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The Eiffel Tower

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The Eiffel Tower - One of the most famous landmarks in the world

The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France is one of the most recognized landmarks in the world. I've visited several times, I love Paris, and I just don't get tired of it.

Millions of people visit the Eiffel Tower every year and it is hard to believe how hated it was when the Eiffel Tower was first built.

Did you know, the Eiffel Tower was built to be a temporary structure? It has now been around for over 100 years, and let's hope that it will me around for many more.

Learn more facts about the Eiffel Tower History on this page.

Quick Facts:

When was the Eiffel Tower Built?

Why was the Eiffel Tower Built?

How tall is the Eiffel Tower?

Where is the Eiffel Tower?

Are you looking for my Eiffel Tower For Kids page?

Visiting the Eiffel Tower Restaurant? Buy entrance tickets and book a table at one of the two Eiffel Tower restaurants located on level one and two of the Tower.

Purchase this image at AllPosters.com

Contents at a Glance

History of the Eiffel Tower
How Tall is the Eiffel Tower?
Where is the Eiffel Tower located?
How long did it take to build the Eiffel...
What can you do at the top of the Tower?
Interesting Facts about the Eiffel Tower

Why was the Eiffel tower built? When was the Eiffel Tower built?

The Eiffel Tower was built as a temporary structure to celebrate the Worlds Fair that was being held in Paris in May 1889, which was also the Centennial of the French Revolution.

A competition was held and of the winning entries the design by the engineer Gustave Eiffel was chosen.

The tower was controversial from the start, considered by many to be an eyesore. In 1909 it was due to be torn down however the antenna at the top of the tower was being used for radio transmissions and the tower was saved due to it's usefulness.

Wind resistance is the reason for the shape of the tower. Using mathematical equations, Gustav Eiffel, was able to build an extremely stable structure that only moves approximately 9 centimeters in the wind at its summit.

Eiffel Tower History from DiscoverFrance.net

How Tall is the Eiffel Tower?

Height of the Eiffel Tower

One question people always ask is "How tall is the Eiffel Tower".

Initial height: 312 m (1023.5 ft) to the top of the flagpole.

1st floor: 57.63m (189 ft)

2nd floor: 115.75m (379.76 ft)

3rd floor: 276.13m (906 ft)

Current height (including antennas): 324 m (1,063 ft)

The Eiffel Tower is not the worlds tallest structure, but it once was. From 1889 until 1930 the Eiffel Tower was the worlds tallest man-made structure, and it is still the tallest structure in Paris.

In 1930 New York City's Chrysler building became the tallest structure in the world.

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Where is the Eiffel Tower located?

Visiting Paris? Visit the Eiffel Tower!

The Eiffel Tower is located at the Champs de Mars in Paris.

It is easy to get to by the Paris Metro or by water taxi.

Coordinates for your GPS are
48° 51' 29" N, 02° 17' 40" E

How long did it take to build the Eiffel Tower

The Gustave Eiffel Tower

Construction on the Eiffel Tower begun on 1887 and was completed in 1889.

In just 2 years, 2 months and 5 days the tower was completed under budget and it took only one year to recover the majority of the $1.5 million in building costs for the tower through ticket sales.

"It only took five months to build the foundations and twenty-one to finish assembling the metal pieces of the Tower."

Construction of the Tower at Tour-Eiffel.fr

Image courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

The Eiffel Tower at Night

Video of the Eiffel Tower lit up at night.

Visiting the Eiffel Tower at night is very different to viewing it during the day. This video shows the lights at night. Every hour for 5 minutes minutes the light display sparkles as shown in this video. For the rest of the hour the lights are still on but they are not sparkling. When I visited the Tower looked blue, it was gorgeous.

It also seemed to me that there were a few less visiters during the night time.

eiffel tower sparkling: by horcubee | video info

58 ratings | 68,425 views

curated content from YouTube

What can you do at the top of the Tower?

If you arrive after midday, visit the Champagne bar and view the Paris skyline while sipping a chilled glass of Champagne.

