements were made in advance, and holes were drilled in them, into which connecting rivets were installed.

Eiffel demonstrated unique precision in drawing up drawings. There were 1,700 general ones and 3,629 detailed ones, and their accuracy was 0.1 mm (3D printers print with such precision today). This is comparable to jewelry work or magic, worthy of admiration, especially in our age of high technology.

Inner world

Once in Paris, it is difficult to avoid the temptation to look at the city of love from the height of the most famous Parisian woman. On the initial two platforms, which are located at the peaks of 57.63 and 115.73 m; you can visit restaurants, drink a glass of sparkling wine or order lunch.

On the third level, located at 276.13 m, visitors will find a bar and an astronomical and meteorological observatory. The tower is crowned by a lighthouse with a dome, the light of which reaches 10 km.

Rising to the 3rd level

There are 1,792 steps leading up to the top, but you are unlikely to want to make such a serious climb, especially since back in 1899 two Fives-Lill elevators were built for this purpose, and passengers, having risen to the 175 m mark, moved to another cabin .

Elevator to the 2nd floor

The first machines ran on hydraulic pumps, but since their use was impossible in winter, Otis electric motors replaced them in 1983, and the hydraulics are shown as an exhibit to tourists.

Gustave Eiffel Apartment

At the very top there is another room - an apartment that was built especially for Eiffel. Although the square is quite spacious, it is furnished simply, but with the taste of a man of the 19th century. It has separate rooms, furniture, carpets, and even a piano - a must-have item for the elite of that time.

When the apartment became known in the city, there were people who wanted to buy it or at least spend the night there, offering substantial sums, but Eiffel always refused such offers.

While in Paris, the engineer often arranged meetings with the rich and famous people. Edison also visited, and for ten hours the pair of inventors, over cognac and cigars, found many fascinating topics for discussion, including the phonograph, the latest invention of the famous American.

In captivity, but with his head held high

Eiffel Tower, 1940 – the lift mechanism suddenly breaks down. This trouble happened just before the arrival of Adolf Hitler. Since the war was going on, there was nowhere to get new parts for it, and the Fuhrer could only trample at the feet of the obstinate Parisian woman. On this occasion, the poets did not miss the opportunity to say: “Hitler conquered France, but could not conquer the Eiffel Tower.”

Hitler planned to transmit radio signals from the lighthouse to his military units and broadcast propaganda in Paris, but he was especially excited by the idea that the flag flying on the spire of the top would be clearly visible in all corners of the city.

At the end of the summer of 1944, Hitler, annoyed that he was unable to climb to the top, gives Colonel General Dietrich von Choltitz the order to destroy the unsubdued proud mountain along with the rest of the sights of Paris.

However, the order was never carried out, and when the occupiers left the city, the elevators, which had stopped for several years, started working again after a couple of hours, and the news about this was broadcast by radio from the tower.

The height of the Eiffel Tower!

For 40 years, the Eiffel Tower had no competitors in height in the whole world, and only in 1930 it lost the palm to the Chrysler Building in New York. Today its height reaches 324 m due to the antenna installed in 2010.

Height

In reality and in the photo, the tower looks slender, sophisticated, and charmingly beautiful. Like a true Frenchwoman, she loves to radically change her image from time to time, and has already tried on several outfits. She was painted in different colors, which ranged from yellow to reddish brown.

Now a unique “brown-Eiffel” tone, closest to a bronze hue, has been developed and patented especially for it. Every 7 years it is repainted to protect the metal from corrosion, and old parts are also replaced with new ones made of a lighter but more durable alloy.

Night beauty

The Iron Lady also loves to shine, and at the time of her premiere in 1889 she sparkled with tens of thousands of gas lamps, a pair of searchlights and a lighthouse, the rays of which were the colors of three shades of the national flag. Just a year later, electric lights sparkled on it, and in 1925 it became the most ambitious advertising platform for Andre Citroen.

The advertisement was called: “The Tower is on Fire,” and thanks to 125 new light bulbs, the silhouette first lit up, then it was replaced by a shower of stars, which smoothly turned into the flight of comets and zodiac symbols, followed by the year of birth of the tower, the current year, and finally the surname appeared Citroen. Advertising ran until 1934.

The Parisian fashionista received her golden dress on the last day of 1985, and in 2003, silver lights were added to this noble shine. This required 4.6 million €, 20 thousand light bulbs, 40 km of wires, 30 people and several months of work. The tower wore another memorable outfit from the beginning of July to the end of December 2008, which looked like the flag of Europe - a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background.

The brainchild of Gustave Eiffel remains a beautiful wonder of the world today. A copy of the Eiffel Tower stands in many cities: Copenhagen, Las Vegas, Varna, the Chinese city of Guangzhou, and Aktau in Kazakhstan.

Exact copy in Las Vegas

In the first 12 months of its existence, it fully recouped its construction costs thanks to visitors, and remains the most popular, most visited attraction. Millions of people come on dates with her every year, and by 2002 this number exceeded 200 million.

Observation deck

City of dreams and champagne bubbles

To maximize your time in the company of the Eiffel Tower, tour and restaurant tickets can be booked in advance. Several buffets, a bar and a couple of cozy restaurants will allow you to enjoy delicious dishes, drinks and views of Paris.

On the ground floor you can visit the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant, eat a sandwich, fries, croissant, drink juice or coffee, paying only 18 € for lunch. In the evening there are several main courses and desserts to choose from, but the price also increases to 82 € per person.
At the same level there are also regular buffets, where a glass of juice and a slice of pizza will not exceed 7-8 €.

Restaurant "Jules Verne"

But, if, once you find yourself in the most romantic place on earth, you do not intend to skimp on pleasures, then visit the luxurious restaurant “Le Jules Verne” on the second level. Lunch here will cost at least 85 € per person, and dinner with lobster – at least 200 €.

View from the tower at night

Paris at night from the observation deck

Eiffel Tower on the map

However, you can have fun without visiting such expensive establishments. Having risen to the third level, in the Champagne Bar, take a glass of champagne, take a bird's eye view of Paris, and feel the exclusivity of this moment.