The most visited and photographed attraction in the world is the Eiffel Tower, located in Paris. This image is the most recognizable among millions of people around the world. The desire to see it with our own eyes is fair, because the Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris.
Eiffel Tower: short description with photo
Find out some new facts about this 300 meter beauty, get acquainted with its history, as well as life hacks for tourists from our review.
It is very easy to find the most important attraction of France in Paris, because it is visible from anywhere in the city. Even if you get lost, ask any citizen about the Eiffel Tower in English or French, and you will certainly be prompted and indicated where to go.
Where is the Eiffel Tower
It doesn't matter if you decide to travel by metro or boat, by car or by bike - all the ways to get to the Eiffel Tower are good and convenient! You can also combine a visit to this attraction with a stroll along the streets of Paris or along the River Seine. After all, the Eiffel Tower is located in the very center of Paris, two kilometers from the Champs Elysees on the Champ de Mars.
6 ways to get to the Eiffel Tower:
- Metro. The metro station closest to the tower is Bir-Hakeim, line 6. You can also take line 9 to Trocadero station and walk to this attraction. At the exit of the metro, see how the Eiffel Tower is located on the map of Paris and walk about 500 m in the chosen direction.
- On the regional RER train. On line C, the closest station to the tower is Champ de Mars or Tour Eiffel. In order to reach the most famous landmark in France from the RER station, it only takes a few minutes walk.
- By bus. There are four buses in the direction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Their numbers are 82, 42, 87 and 69. You are guided by the stop "Champ de Mars".
- By bike. This is a pleasant way to stroll through Parisian streets and visit the Eiffel Tower. You don't even need to know its address in order to easily ride a bike to the point of interest.
- On the boat. Not everyone knows about this original and interesting way to get to the Eiffel Tower. The River Seine flows through the heart of Paris and provides the opportunity for tourists to enjoy boat trips, including near the tower.
- By car. If you want to get to the Eiffel Tower by car, we recommend that you park in any of the nearest underground car parks near the Eiffel Tower. A good choice is the parking at Quai Branly, which is located on the map of Paris, less than 300 meters from the famous landmark!
History
Perhaps you know that fate is quite interesting and confusing. From its very construction, it was not supposed to become a symbol of Paris. She received a lot of criticism from both ordinary Parisians and famous people. For example, Guy de Maupassant even dined at the tower's restaurant so as not to see her.
photo: drawings of the Eiffel Tower However, the idea of Gustav Eiffel to build an entrance arch to a major World Exhibition in 1889 was realized and, in fact, the history of the Eiffel Tower has been counted from this moment. Although initially it was supposed to end rather quickly. After 20 years, the tower was going to be dismantled, but this did not happen thanks to the development of radio, television and cellular communications in France.
Who built it?
The daredevil and talented architect who built the Eiffel Tower is considered Gustave Eiffel, but it is not so.
The plan to build a tower 300 meters high was conceived as part of preparations for the 1889 World's Fair.
Emile Nugier and Maurice Köchlin are two chief engineers at the Eiffel company who came up with the idea of a very tall tower in June 1884. By this time, the company had perfectly mastered the principle of constructing bridge supports, which formed the basis for the design of the tower. The Eiffel company project was a bold extension of this principle, but 300 meters high. On September 18, 1884, a patent was registered "For a new configuration allowing the construction of metal supports and pylons exceeding 300 meters in height."
Gustave Eiffel did indeed build the Eiffel Tower, and the architect Stéphane Sauvestre drew up this grandiose project. The Soviets proposed a large number of improvements to the original design, including the large arches at the base of the tower. These arches give it a very distinctive appearance.
Construction
Useful for the tourist:
After the project was developed, the construction of the Eiffel Tower began. This happened on July 1, 1887 and lasted 22 months. All elements of the tower were manufactured at the Eiffel factory in the suburbs of Paris.
Each of the 18,000 parts used in the construction of the tower has been specially designed and calculated. Sauvestre drew them to the nearest tenths of a millimeter and then joined them together to form new pieces, each about five meters in size.
All metal the structure of the Eiffel Tower is held in place by rivets... During its construction, parts of the structure were first assembled at the factory with bolts, and then replaced one by one with heat-treated rivets, which were compressed upon cooling and thus ensured a very tight fit.
It took a four-man team to install each rivet: one to heat it up, another to hold it in place, a third to shape the head, and a fourth to hit with a sledgehammer. Only a third of the 2,500,000 rivets used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower were installed directly on site.
