The Eiffel Tower has merged into the urban landscape of Paris for hundreds of years and has become its symbol. But it is also not only the property of all of France, but also a monument to the great technical achievements of the late 19th century.

Who built the Eiffel Tower?

Since the second half of the 19th century, progress has urged many countries of the world to build high-rise structures. Many of the projects failed at the concept stage, but there were those engineers who firmly believed in the success of their ideas. Gustave Eiffel belonged to the latter.

Gustave Eiffel

By the centenary of the industrial revolution in 1886, Paris opens a competition for the creation of new outstanding achievements of our time. According to its plan, this event was to become one of the most outstanding events of its time. In the course of this idea, the Palace of Machines made of metal and glass, destroyed at the beginning of the 20th century, and the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, 1000 feet high, were born.

Project work eiffel tower started back in 1884. By the way, Eiffel was not a novice in his field, before that he brilliantly managed to find solutions in the field of building railway bridges. For the design competition, he submitted about 5000 sheets of drawings of the details of the tower in the original scale. The project was approved, but this was only the beginning of hard work. Before the Eiffel forever perpetuates his name in history, there were still 3 years left.

Construction of the Eiffel Tower

Many famous residents did not accept the construction of the tower in the middle of the city. Writers, artists, sculptors, architects protested against this construction, which, in their opinion, violates the original beauty of Paris.

But, nevertheless, the work continued. A huge 5-meter pit was dug, in which four 10-meter blocks were installed under each leg of the tower. Additionally, each of the 16 legs of the tower was supplied with hydraulic jacks to obtain an ideal horizontal level. Without this plan, the construction of the tower could have dragged on forever.

July 1888

250 workers were able to erect the tallest tower of their time in the world in just 26 months. Here it is only worth once again envying the Eiffel's capabilities in the field of accurate calculations and organization of work. The height of the Eiffel Tower is 320 meters, the total weight is about 7500 tons.

The tower is divided into three tiers - 60 meters, 140 meters and 275 meters. Four elevators inside the legs of the tower take visitors up to the second. The fifth elevator goes to the third level. There is a restaurant on the first floor, a newspaper office on the second, and Eiffel's office on the third.

Despite early criticism, the tower organically blended into the views of the city and quickly became a symbol of Paris. Only during the exhibition, about two million people visited here, some of whom immediately climbed to the very top on foot.

With the end of the exhibition, the tower was decided to be demolished. Salvation for her was new technology - radio. Antennas were quickly installed on the tallest building. In subsequent years, television and radar service antennas were installed on it. There is also a weather station and broadcasting of city services.

Until the construction of the Empire State Building in 1931, the tower remained the tallest building in the world. It is hard to imagine the city of Paris without this glorious image.

- a metal 300-meter tower, which is located in the center of Paris. The most famous French and world landmark, which, only by the will of circumstances, was not dismantled, as it was intended during its construction.

The fate of the Eiffel Tower is quite interesting. Its construction was completed in 1889, the year France hosted the World Exhibition, and the tower was the winner of the competition for projects that were to determine appearance exhibition complex and decorate it. According to the original plan, 20 years after the exhibition, this metal structure was to be dismantled, since it did not fit into the architectural appearance of the French capital and was not conceived as a permanent building, the development of the radio saved the most popular attraction in the world.

Facts about the Eiffel Tower

• The height of the tower is 300.65 meters to the roof, 324.82 meters to the end of the spire;
• Weight - 7300 tons tower and 10000 tons of the whole building;
• Year of construction - 1889;
• Construction time - 2 years 2 months and 5 days;
• Creator - bridge engineer Gustave Eiffel;
• Number of steps - 1792 to the lighthouse, 1710 to the platform of the 3rd level;
• The number of visitors is more than 6 million per year;

About the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel tower height

The exact height of the tower is 300.65 meters. This is exactly what Eiffel conceived it to be, who even gave it the simplest name: “three-meter tower” or simply “three hundred meters”, “tour de 300 mètres” in French.

But after the construction, a spire-antenna was installed on the tower and now its total height from the base to the end of the spire is 324.82 meters.

At the same time, the third and last floor is located at a height of 276 meters, which is the maximum available to ordinary visitors.

The Eiffel Tower looks like an unusual pyramid. Four columns rest on a concrete foundation, and as they rise they intertwine into a single square column.

