The Eiffel Tower is a building located in the center of the French capital – Paris. The visiting card of the city, its pride, which is visited by more than 6 million people annually.
Construction history
In 1889, the French were preparing to host the World Exhibition in their homeland, dedicated to the centenary of the revolution. The government of the country invited the most famous engineers to develop and submit to the competition drawings of a structure that would play the role of an arch – the entrance to the exhibition. The contestants were asked to develop a project showing the leadership of France in the technical field, its power and achievements.
More than 100 projects took part in the work, including the work of the engineer Eiffel. He provided the commission with drawings of a tower 300 meters high and became one of four contenders for victory. After some improvements, mostly of a decorative nature, the project of his engineering bureau received the first prize.
In 1887, the Eiffel, the state and the municipality of France signed an agreement according to which the engineer was allocated 1.5 francs for the construction and the right to rent the building for personal ownership for 25 years. This amount was only a quarter of the necessary funds. To get the missing ones, a Joint Stock Company was created, but Eiffel had to donate 50% of the total amount from his own savings. In total, about 8 million francs were collected.
Construction, which lasted over two years, began on January 28, 1887. They finished it in a record time for the end of the 19th century, in many respects this was facilitated by excellent drawings. Up to 300 people took part in the work. After the construction was completed, the grand structure was lit up by thousands of gas lamps, a searchlight and a lighthouse were installed at the very top, the rays of which were painted in the colors of the French flag – an amazing sight. A year later, gas lamps were replaced with electric lighting.
Description
The Eiffel Tower immediately became popular, making a splash. People came to see this building even from other cities. In the first week after the opening, about 30 thousand people visited it, and during the exhibition – 2 million people.
But not everyone unconditionally accepted it. The intelligentsia was especially indignant, among whom were such famous writers, musicians and artists as Maupassant, Balzac, Garnier. From the very beginning of construction, they bombarded the municipality with requests to stop work, arguing that the construction would not fit into the historical appearance of the capital. As history has shown, this did not happen. For 40 years, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building until the Chrysler Building in New York was built in America.
In its form, the tower is two truncated tetrahedral pyramids of different sizes, made of steel (gradually, steel parts are replaced with lighter and stronger alloys). A smaller pyramid is installed on a larger pyramid, they form tiers. The columns of the second floor approach the upper part, on which the third level with an observation deck is installed.
Some design information:
Above it is a lighthouse with program control, and a flagpole, the spire crowns the structure, radio and television antennas are also installed here. The tower looks sophisticated, like a real Frenchwoman, often changing its appearance. Initially, it was painted yellow, then brown, with a new design every 7 years. Over the past decades, she has been dyed in a “bronze” color, which is patented as “brown-eiffel”. Interestingly, after each dyeing, the weight of the first beauty of Paris, as she is affectionately called, increases by several tons.
An electric outfit is also worthy of a metropolitan resident – since 1900, the backlight has been electric. Since 1925, for almost 10 years, Citroen's advertising sparkled on it. In 1985, just before the New Year, she was dressed in gold, and at the turn of the millennium, silver lights were added. In early 2000, new lighting was installed with 20,000 light bulbs.
Experiments with wireless communication were carried out from the top of the tower, during the First World War a transmitter of strategic importance worked, since 1920 – civil radio stations.
What to see on the ground floor?
The ground floor platform rises to a height of about 60 meters. It is easy to climb on foot, but you can use the elevator. The first level has recently been refurbished, including some parts being replaced and a transparent floor built. Visitors can view the land from a height of almost 60 meters, getting an unforgettable experience from this. The engineering structure seems fragile and unreliable, but it is absolutely safe.
The area of the first level is the largest, there are several interesting objects here:
- A restaurant with an average price category: lunch costs from 40 euros per person, dinner from – 80. There is also a buffet where you can have a quick bite by ordering a cup of coffee, french fries or a croissant.
- Cinema hall. It shows films that tell about the construction of the legendary building, its history and creators.
- Museum
- Part of the original spiral staircase connecting the first and second floors
- Cozy seating area
- Souvenir shop. It sells printed materials, photography – everything is dedicated to the famous “Frenchwoman”
347 steps separate the first floor from the base, it is not difficult to overcome them on foot and save on elevator tickets, but there is a big minus – it will not be possible to visit the third level. Since the end of 2004, a skating rink has been poured on the lower floor.
What to see on the second floor
On the second floor there is a luxurious restaurant “Jules Verne”. A modest lunch will cost at least 80 euros, and with lobsters and other delicacies – from 200 euros. You can get to the restaurant – by the elevator located in the southern column, bypassing the general entrance. Having ordered lunch or dinner in it, you can not buy entrance tickets.
On the second floor there are: a gallery of stained-glass windows, which tells about the design features of the design; buffet and kiosk with printed and souvenir products, toilet. From the second tier, unforgettable views of Paris, the city of all lovers, open up.
What to see on the third floor
Visitors get to the last level only by elevator. On the third tier there is a platform from which the capital is at a glance, and nothing compares to the pleasure of admiring its beauties.
Interesting! Up to the present day, two elevators, mounted during construction, are used. At first they were driven by hydraulic pumps, since 1983 by an electric motor.
Despite the fact that the area of the last tier is relatively small (250 sq. m), there are many interesting things here:
Where is the tower and how to get to it?
The Eiffel Tower is located at the address: France, Paris, 7th district, Champ de Mars, 5, Avenue Anatole France (Champ de Mars 5, Avenue Anftole France, 75007, Paris, France).
It is more convenient to get on the subway:
By bus – route NoNo42, 82, 87 and 69 – stop “Champ de Mars” or “Eiffel Tower”.
By river trams, since the building is located near the Seine River, a stop at the Alma Bridge.
Ticket prices
The cost of entrance tickets is different, depending on the level and method of lifting, whether the visitor will use the elevator or climb the stairs.
Third level (euro):
Second level (by elevator):
Second level (on foot):
Children under 4 years old enter free of charge.
You can buy tickets at the ticket office of the tower, they are located on the first floor in the supports, or online. It is more convenient to buy via the Internet – you do not have to stand in two lines – at the cashier itself and at the elevator. If you bought tickets online, you need to arrive a little earlier than the indicated time and make a printout. It is not advised to visit this legendary place on weekends and holidays due to the large crowds.
Working hours
Keep in mind that different levels close at different times – the stairs and elevator to the second level 45 minutes before closing, the third level 1 hour 45 minutes before closing.
Arriving in Paris, it is impossible not to visit the legendary places of the most romantic city at least once – the Champs Elysees. Notre Dame Cathedral and, of course, the Eiffel Tower – a symbol of the capital.