The assembly of the tower was a miracle of precision for that period. Construction work began in January 1887, and the tower was built in 1889 according to a design by Gustave Eiffel.
Construction schedule:
- The construction work took 2 years, 2 months and 5 days.
- The first floor was completed by April 1, 1888.
- The second floor was completed by August 14, 1888.
- The assembly was completed once and for all by March 31, 1889.
A few numbers:
- The Eiffel Tower has 18,038 metal parts.
- 50 engineers and designers worked on the project.
- 150 workers worked on the tower at the Levallois-Pere factory.
- About 150 - 300 workers were at the construction site.
- 2,500,000 rivets installed.
- The structure of the Eiffel Tower has a mass / weight of 7300 tons.
- Used 60 tons of paint.
- Installed 5 elevators.
Architectural style
In addition to the fact that the 300-meter-high famous building is considered the tallest and most significant structure of those times, the architecture of the Eiffel Tower has become a herald of a new style - constructivism. To be precise, the architectural style of the tower combines elements of both constructivism and modernism of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
Constructivism as a style especially took root in the architecture of buildings in the Soviet Union. A distinctive feature of this style is the creation of expressive and functional buildings through forms, materials and uniform colors. Also, constructive-style buildings are notable for their scale, and the 300 meters of the Eiffel Tower is an example of this.
Since its inception, the Eiffel Tower has been surrounded by many events. We list only the most interesting things about the Eiffel Tower that you will not find in guidebooks.
- On the tower, Gustave Eiffel engraved 72 names of prominent mathematicians and engineers who took part in the creation of the tower. They were painted over at the beginning of the 20th century, but restored in 1986-87.
- The Eiffel Tower is famous for the number of people who jumped from its floors. So, in 1912, the inventor and tailor Franz Reichelt decided to test his raincoat - a parachute and jumped from the first level of the tower. The flight was unsuccessful, the parachute did not open.
- One of the failed suicides, jumping from the Eiffel Tower, fell on the roof of a car. Later, she and the owner of the car got married.
- One of the high-profile frauds in history is associated with the tower. Victor Lustig in 1925 managed to sell the Eiffel Tower twice for scrap and disappeared with the money.
- In many parts of our globe: in Torre del Reformador in Guatemala, in Durango in Mexico City, in Filiatre in Greece, in Copenhagen in Denmark, as well as in the USA and Katie, and many others, there are copies of the Eiffel Tower.
During the war
During World War II, the Eiffel Tower remained the only place in France not conquered by Hitler. There is a photograph in the archives where Adolf Hitler and the Eiffel Tower are present in the background, but the conqueror was not destined to climb to its top.
This happened thanks to the director of the tower, who, just before Hitler's arrival in Paris, cut the cables and reliably hid the motors, thereby breaking the Eiffel Tower elevator. Since the world was engulfed in war, it was not possible to repair the elevator until the liberation of Paris. But as soon as Adolf Hitler left France, the elevator on the Eiffel Tower magically started working again.
Floors
Initially, Gustave Eiffel built a tower 300.65 meters high, but over time a new antenna was installed on it and now the height of the Eiffel Tower is 324 meters.
Structurally, this famous building is divided into three levels, each of which is a pyramid. Therefore, it is not entirely correct to say how many floors the Eiffel Tower has. After all, each of the levels has its own size and shape. 
So, the first floor of the Eiffel Tower is a pyramid with four columns, above which there is a platform. The columns are about 58 m high, and the platform is 65 m wide.
From this platform, four more columns go up, ending in a platform. This structure forms the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. The height of the columns on the second floor is already 115.73 m, and the platforms - 30 m. There is a restaurant and cans with machine oil for the lift.
Just like the previous floors, the third floor of the Eiffel Tower is formed by four columns and a platform, but at a height of 276.13 m. On this level, on a platform 16.5 m wide, there are an observatory, research laboratories and a lighthouse.
Inside
The easiest and most popular way to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower is to take the elevator. However, if you want to save time and money, you can use the steps inside one of the tower legs. Calculate your strength before this journey, because 1,792 steps lead to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Using the steps, you have every chance to be inside the tower all alone. Since most tourists prefer the standard scheme of visiting the inside of the Eiffel Tower - taking the elevator.
There is a large restaurant inside the first level of the Eiffel Tower. On the second level is the main observation platform. The third level of the main attraction of Paris can only be reached by an elevator. From this elevator, tourists get into a closed two-level capsule-observation deck. It protects tourists from both wind and falls. There is also a small museum - a reconstruction of the construction of the tower.