At a height of 57.64 meters, the four columns are connected for the first time by the first square platform, a 4,415-square-meter floor capable of accommodating 3,000 people. The platform lies on an arched vault, which largely forms the recognizable appearance of the tower and which served as a kind of gateway to the World Exhibition.

Starting from the platform of the second floor, the four columns of the tower are intertwined into a single structure. On it, at a height of 276.1 meters, the third and last floor is located, its area is not as small as it might seem - 250 square meters, which allows you to receive 400 people at the same time.

But above the third floor of the tower, at a height of 295 meters, there is a lighthouse, now it is controlled by software. The tower is crowned with a spire, which was added later and which was modified several times. It acts as a flagpole and holder for various antennas, radio and television.

Eiffel Tower construction

The main material of the tower is pudding steel. The weight of the tower itself is approximately 7,300 tons, and the entire structure with the foundation and auxiliary structures weighs 10,000 tons. In total, 18,038 individual parts were used in the construction, which were held together with 2.5 million rivets. At the same time, each of the details of the tower weighed no more than three tons, which removed most of the problems with their lifting and installation.

During the construction, many fairly innovative engineering methods were used, which its creator, Gustave Eiffel, learned from his experience in bridge building. The tower was built in just 2 years by 300 workers, and thanks to the high level of safety and design that simplified assembly, only one person died during the construction.

The high speed of work was achieved, firstly, by the very detailed drawings that were created by the engineers of the Eiffel bureau, and, secondly, by the fact that all parts of the tower were delivered to the construction site ready for use. There was no need to drill holes in the various elements, adjust them to each other, and 2/3 of the rivets were already in place. So the workers could only assemble the tower as a constructor, using ready-made detailed drawings.

Eiffel tower color

The question of the color of the Eiffel Tower is also interesting. Now the Eiffel Tower is painted in the patented color "Eiffel Tower Brown", which imitates the color of bronze. But at different times, it changed its color and was both orange and burgundy, until the current color was approved in 1968.

On average, the tower is repainted every seven years, with the last painting taking place in 2009-2010, on the landmark's 120th anniversary. All work was carried out by 25 painters. Old paint is removed with steam, which is fed under high pressure. At the same time, an external inspection of structural elements is carried out, worn ones are replaced. Then paint is applied to the tower, which requires approximately 60 tons, including 10 tons of soil and the paint itself, which is applied in two layers. An interesting fact: the tower has different shades at the bottom and at the top, so that the color is uniform for the human eye.

But the main function of paint is not decorative, but purely practical. It protects the iron tower from corrosion and environmental influences.

Reliability of the Eiffel Tower

Of course, for a building of this size big influence exerts wind and others weather conditions. At the time of its construction, many people believed that engineering aspects were not taken into account in the design, and an information campaign was even raised against Gustave Eiffel. But the experienced bridge builder was well aware of the possible risks and created a completely stable structure with recognizable twisted columns.

As a result, the tower resists the wind very effectively, the average deviation from the axis is 6–8 centimeters, even a hurricane wind deflects the tower's spire by no more than 15 centimeters.

But a metal tower is greatly influenced by sunlight. The side of the tower facing the sun heats up and, due to thermal expansion, the top can deviate even by 18 centimeters, much more than under the influence of a strong wind.

Tower lighting

Another important element of the Eiffel Tower is its illumination. Already during the creation, it was clear that such a grandiose object needed to be illuminated, therefore 10,000 gas lamps and searchlights were installed on the tower, which shone into the sky with the colors of the French tricolor. In 1900, electric lamps began to illuminate the contours of the tower.

In 1925, a huge advertisement appeared on the tower, bought by André Citroën. Initially, on three sides of the tower there was a vertically written surname and the name of the Citroen concern, which was visible for 40 kilometers around. Then it was slightly modernized by adding a clock and pointers. This lighting was dismantled in 1934.

In 1937, the Eiffel Tower began to be illuminated with light beams, and modern lighting based on gas discharge lamps was installed in 1986. Then the lighting was changed and modified several more times, for example, in 2008 the tower was illuminated with stars in the shape of the EU flag.

The last upgrade of the backlight was carried out in 2015, the lamps were replaced with LEDs in order to save energy. In parallel, work was carried out to install thermal panels, two windmills, a system for collecting and using rainwater.