The Eiffel Tower, stages of building

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Pop Art Paris Art Print

Eiffel Tower Pop Art

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Interesting Facts about the Eiffel Tower

Did you know that ...

Only one person died during the construction of the Eiffel Tower.

The tower is made of puddle iron, not steel.

Heat expands the tower and depending on which side is facing the sun, the tower leans just a fraction in that direction.

On a clear day you can see 42 miles around Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower in each direction.

The Eiffel tower "grows" in the heat. It can become up to 15cm taller.

Find more facts about the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower Online Resources

Illuminating the Eiffel Tower: Illuminating the Eiffel Tower. Photos of the Eiffel Tower lit at night.
Children's Corner: A guide to the Eiffel Tower for children.
The official site of the Eiffel Tower: The official Eiffel Tower website: 500 pages, 1,000 illustrations, 360 & 3-D virtual visits, videos of the millennium sparkling lights and fireworks display, documentation, games...
Eiffel Tower - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: The Eiffel Tower on Wikipedia
Eiffel Tower Facts. Get the Facts about the Eiffel Tower.: Eiffel Tower Facts - Interesting Facts About Eiffel Tower in Paris for Kids, Students, Adults of all Ages. Learn Fascinating and Unusual Eiffel Tower Info and Facts on History, Tours, Maps, Tickets, Quotes, and more fun information.
PBS.org: Building Big Databank entry on Eiffel Tower

Eiffel's Tower: And the World's Fair Where Buffalo Bill Beguiled Paris, the Artists Quarreled, and Thomas Edison Became a Count

by: Jill Jonnes

Amazon Price: $8.09 (as of 02/16/2012)

Learn about the controversial building of the Eiffel Tower, and the colourful people of the 1889 Paris World Fair.

Can you get married on the Eiffel Tower?

Getting married on the Eiffel Tower is not allowed. However you can plan a reception in the restaurant on the Eiffel Tower.

Photos of the Eiffel Tower

Enjoy Eiffel Tower Pictures

Paris - ESE from Eiffel Tower (1968) by roger4336

Paris - Looking North from Eiffel Tower (1960) by roger4336

Obligatory Eiffel Tower shot by aparkersmith

Spring fragrance...bench, sunflowers and bike by LasVegasInside

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Strip !!! by LasVegasInside

paris-romance-eiffel-tower-synergybyjasmine.com by Synergy by Jasmine

Et pendant ce temps, les nuages passent by ollografik

19990913 16 Jackie et David @ Tour Eiffel, Paris by davidwilson1949

19990913 12 Tour Eiffel, Paris by davidwilson1949

19990913 17 Tour Eiffel, Paris by davidwilson1949

automatically generated by Flickr

Parisian Wall Decal

Landscape with Eiffel Tower

Vinyl Paris Eiffel Tower Wall Mural Stickers Wallies

Amazon Price: (as of 02/16/2012)

This fabulous set of vinyl, peel and stick, wall decals is a wonderful addition to any room. A total of 7 self-adhesive stickers which are removable (Eiffel tower, Notre Dame; Arc des Triumph, and others). Use the stickers to create your own mural. Use everywhere: walls, desks, doors, and mirrors. The design options are unlimited. Largest sticker: 25" H and 11" W; Smallest sticker: 5 1/2" H x 6 1/2" W.

Why is the Eiffel Tower considered one of the most romantic places to visit?

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“Don't forget to take a jacket when visiting the Eiffel Tower.
It gets windy up there!”

What's it like at the Eiffel Tower today?

Visit the Eiffel Tower Webcam: Want to know what the weather is like? Is it night or day? Visit the Eiffel Tower WebCam

Perfect for a French Themed Party

Why not celebrate Bastille day on July 14th.

Have a French Themed Party

Buy at AllPosters.com

Be the envy of your friends and family

Eiffel Tower Cheese Graters

France = Cheese = Cheese Grater = Eiffel Tower!

Be the envy of all of your friends, bring the Eiffel Tower and a touch of class to your cooking and family gatherings.

Buy the Eiffel Tower Cheese Grater and Garlic/Spice Grater today!