How to skip the line?
The fame of the most beautiful and popular structure makes the Eiffel Tower the most disappointing attraction in the world. And all because of the huge queues of tourists who want to be at its top. However, there are a couple of ways to skip the line to the Eiffel Tower.
- Walk up the steps at the far right leg of the Eiffel Tower. Paying 2 times less than the lift, you will not only climb to this famous landmark without queuing, but also burn calories.
- Use the official website and buy your ticket for the Parisian Celebrity Climb online.
- Arrive at a time when the line for the lift to the Eiffel Tower is minimal. The seasons are November and February. Also, the queue is much smaller after 8 pm.
Paris view
The most photographed, but no less beautiful view of Paris from the Eiffel Tower opens from the platform of the second level.
On the first level of the tower, there are restaurants that allow you to enjoy both gourmet food and a beautiful panorama of Paris. And before Christmas, a free skating rink with an area of 200 square meters opens on this level. m. Visitors can enjoy the panorama of Paris while skiing at an altitude of 60 meters.
If the height of 280 meters is not scary to you, then it is better to climb to the third level of the Eiffel Tower, from which you can see and photograph a stunning view of Paris. After all, a view from a height allows you to better understand the city.
A visit to the Eiffel Tower is on the priority list of every self-respecting tourist. For some, it is enough to take a photo in front of it, for someone it is important to go up to the observation deck, and someone rushes here in the dark to see the hourly light show - illumination and take a few pictures when the contours of the tower are up to 01: 00 are backlit.
How to get to the Eiffel Tower
- Metro: Bir-Hakeim (M6), Trocadéro (M9)
- By train RER С: Champs de Mars - Tour Eiffel
- By bus: Tour Eiffel: no. 82, 42; Champ de Mars: no. 82, 87, 69
Eiffel Tower tickets
Ticket prices vary depending on whether you are going to get up on foot or by elevator. If your plans do not include a visit to the upper platform, then you can save money by climbing on foot. But if you want to visit the third level, you will have to pay for the elevator, which will take you from the first to the third level and back.
Ticket prices up to the second level (115 meters):
- Walking adult: € 10.20
- Walking youth (12-24 years old): 5.10 euros
- Walking children (4-11 years old): € 2.50
- By elevator, adult: € 16.30
- By youth lift: 8.10 euros
- Child: 4.10 euros
Ticket prices up to the third level (276 meters):
- Adult: € 25.50
- Youth (12-24 years old): € 12.70
- Child (4-11 years old): EUR 6.40
Combined ticket for the third level (stairs + lift)
- Adult: € 19.40
- Youth (12-24 years old): € 9.70
- Child (4-11 years old): 4.90 €
Schedule
The rest of the year:
- 9:30 am - 11:45 pm - lift; the last session at 22:30 - to the second level, at 23:00 - to the third level.
- 9:30 - 18:30 - stairs; last session at 18:00.
Eiffel Tower levels
The Eiffel Tower is divided into 4 levels: ground and three floors with observation decks.
- At the ground level, there are ATMs, an information board, souvenir shops (in the tower supports), a snack bar, hydraulic machines from the times of the foundation of the structure (which can be seen only during the excursion), as well as a bust of G. Eiffel, which is located at the corner of the North Pillar ...
- At an altitude of 57 meters, it was recently reconstructed. Now you can walk on the first floor seeing the ground under your feet, the floors here are glass and transparent. Also added modern computerized information stands along the terrace. Here you can see the remainder (4.30 meters in height) of the staircase, which originally led to the very top, to the office of G. Eiffel. Children will be interested in watching a light show that tells about the Eiffel Tower in an interesting way. All entertainment services are located in the Ferrié Pavilion. Buffet, relaxation area, gift shop, G. Eiffel's room, which is used for various events, as well as the restaurant The 58 Tour Eiffel - all located on the first level of the tower.
- No less interesting will be the second level of the tower, at a height of 115 meters. In addition to the observation deck, there is a souvenir shop, a buffet with organic snacks, information stands, as well as the Jules Verne restaurant.
- At a height of over 276 meters, there is an observation deck of the Eiffel Tower, from where a gorgeous view of the capital opens. It is here that advanced tourists strive to get to, under the impression of what they have seen, drink a glass of champagne in the Champange bar (by the way, not a cheap pleasure!) In addition, here you can see the recreated study of Gustave Eiffel with wax figures, view panoramic photographs taken from different observation platforms, as well as get acquainted with the layout of the original tower built in 1889 on a scale of 1:50.