In addition, the Eiffel Tower is used to launch fireworks during various holidays - on New Year, on Bastille Day, etc.

An interesting fact: the image of the Eiffel Tower is public property and can be used freely, but the image and appearance of the tower with the lights on is copyrighted by the management company and can only be used with their permission.

Floors of the Eiffel Tower

As already mentioned, the Eiffel Tower has three levels, not counting the area with the lighthouse, which can only be accessed by workers and the squares at the base. Each floor is not just an observation deck, there are souvenir shops, restaurants, and other objects, so each level of the Eiffel Tower should be mentioned separately.

As already mentioned, it is located at an altitude of 57 meters from ground level. Most recently, this level of the tower underwent a renovation, during which individual elements on the floor were updated and a transparent floor was built. Here is located a large number of various objects:

• Glass balustrades and a transparent floor, which give an unforgettable experience of walking through the void at a height of more than 50 meters from the ground. Fear not, the floor is perfectly safe!
• Restaurant 58 Tour Eiffel. Not the only one in the tower, but the most famous.
• Buffet if you just want a bite to eat or a drink.
• A small cinema hall in which a film about the Eiffel Tower is broadcast by many projectors on three walls at once.
• A small museum with interactive screens that tells the history of the tower.
• Fragment of an old spiral staircase that led to Personal Area Gustave Eiffel.
• A seating area where you can just sit and watch Paris from a bird's eye view.
• Souvenir shop.

You can get to the first floor both on foot, overcoming 347 steps, and by elevator. At the same time, an elevator ticket costs 1.5 times more, so walking is not only useful, but also profitable. True, in this case, the third, highest platform will not be available to you.

The height of the second floor of the tower is 115 meters. The second and first floors are connected by stairs and an elevator. If you decide to climb the second level of the Eiffel Tower on foot, then get ready to overcome 674 steps, this is not an easy test, so soberly assess your strength.

In terms of area, this floor is two times smaller than the first, because there are not so many objects here:

• Jules Verne restaurant where you can treat yourself to gourmet French cuisine while looking at the city from a great height. Interestingly, this restaurant has a separate direct access from the ground via an elevator in the southern column of the bridge.
• The Historical Window is a gallery that tells about the construction of the Eiffel Tower and the operation of its elevators, both the first hydraulic and modern ones.
• Observation deck with large panoramic windows.
• Buffet.
• Souvenir kiosk.

The last, third floor of the Eiffel Tower is the most interesting part of it. Of course, restaurants at a bird's eye view are interesting, but nothing compares to the panorama of Paris from a height of almost 300 square meters.

Visitors can only get to the third floor of the tower by ascending in a glass elevator, although a staircase leads here, which originally had 1665 steps, but was later replaced by a safer 1710 steps.

The last floor of the tower is quite small, its area is only 250 square meters, so there are few objects here:

• Viewpoint.
• Champagne bar.
• Eiffel's study with original interior and wax figures.
• Panoramic maps that allow you to determine the direction to other cities and attractions.
• Scale model of the floor in its original form from 1889.

The main thing on this floor, of course, is panoramic windows that allow you to see Paris from a great height. To date, the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower is the second highest in Europe after the site of the Ostankino TV tower in Moscow.

Where is the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is located in the center of Paris, on the Champ de Mars. From the Champs Elysees to the tower about two kilometers.

Walking around the center on foot, it is impossible to miss the tower, just look up and you will see it, and then just go in the right direction.

Nearest metro station: Bir-Hakeim, 6th line - from it to the tower you need to walk only 500 meters. But it can also be reached from Trocadero stations (crossing of lines 6 and 9), Ecole Militaire (line 8).

Nearest RER station: Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel (line C).

Bus routes: 42, 69, 72, 82, 87, stop "Champ de Mars" or "Tour Eiffel"

In addition, near the Eiffel Tower there is a pier where boats and pleasure boats stop. There is also parking for cars and bicycles near the tower.

Eiffel Tower on the map

Information for those wishing to visit the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower opening hours:

Mid-June to end of September:

• Elevator - from 9:00 to 0:45 (entry until 0:00 on the 1st and 2nd floor and until 23:00 on the 3rd floor)
• Stairs - from 9:00 to 0:45 (entry until 0:00)

Rest of the year:

• Elevator - from 9:30 to 23:45 (entry until 23:00 on the 1st and 2nd floor and until 22:30 on the 3rd floor)
• Stairs - from 9:30 to 18:30 (entry until 18:00)

There are no days off, the Eiffel Tower is open all days of the year, and on holidays (Easter and spring break) it has an extended work schedule.

