Travelling

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the Eiffel Tower, the iconic Parisian landmark that has captured the imagination of millions around the world. In this article, we will take you on a journey to uncover the secrets of the Eiffel Tower, from its history to the engineering marvels that make it stand tall today.

The History of Eiffel Tower

The idea of a grand tower in Paris was first proposed by Maurice Koechlin, a French engineer who had a vision of a tower that would be the entrance arch for the 1889 Universal Exhibition. Together with fellow engineer Emile Nouguier, Koechlin submitted a design for the tower to the French government.

The winning design was chosen from over 100 entries. It was created by Gustave Eiffel, a renowned French engineer who had previously designed bridges and viaducts. Eiffel’s design called for a tower that would be 300 metres (1,000 feet) tall and made of wrought iron. If you think the Tower is always the same height, you are wrong: in the heat of summer, the steel expands and the top slides 15 to 30 centimetres higher. The official height of the Eiffel Tower, including the antennae, is 324 metres.

Construction of the tower began in January 1887 and was completed in just over two years. The tower was officially inaugurated on 31 March 1889 and immediately became a sensation, attracting thousands of visitors every day.

Construction and Design of Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is 324 metres tall and over 10,000 tonnes in weight. It is made of wrought iron and was built using innovative engineering techniques that were ahead of their time. The tower has three levels. The first two are accessible by stairs or lifts, and the third is only accessible by lift. The design of the tower is inspired by the principles of aerodynamics and the intricate lattice structure of the tower is both beautiful and functional.

Eiffel Tower Brown

“Eiffel Tower Brown” is the name of the special khaki color used for the Paris landmark. The patented, highly durable paint is manufactured by the German chemical company Lanxess and mixed by the Norwegian paint manufacturer Jotun. The Eiffel Tower is completely repainted by hand about every seven years. The process takes more than a year. In order to create an optically uniform image, the paint is applied in three shades. The color is darkest at the base of the tower. It becomes lighter towards the top. This makes the tower appear even taller. However, it has not always been painted in a shade of brown – before 1968, a yellow-orange color was also in vogue. The amount of paint has remained the same, and a full coat of paint requires the application of 60 tonnes of paint.

Mini Apartment in the Eiffel Tower

Opened in 1889, the Eiffel Tower could hide a secret for a long time: at the very top of the monumental structure was a small apartment. Engineer Gustave Eiffel had fitted it out as a retreat and only allowed access to an illustrious circle of visitors, including the inventor Thomas Edison.

The rooms, furnished with fine wooden furniture, paisley wallpaper and a piano, are 285 metres above the ground. There was even an experimental section where the father of the Tower kept the most advanced measuring instruments of the day.

The Eiffel Tower Sold

In 1925, Victor Lustig made headlines around the world when he sold the Eiffel Tower. The fact that the iconic structure had been in Paris since 1889 was a remarkable achievement in itself, but so was the fact that Lustig had a buyer in mind. But what made it even more remarkable was that Lustig managed to convince someone to buy it.

The sale of the Eiffel Tower has become a legendary story and is still talked about today as a reminder of how powerful human ingenuity can be. It also serves as a reminder that just about anything can be sold if you have the creativity and determination to make it happen.

The Raising of the Nazi flag on the Eiffel Tower

To reinforce their power and control, the Nazis decided to fly their flag from the top of the Eiffel Tower. On 14 June 1940, during the Second World War the swastika flag was hoisted to the top of the tower. It remained there for four years. Seeing the Nazi flag on the Eiffel Tower shocked the French people, who had always considered the Tower to be a symbol of their country’s freedom and independence. Many were outraged and protested against the installation of the flag. However, their protests were met with violence and repression by the Nazis.

Is Eiffel Tower a Wonder of the World?

The Eiffel Tower is not officially recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. However, it is widely recognised as one of the world’s most recognisable and iconic landmarks, attracting millions of visitors every year. It is also regarded as a symbol of engineering and architectural innovation, which is why the Eiffel Tower has become a popular tourist attraction and cultural icon.

The Eiffel Tower Today

Today, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, with millions of visitors every year. It is also one of France’s major cultural and historical landmarks, having come to symbolise Paris. Over the years, the tower underwent a number of refurbishments, including new lifts, lighting and security equipment.