Panoramic views from the Eiffel Tower
Separately, I would like to emphasize that dressing here is practical. Bring a windproof jacket with you as the wind blows on the upper decks. Many people who visit the tower in windy weather (which is quite common here) claim that the tower shakes slightly. Therefore, take care of comfortable clothes and go to conquer the Eiffel Tower.
Eiffel Tower Photos
- (price: 43.00 €, 2.5 hours)
- (price: 25.00 €, 3 hours)
- (price: 45.00 €, 3 hours)
Skip the line to the Eiffel Tower
There are always crowds of tourists and huge queues near the Eiffel Tower. Those who do not know how to avoid a three-hour downtime stand in a general queue at the ticket office, and then there is a queue for the elevator, which takes you to all levels of the tower. It’s tiring and not very enjoyable, is it?
The way out of the situation is extremely simple - you need to buy a ticket in advance for a specific date and day. This can be done via the Internet. Since the method is known to many, it may happen that tickets for the day you need may be sold out. In rare cases, it can drive, but this is unlikely. Therefore, tickets must be looked for three months before the planned visit to Paris. These tickets go on sale at 8:30 am local time and are sold out in the first hours without a trace. 
If the date is not important, then you can find a ticket a month before the visit. By printing your ticket, you can skip the line to the Eiffel Tower, provided that you are not more than 30 minutes late from the time of visit indicated on the ticket. Therefore, it is better to be in the lobby of the tower 10 minutes before the indicated time.
The second way is to buy a guided tour, the price of which includes a skip-the-line visit to the Eiffel Tower.
- (62.50 €)
- (43.00 €)
Panoramic restaurants
It is worth mentioning the restaurants of the Eiffel Tower in short. Prices are very high, and they grow exponentially at each level.
From the windows 58 Tour Eiffel(first level) offers a magnificent view of the Seine and the famous Trocadero square. Cozy spacious halls of the restaurant are ideal for both a romantic dinner and a gala reception (up to 200 guests).
Lunch, costing about 50 euros, consists of three courses and a drink. The menu can include seafood, truffles, lamb and vegetables, salmon fillet with chestnut puree, dessert and a good wine list. Dinner provides a more interesting menu. For example, a snack of the client's choice, a glass of champagne, a main course, an original dessert and coffee will cost about 140 euros per person. A table must be reserved in advance.
Book a table at Le jules verne(second level) at the window opens a panoramic view of Paris from a height of 124 meters. The luxurious interior is furnished with antique furniture, and the first-class service, pleasant music and an impressive collection of wines justify such an impressive price tag on the menu.
A lunch of onion soup and cold foie gras with fig jam plus pistachio cakes will cost 90 euros, and a lobster dinner will cost at least 200 euros.
At the very top level is located Champagne Bar, where you can buy a glass of real French champagne. 100 ml of champagne will cost from 13 to 22 euros.
In short, if you don’t go broke, you can reduce the thickness of your wallet by eating at the Eiffel Tower and drinking a glass of champagne. Decide, as they say, whether you need it yourself or not.
History of the Eiffel Tower
In 1889, with the celebration of the centenary of the revolution, the government of the Third Republic planned to shock the public. The next world trade and industrial exhibition was timed to coincide with the anniversary of democracy. Innovations in production technologies, the emergence of new types of products required widespread advertising. The exposition was a symbol of industrialization and an open area to showcase the achievements of the industry. This type of presentation of goods and technologies began to be carried out on an ongoing basis.
Architects, wishing to look into the future and amaze the imagination of visitors, offered various options for the appearance of the pavilions. One of the original structures was the 115-meter-high covered car gallery.
Particular attention was paid to the design of the entrance portal. The organizers organized a special competition. More than a hundred projects were proposed for consideration. Among them was a construction in the form of a huge guillotine - a symbol of the French Revolution. The main requirements were as follows:
- originality of the architectural appearance;
- economic efficiency;
- the possibility of dismantling after the end of the exposition.
The proposal of G. Eiffel's company, which designed a steel tower with a height of 300 m, came in handy. There were no precedents for this structure in the world. However, the engineering calculations were based on significant experience in the construction of railway bridges, the complexity and responsibility of the structures of which were not inferior to the conceived tower. Well, the futuristic design was beyond competition.