Ticket prices for the Eiffel Tower:

• Elevator with access to the 1st and 2nd floor - 11 €;
• Staircase with access to the 1st and 2nd floor - 7 €;
• Elevator to the 3rd observation deck - 17 €;

Ticket prices are for adults. Group tours and tickets for children (4-11 years old), youth (12-24 years old) and people with disabilities handicapped are cheaper.

Important: schedule and ticket prices may change, we recommend checking the information on the official website of the tower toureiffel.paris

A few days before Hitler was due to visit occupied Paris, the elevator in the Eiffel Tower broke down. The breakdown turned out to be so serious that the engineers could not repair the lift during the war. The Fuhrer failed to visit the top of the largest building in France. The elevator started working only when Paris was liberated from the Nazi invaders - just a few hours later. Therefore, the French say that although Hitler managed to conquer France, he still could not capture the Eiffel Tower.

If you look closely at the map of Paris, the capital of France, in order to find out where the Eiffel Tower is located, you can see that it is located in the western part of the city, on the Champ de Mars, on the left bank of the Seine, not far from the Jena bridge, which connects the Quai Branly with the opposite coast. Find out exactly where the Eiffel Tower is located on geographical map world, it is possible at the following coordinates: 48 ° 51′ 29 ″ s. sh., 2° 17′ 40″ in. d.

It is now the silhouette of the Eiffel Tower that is a symbol of Paris, and once, from the first days of its existence, it caused a mixed reaction from both the French and the guests of the city. While tourists admired its weight, size and unusual design, many Parisians were categorically against its presence in the capital and repeatedly demanded that the authorities dismantle this grandiose structure.

From the planned demolition (the weight of the iron structure attracted more than one firm in the field of metallurgy), the Eiffel Tower was saved only because the era of radio frequency waves had come - and it was this building that was best suited for installing radio antennas.

The idea of ​​building a tower

The history of the Eiffel Tower began when the French decided to organize a world exhibition dedicated to the centenary of the French Revolution that took place in 1789. To this end, a competition was launched throughout the country to select the best engineering and architectural projects that could be presented at the planned event and that could demonstrate the technical achievements of France over the past decade.

Among competitive works most of the proposals were similar to each other and were a kind of Eiffel Tower, on which the judges decided to stop their choice. An interesting fact: although Gustave Eiffel is considered to be the author of the project, in reality the idea was submitted by his employees - Emile Nougier and Maurice Koechlin. Their version had to be somewhat modified, since the Parisians, who preferred more refined architecture, seemed to be unnecessarily “dry”.

It was decided to overlay the lower part of the structure with stone, and on the ground floor to connect the supports and the platform of the tower with arches, which would also serve as the entrance to the exhibition. He gave the idea to equip all three tiers of the structure with glazed halls, and to give the top of the structure a rounded shape and decorate it with various decorative elements.

Construction

An interesting fact: Gustave Eiffel himself allocated half of the money for the construction of the Eiffel Tower (the rest of the amount was contributed by three French banks). For this, an agreement was signed with him, according to which the future structure was leased to the engineer for a quarter of a century, and compensation was also provided, which was supposed to cover 25% of his expenses.

The tower paid off even before the exhibition closed (for six months of its work, more than 2 million people came to look at the construction, unprecedented at that time), so its further operation brought Eiffel a lot of money.

It took very little time to create the Eiffel Tower: two years, two months and five days. An interesting fact: only three hundred workers were involved in the construction, and not a single death was recorded, which at that time was a kind of achievement.

Such a rapid pace of construction is primarily due to high-quality drawings, which indicated the absolutely exact dimensions of all metal parts (and their number exceeded 18 thousand). When assembling the tower, completely finished parts with holes were used, two thirds of which had pre-installed rivets.

An important role was played by the fact that the weight of the parts did not exceed three tons - this greatly facilitated their lifting up.

Cranes were involved in the construction, which, after the tower had significantly exceeded their height, lifted the parts to their maximum level, from where they fell into mobile cranes that moved up along the rails that were laid for the elevators.

