Eiffel Tower | Paris

Information

Landmark: Eiffel Tower
City: Paris
Country: France
Continent: Europe

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France, Europe

The Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel) is a wrought-iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. It is the most recognized symbol of France and one of the most visited paid monuments in the world.

Visual Characteristics

The tower stands 330 meters (1,083 feet) tall, including its antennas. It is composed of 18,038 metallic parts joined by 2.5 million rivets. The structure features three accessible levels: the first two house restaurants and shops, while the third is the highest observation deck accessible to the public in the European Union. The tower is painted in "Eiffel Tower Brown" to harmonize with the city's limestone buildings.

Location & Access Logistics

The tower is situated at Avenue Gustave Eiffel. It is accessible via the Paris Métro at stations Bir-Hakeim (Line 6), Trocadéro (Lines 6 and 9), and École Militaire (Line 8), or the RER C at Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel. Private vehicle access is restricted immediately around the structure; the nearest parking is at the Pullman Tour Eiffel or the Quai Branly Museum.

Historical Origin

Designed by engineers Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, and built by Gustave Eiffel’s company, the tower was the centerpiece of the 1889 World's Fair (Exposition Universelle) marking the centennial of the French Revolution. Originally intended to stand for only 20 years, it was saved by its utility as a massive radiotelegraph antenna. It remained the world's tallest man-made structure until the completion of the Chrysler Building in 1930.

Key Highlights & Activities

Ascending to the summit via glass-walled elevators provides a 360-degree view of the Parisian skyline. The first floor features a glass floor 57 meters above the ground. The tower hosts high-end dining at Le Jules Verne (second floor) and a champagne bar at the summit. Every evening, the tower is illuminated by 20,000 lightbulbs that sparkle for five minutes on the hour.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The monument is equipped with elevators and stairs (1,665 steps to the top, though public stair access ends at the second floor). It includes visitor centers, official boutiques, and public restrooms on all levels. 5G and 4G mobile signals are robust. The ground-level esplanade is secured by a glass perimeter and requires security screening for entry. Accessibility for mobility-impaired visitors is provided via specific elevators to the first and second levels.

Best Time to Visit

To minimize wait times, booking tickets online several months in advance is mandatory. The first morning slot (09:30) or late evening (after 21:00) offers the fewest crowds. For photography, the Trocadéro Gardens (across the Seine) and the Champ de Mars offer the most iconic unobstructed views.

Facts & Legends

A common historical fact is that many of Paris's leading artists and intellectuals, including Guy de Maupassant, initially protested against the tower, calling it a "giant black smokestack." Legend states that Maupassant ate lunch at the tower's restaurant every day because it was the only place in Paris where he didn't have to see the structure.