These arguments persuaded the members of the commission in favor of Eiffel's proposal, and he was granted the privilege of inventing. Engineers from the company Maurice Kehlen and Emil Nugier took part in the creation of the project.
The Parisians did not share the optimism of the exhibition organizers. The general public, fearing that the Cyclopean structure would spoil the special architectural appearance of the capital, took up arms against both the Eiffel itself and the organizing committee. Soon after the results of the competition were published in the Parisian newspaper "Le Temps" (Time), a protest was published by the most prominent figures of art, including Guy de Moppassan, E. Zola, A. Dumas (junior). Writers, painters, sculptors expressed outrage at the construction of the useless and "terrible Eiffel Tower". The church did not stand aside either.
The clerics, supporting the general hysteria, predicted the imminent fall of the tower and the subsequent end of the world. The inertness of the clergy, bordering on ignorance, is a very characteristic phenomenon when creating revolutionary projects. What offensive labels did not brand the brainchild of Eiffel: an iron monster, a skeleton of a bell tower, a sieve in the form of a candle.
But progress and common sense cannot be stopped. The organizing committee of the exhibition, having approved the construction, provided only less than a quarter of the necessary funds. Eiffel offered to finance the project from his own company, if he was given the exclusive right to make a profit over the entire life cycle. An agreement was reached and the author was given one and a half million francs in gold. The wonder tower has been built. The costs paid off in just a year.
After 20 years of operation, according to the contract, the tower was to be dismantled. Only the intervention of a powerful lobbyist could save it from demolition. And such was found in the person of the military department. Back in 1898, a transmitter was installed on the upper platform and the first radio communication session was held. Eiffel suggested that the Ministry of Defense use the tower as an antenna to transmit radio signals over long distances. Thus, he was not only the builder, but also the savior of the unique structure, which has become the most striking symbol of France.
The "Iron Lady", who glorified her creator, overshadowed his talent as a bridge builder and ingenious engineer. Few people know that Gustave Eiffel designed the internal structure of the Statue of Liberty in 1885. The engineer himself said with humor that he should be jealous of the tower: the brainchild of a famous creator.
The new building was not only the personification of creative upsurge, but also the embodiment of a technological breakthrough in metallurgy. A special kind of soft iron served as the material for the tower. It was produced by a puddling process, during which cast iron was converted into low-carbon iron. The strength characteristics allowed the architects to realize the most daring ideas. Due to its lightness and strength, it became possible to build large structures.
Construction began on January 26, 1887 on the Field of Mars with earthworks for the construction of a foundation pit. To prevent groundwater from penetrating into the depression, a system of caisson devices worked out during the construction of bridges was used, which created excessive pressure in the working space and prevented moisture penetration.
At the same time, in-line production of metal frame parts was launched at the Eiffel plant on the outskirts of Paris Lavallois-Parre. The total number of load-bearing and shaped elements reached 18 thousand; two and a half million rivets were made for their assembly. The designers, using the techniques of shipbuilding technologies, meticulously traced the geometry of each type of segments and fastening points of riveted and bolted joints to the micron. Technological holes were drilled at the factory. The already made parts for other structures also went into action. Each set of metal elements was supplied with detailed drawings and installation recommendations.
In order to improve the aesthetic appearance of the building, the architect Stefan Sauvestre suggested revealing the metal supports of the first tier with decorative stone, as well as erecting arched structures to decorate the main entrance to the exhibition. If this solution were implemented, the tower would be devoid of a holistic architectural exterior.
To facilitate assembly at high heights, the largest structural fragments weighed no more than three tons. When the height of the structure being erected exceeded stationary cranes, Eiffel designed original lifting mechanisms that move along the rail guides of future elevators.
The high culture of production made it possible to achieve unprecedented rates of construction. With the enlarged assembly at the construction site, the need to adjust individual elements was reduced to almost zero - defects in work were excluded. At the same time, only about 300 engineers, foremen and assembly workers were involved in the construction. The construction work was completed in two years, two months and five days. Eiffel paid particular attention to safety. During the construction period, accidents were avoided, only one person died. This tragic incident had nothing to do with the production process.
On March 31, 1889, Gustave Eiffel invited officials to climb the steps to the top of the tallest structure in the world.
The curvilinear shape of the tower has evoked a lot of criticism from the specialists contemporary to the author of the project. However, Eiffel's daring decision was dictated by the need to withstand significant wind loads and linear expansion of the metal during the hot season. Life has confirmed that the engineer was right: in the entire history of observations during the most powerful hurricane (the wind speed reached almost 200 km / h), the top of the tower deviated by only 12 cm.