Already two years after the start construction works The Eiffel Tower was built and its chief engineer on March 31, 1989 hoisted the flag of France over the structure - and the opening of the Eiffel Tower took place. On the same evening, it shone with multi-colored lights: a lighthouse was installed on top of the structure, glowing in the colors of the French flag, two searchlights and about 10 thousand gas lamps (later they were replaced by 125 thousand electric bulbs).

Nowadays, the Eiffel Tower is “dressed” in a golden robe at night, which sometimes changes color depending on the events being held.

What does the symbol of France look like?

The dimensions of the Eiffel Tower amazed the Parisians even before the completion of construction work - no one in the world had ever seen such a structure. About what a grandiose construction appeared in front of them, say at least such facts that it was much higher than all the structures existing at that time: the pyramid of Cheops had a height of 146 meters, Cologne and Ulm Cathedrals - 156 and 161 meters, respectively (a building of higher dimensions was erected only in 1930 - it was the New York Chrysler Building 319 m high).

Immediately after the completion of construction, the height of the Eiffel Tower was about three hundred meters (in our time, thanks to the antenna installed on its top, the height of the Eiffel Tower in the spire is 324 m). You can climb the tower to the second floor by stairs - there are 1792 of them in total or by elevator. From the second to the third - only on the lift. Anyone who decides to climb so high will definitely not regret it: the view from the Eiffel Tower is gorgeous - all of Paris is at a glance.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris shocked contemporaries with its unusual shape for the capital, and therefore the project was repeatedly criticized mercilessly.

The designer argued that this configuration is the best option in order to successfully withstand the force of the wind (as time has shown, he was right: even the strongest hurricane, which swept through the capital at a speed of 180 km / h, deflected the top of the tower only 12 cm). There is no doubt that outwardly the Eiffel Tower somewhat resembles an elongated pyramid, the weight of which is many tons.

Below, at the same distance from each other, there are four square columns, the length of each side of such a column is 129.3 meters, and they all go up at a slight angle with an inclination to each other. These columns at the level of 57 m connect the vault decorated with arches, on which the first tier, 65 by 65 m in size, is installed (a restaurant was placed here). Interestingly, under this floor, the names of seventy-two of the most famous French designers of scientists, as well as all those who took a significant part in the construction of the tower, are engraved on all sides.

From the first platform, at a slight angle, four more columns rise to each other, which converge together at a height of 115 m, and the size of the second floor is half as much - 35 by 35 meters (there is a restaurant here, and earlier there were also tanks with intended for lift machine oil). The four columns located on the second tier also go up at an angle, approaching until at a height of 190 m they converge into one column, on which, at a level of 276 m, a third floor of 16.5 by 16.5 meters is installed (an astronomical and a meteorological observatory and a physics office).

A lighthouse was installed above the third floor, the light from which can be seen at a distance of 10 km, which is why the Eiffel Tower looks incredibly beautiful at night, as it shines with blue, white and red light - the colors of the national flag of France. Three hundred meters from the ground above the lighthouse, a very small platform was installed - 1.4 by 1.4 meters, on which there is now a twenty-meter spire.

As for the mass of the structure, its weight is 7.3 thousand tons (the weight of the total mass of the structure is 10.1 thousand tons). An interesting fact: for all the years of its existence, the Eiffel Tower was sold by especially successful entrepreneurs about two dozen times (the weight of the metal of the world-famous design attracted more than one buyer). For example, in 1925, the Eiffel Tower was twice sold for scrap by the swindler Victor Lusting.

The same thing was done thirty-five years later by the Englishman David Sams, interesting fact consists in the fact that he was able to documentarily prove to a reputable Dutch firm that the Parisian authorities had instructed him to take up the dismantling. As a result, he was arrested and imprisoned, but the money was not returned to the firm.

It is located on the Champ de Mars near the Jena bridge over the river Seine. The Eiffel Tower is known to any person on earth, and since its construction, more than 250 million people have visited its observation decks.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower

• Bir-Hakeim metro station (line 6) or Trocadero station (line 9).