Seriously though ... I can't help thinking this would be a fun item to add to a wine and cheese gift basket. Make a few cookies and chocolates with the Eiffel Tower cookie cutouts and chocolate mold and you have a great fun gift.

Eiffel Tower Post Office

Vote Down

Dale Tiffany TT80315 Eiffel Tower Table Lamp, Antique Brass and Art Glass Shade

Finish:Antique Brass, Light Bulb:(2)60w A19 Med F Incand more...0 points

view all 11 items

Eiffel Tower Lamps

Eiffel Tower Vintage Art Print

Paris I by Pela + Silverman Eiffel Tower Vintage Art Print Framed

Amazon Price: $121.73 (as of 02/16/2012)

Visiting the Eiffel Tower?

Book to eat at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant

If you are going to be visiting the Eiffel Tower soon, consider buying your tickets online and booking a seat at the Eiffel Tower restaurant.

Entrance fees - Buy online: SAVE TIME ! BUY YOUR TICKET ONLINE
RESTAURANT LE 58 TOUR EIFFEL: Enjoy a great meal at the Eiffel Tower restaurants with an amazing view over Paris. 58 Tour Eiffel is 58 metres from the ground on level 1.
Le Jules Verne: Le Jules Verne Restaurant, Tour Eiffel - 75007 Paris - France - 125 metres from the ground on level 2
Paris attractions - Whats on paris : concerts, shows, theater, exhibition paris : Paris convention and visitors office: On parisinfo.com, the Paris convention and visitors office proposes you to discover Paris at night outings: concerts, shows, theater, chose among a large choice of events in Paris.

Blackpool Tower

Thank you Debbie for letting me know about the Blackpool Tower

The Blackpool Tower was inspired by the Eiffel Tower and can be seen for 30 miles away. Opened in May 1894, not long after the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Blackpool Tower is a tourist attraction in its own right.

The Tower in Blackpool is not a freestanding structure, it rises from a building below to a height of 158m (518 ft 9 in).

Photos of the Blackpool Tower

Blackpool from Gynn Square by jjordan64816

Blackpool Borough Council Transport 631 by Ingy The Wingy

automatically generated by Flickr

Eiffel Tower at Sunrise

Beautiful Photo of the Eiffel Tower

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.com

Eiffel Tower Christmas Ornaments

Eiffel Tower Clocks

Eiffel Tower For Kids

More French Themed Pages

Have you been to the Eiffel Tower?

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Reply

MelonyVaughan Feb 4, 2012 @ 8:53 pm | delete

What a fascinating and interesting lens. Thank you!

Reply

Lindrus Jan 27, 2012 @ 7:24 am | delete

Beautiful and interesting lens! Well done!

Reply

goldenrulecomics Jan 6, 2012 @ 8:26 pm | delete

Yes! the line was crazy long, but the view was well worth the wait!

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webgain Dec 21, 2011 @ 7:36 am | delete

wow. beautiful lens. I want to visit once there.

Reply

seosmm Nov 25, 2011 @ 9:48 am | delete

Never been. Lots of good info. Very nice lens!

Reply

oxfordian Oct 10, 2011 @ 7:40 pm | delete

Beautiful lens!! I love it! Paris is one of my favorite places. I can't believe all the fabulous images you have. (Just so you know, I clicked on on the Eifel Tower lamp -- the #1 item on your list and it's an item no longer available on Amazon ... just in case you might want to change it).

Reply

indiavacationplans Sep 23, 2011 @ 4:47 am | delete

I love this page! Very cool selection.

Reply

LabKitty Sep 12, 2011 @ 8:36 pm | delete

Never been, but W00t: Civil Engineering!

Reply

judithcheng Aug 28, 2011 @ 9:16 am | delete

never get tired of gathering tips & facts on Paris...that's a magical video, THANKS...have you gotten the chance to do some ice skating up there?

Reply

naturegirl7 Aug 11, 2011 @ 7:33 pm | delete

Interesting lens. It brings back memories of my visits to my father's homeland. Sprinkled with dust from the Angel of the farmyard on a Back to School Field Trip.
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