Eiffel Tower is a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognisable structures in the world. Today the tower welcomes almost 7 million people a year, making it the most visited paid-for monument in the world. Since its opening, almost 250 million people have visited the tower.
In 1889, Paris hosted an Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) to mark the 100-year anniversary of the French Revolution. Millions of visitors during and after the World’s Fair marveled at Paris’ newly erected architectural wonder. Not all of the city’s inhabitants were as enthusiastic, however: Many Parisians either feared it was structurally unsound or considered it an eyesore.
Originally intended as a temporary exhibit, the Eiffel Tower was almost torn down and scrapped in 1909. City officials opted to save it after recognizing its value as a radiotelegraph station. Several years later, during World War I, the Eiffel Tower intercepted enemy radio communications, relayed zeppelin alerts and was used to dispatch emergency troop reinforcements. It escaped destruction a second time during World War II.
Alexandre Gustave Eiffel was a French civil engineer and architect. Gustave Eiffel, the engineer and architect behind the tower, was also involved in a disastrous attempt by the French to build a canal in Panama, and his reputation was badly damaged by the failure of the venture. Eiffel also designed interior elements of the Statue of Liberty.
Gustave Eiffel kept a small apartment of the third floor for entertaining friends. It is now open to the public.
There are two ways to get to the top of Eiffel Tower, stairs and elevators. However, if you go up the stairs, you can only go up to the second floor. You can pay the elevator fee from the second floor to the top floor to visit the last floor.
Reduced Rates: 8€
12-24 Years old: 14,50€
Adults:17€
The Eiffel Tower also has the most breathtaking tables of Paris to offer its visitors: where a feast is accompanied with the panoramic view of the Paris city.
58 Tour Eiffel and Le Jules Verne are the two restaurants along with a snack and macaroon bar on the Tower have a complete range of food to offer, from a simple snack to the finest French cuisine. You can also the view with a glass of rose or white wine courtesy of the champagne bar on top.
Go to the Eiffel Tower official site via the link above, click on the France Flag button to change the language to English. Click on Tickets on the right -> Online Tickets -> Tickets For Individuals, you will see a setup page to purchase your tickets. You can also book tickets according to the floors you want to reach on the Eiffel tower. Finally, after checking the date and the number of people, click on Confirm.
If you find that there are no bookings available, you can go straight to the Eiffel Tower and wait 30 minutes to an hour to get your tickets. You can book the Eiffel Tower tickets about 2 months in advance in order to avoid long lines.
Have a Glimpse at the view from the iconic Eiffel Tower.
The subway line 6 passes through the Viachem Bridge, which is often chosen for the best view of the Eiffel Tower.
This bridge is also famous as the location of the critical mirror scene in the movie Inception.
The Eiffel Tower has also inspired more than 30 replicas and similar structures in various cities around the world but none would be able to recreate the charm of this marvel.
The Eiffel tower is open every single day of the year!
From mid-June to early September: 9:00 am to 12:45 am
The rest of the year: 9:30 am to 11:45 pm
Last lift is 45 minutes before closing time.
Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris
Access: RER C line Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel station, line 6 or 9, Trocadero station, line 6 Bir-Hakeim station
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9:00 - 23:00 / Summer until midnight in peak season
Author - Mili Nair
Photo's - Han Jae Un