Eiffel Tower levels

• The ground floor area is located at a height of 57 meters. This area can be reached on foot and by lift. Tickets for the first level are the cheapest. There are souvenir shops and a restaurant here, you can also see a fragment of a spiral staircase that used to connect the second and third floors.
• The second floor is located at a height of 115 meters and offers a beautiful panorama of Paris. There are souvenir shops and a restaurant.
• Tourists can get to the third level in two stages: first, the elevator goes to the second level. Here you need to find an elevator that goes from the second to the third level. From a height of 276 meters offers an unforgettable view of the capital of France. In a small bar you can buy and drink a glass of champagne for 12-21 euros.
• There are toilets on the second and third levels.

Opening hours of the Eiffel Tower in 2019

• June 21 - September 2
  • Elevator access from 9:00 to 0:45, last visit to the upper level starts at 23:00
  • Stair access from 9:00 to 0:45, last visit at 0:00
• September 3 - June 20
  • Elevator access from 9:30 am to 11:45 pm, last visit to the upper level starts at 10:30 pm
  • Stair access from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, last visit at 6:00 pm

Ticket prices for the Eiffel Tower 2019

Tickets for the Eiffel Tower can be bought directly at the box office at the foot of the tower or on the official website. Buying tickets at the box office is the last option if there are no seats online or for some other reason. In this case, you will have to stand in two lines - at the cash desk, and directly in front of the elevator. Tickets are sold online for certain time slots. You will need to arrive a little earlier and show a printout of the ticket. When buying online, the queue will consist only of those who bought tickets for the same time. It is highly recommended not to visit the Eiffel Tower on weekends and holidays- crowds of tourists are reinforced by the French from all over the country and residents of neighboring countries. If your visit still falls on holidays, then you need to buy a ticket in advance, for example, a month in advance.

• Third level (on two elevators)
  • Adults - 25.5 euros
  • Children 12-24 years old - 12.7 euros
  • Children 4-11 years old - 6.4 euros
• Third level (stairs + lift)
  • Adults - 19.4 euros
  • Children 12-24 years old - 9.7 euros
  • Children 4-11 years old - 4.9 euros
  • Children under 4 accompanied by adults - free of charge
• Second level by elevator
  • Adults - 16.3 euros
  • Children 12-24 years old - 8.1 euros
  • Children 4-11 years old - 4.1 euros
  • Children under 4 accompanied by adults - free of charge
• Second level stairs
  • Adults - 10.2 euros
  • Children 12-24 years old - 5.1 euros
  • Children 4-11 years old - 2.5 euros
  • Children under 4 accompanied by adults - free of charge

History of the Eiffel Tower

The history of the construction of this unusual building began in 1889, when the World Exhibition dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution was held in Paris.

The city authorities decided to build a temporary structure in the form of an arch as an entrance to the exhibition. On May 1, 1886, a design competition began, the winner of which was the work of Auguste Eiffel, who proposed a variant not only interesting in engineering terms, but also beautifully designed. Upon learning of his victory in the competition, the designer exclaimed: “France will be the only country with a 300-meter flagpole!”

It should be noted that the very idea of ​​the building belongs to the designers Maurice Koechlen and Emile Nougier, and the artistic appearance of the building was created by the architect Stefan Sauvestre. He proposed sheathing the basement supports with stone and creating majestic entrance arches, placing glazed halls on the floors, and making the top of the structure round. To assemble such a huge structure in a short time allowed the method of construction proposed by Eiffel.

An agreement was signed between Auguste Eiffel and the state, according to which the tower was leased to the engineer for 25 years.

The attitude towards the tower was very different. So Maupassant said that he feels good only at its top, when he does not see this monster, at the same time, the French writer Jean Cocteau and the poet Apollinaire Guillaume admired the monster. Vladimir Mayakovsky talked to the Eiffel Tower and persuaded her "Come, tower, to us."

The attitude to the Eiffel Tower was a test of readiness to enter the 20th century. If you don’t like it, then, grandpa, it’s time for you to go to the Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris, but if you like it, welcome to the 20th century.

The construction of the tallest building at that time cost 7.8 million francs, with 1.5 million gold francs reimbursed to the Eiffel as a subsidy.

26 months after the start of construction on March 31, 1889, the work was completed and Gustave Eiffel and the hardiest officials climbed up the 1710 steps. And in just the first six months, more than 2 million visitors climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Upon completion of construction, the Eiffel Tower had a height of 300.65 meters and surpassed the tallest buildings of that time - the Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt with a height of 137 meters, Cologne and Ulm Cathedral in Germany with a height of 157 and 161 meters, respectively. At the same time, the height of the Chrysler Building, a skyscraper built in New York in 1930, was 319 meters and at that time it became the tallest building in the world.

According to the contract concluded at the end of construction, the building was to be dismantled after 20 years. But the "iron lady" was saved by radio antennas installed at the top. It was a period of development of radio communications, and on January 1, 1910, the contract was extended for another 70 years.

The height of the Eiffel Tower, which is considered the most recognizable landmark located in Paris, is 300 meters. This is the highest building not only in the city, but throughout France.

Story

The construction of the future symbol of the city was completed in 1889. The construction was timed to coincide with the opening of the World Exhibition, which was held in the same year in the French capital.

1889 was the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The leadership of the Third Republic decided to impress the population and guests with a truly unusual structure. A competition was announced, which was won by the firm of engineer Gustave Eiffel. This project proposed the construction of a huge 300-meter building in the city center. Leading roles in the development of the project were played by engineers Emile Nouguier and Maurice Kehlen. After the closing of the World Exhibition, the building was supposed to be dismantled.

To many Parisians, the idea of ​​building a huge futuristic-looking structure in the very center of the city seemed unsuccessful. Writers - Alexandre Dumas son, Emile Zola, Guy de Maupassant, composer Charles Gounod - opposed.

Expert opinion

Knyazeva Victoria

Guide to Paris and France

Ask an expert

The Eiffel Tower was a huge success with the public. Construction costs paid off in a year.

Construction process

After 20 years, the building was to be dismantled. Technological progress intervened. By that time, radio had been invented, a powerful transmitter and antenna were placed on top. In 1898, the first radio communication session was successfully conducted. It was mainly used for radio communications, then, already in the 20th century, for television.

Bercy: Parisian district

eiffel tower now

This attraction is open to everyone. In each of the legs-columns there are entrances for access inside. The cost of visiting depends on the level to which you plan to climb. On the second tier, the ticket price is 11 euros, on the observation deck, located at the very top - 17 euros. How long you have to stand in line depends on luck and the influx of tourists.

Three floors are available for visiting. You can move between them by elevator or on foot. There is usually a long queue for the elevator.

• The first tier is at a height of 57.64 meters. It is the largest in area, almost 4415 sq. meters, at the same time there can be 3000 people.
• The second tier, which is at a height of 115.7 meters, is already much smaller. Area - 1430 sq. meters, provides for the presence of 1600 people.
• The third tier (height 276.1 meters) is the last one. Its dimensions are 250 sq. meters and a capacity of up to 400 people. This is the most high point The Eiffel Tower, which you can climb.
• Above is a lighthouse and a long spire with a flagpole.

Height of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Design and shape features

Many are interested in the question, what is the exact height of the Eiffel creation. The tower itself rose to a height of 300.65 m. Subsequently, an antenna in the form of a spire was installed on top. This increased the size of the structure. The exact height has increased to 324.82 meters.

Pere Lachaise cemetery

The Eiffel Tower has a very original and memorable look. However, there are few people all over the world who would not be familiar with him. Its shape can be described as a highly elongated pyramid. Four columns rise up and merge into one square-shaped structure. Material: puddling steel.

View from Champ de Mars

The structure, built at the end of the last century, is highly reliable. The design created by Gustave Eiffel resists even strong winds. The applied technologies make it possible to compensate for the thermal expansion of the metal, due to the unevenness of which the top deviates by 18 cm as much as possible.

Backlight

So tall buildings, which is the dominant feature of the center of Paris, it was decided to equip it with spectacular lighting.

At first, acetylene lamps, two searchlights and a beacon on top, painted in the colors of the national flag - white, red and blue, were used for this. Since 1900, electric lamps have been used for these purposes.

For 9 years, from 1925 to 1934, the founder of Citroen, Andre Citroen, placed special advertisements on the building. It was called "Eiffel Tower on fire". A system of 125,000 light bulbs was mounted, which alternately lit up to form the silhouettes of a flying comet, the year of construction, a shooting star, the current date and the word Citroen.

Since 1937, floodlights have been used for illumination, illuminating the structure from below. In 2006, the tower was lit for the first time in blue color in honor of the 20th anniversary of the European Union. In 2008, during the appointment of France as the chairman of the Council of Europe, the tower had an unusual illumination - a blue background with gold stars, reminiscent of the banner of the European Union.