The structure is an elongated pyramid formed by four inclined columns. The columns, each of which has a separate foundation, are connected at two points: at a height of 57.6 m and 115.7 m. The lower connection is arranged in the form of an arch. On the vault rests the first platform - a square with a side of 65 m. There is a restaurant of the same name and a souvenir shop. On the second tier - 35 m side of the platform - there is also the Jules Verne restaurant and an extensive observation deck. Initially, it housed reservoirs for the hydraulic system of lift mechanisms. The uppermost platform measures 16 by 16 m. A separate system of passenger lifts lifts visitors to each of the tiers. Two original elevators, installed back in 1899, have survived to this day. If someone decides to climb to the highest platform on foot, he will have to overcome 1,710 steps.
The main parameters of the tower are as follows:
- the total weight of the structure is 10 100 tons;
- weight of the metal frame 7,300 tons;
- the initial height of the structure is 300.6 m, after the construction of a new antenna in 2010 - 324 m;
- the height of the observation deck is 276 m;
- the greatest length of the side of the base is 125 m.
If all the used metal is melted and poured over the base area, the height of the massif will be only six meters. This speaks of the exceptional ergonomics of the design. All metal surfaces are painted every seven years. This work takes up to 60 tons of material. The tower was painted in different colors at different times. For the last decades, the original color scheme, called "brown-eiffel", has been used.
The opening of the world exhibition was accompanied by a bright, for those times, tower illumination. 10 thousand acetylene lamps were used. The lighthouse installed at the top was illuminated with three colors of the French tricolor. At the beginning of the 20th century, an electrical lighting system began to be installed on the structure.
In the mid-1920s, renowned automobile tycoon Henri Citroen turned the tower into the world's tallest advertisement. Using 125,000 light bulbs across the entire height, he staged a light show that alternately depicted ten images: shooting stars, the silhouette of the structure, the date of construction and the name of the eponymous concern. This event lasted nine years until 1934. In 1985, Pierre Bidault came up with the idea of illuminating the tower structure from below with spotlights. More than three hundred custom-made lighting fixtures were installed at different levels. The sodium lamps painted the metal giant golden at night.
Modern technologies in the lighting industry have given the world famous monument a new look. In 2003, a team of industrial climbers of 30 people in a few months installed a 40-kilometer wiring system, including 20 thousand light bulbs. The cost of this update cost four and a half million euros.
In May 2006, in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the European Union, the tower was first illuminated in blue. And in 2008, when France presided over the Council of Europe, for six months the building was distinguished by its original illumination: a blue background with gold stars. It should be noted that the lighting system of the main symbol of France is an original design and is protected by copyright law.
How to get there
Address: 5 Avenue Anatole France, Paris 75007Telephone: +33 892 70 12 39
Site: tour-eiffel.fr
Underground: Bir-Hakeim
RER train: Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel
Working hours: 9:00 - 23:00; 9:00 - 02:00 (in summer)
Ticket prices
- Adult: 17 €
- Discount: 14.5 €
- Child: 10 €
Together with a television antenna the height of the eiffel tower- 320 m, Eiffel Tower weight- 7000 tons, and the whole structure consists of 15 thousand metal parts. The entire mass rests on a foundation that goes to a depth of 7 m, and on four colossal pylons, anchored by huge cement blocks.
The weight of the metal structure is 7,300 tons (total weight is 10,100 tons). Today, three towers could be erected from this metal at once. The foundation was taken out of concrete blocks. Vibrations of the tower during storms do not exceed 15 cm.
The tower is divided into three levels:
- on the first, at a height of 57 m, there is a bar and a restaurant
- on the second, at an altitude of 115 m, there is another bar and restaurant
- the third is located at an altitude of 274 m
- the last level, 300 m high, contains television equipment and antennas.
By elevator or on foot (1652 steps) you can climb to the top, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the entire city.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.01.2016 12:21
Throughout its history, it has repeatedly changed its paint color - from yellow to red-brown. Over the past decades, the Eiffel Tower has been invariably painted in the so-called "Eiffel brown" - an officially patented color close to the natural shade of bronze.
The Iron Lady resists the ravages of time with 57 tons of paint, which must be renewed every 7 years.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.01.2016 12:24
Weight - 7,300 tons (total weight 10,100 tons). Today, three towers could be erected from this metal at once. The foundation was taken out of concrete blocks. The vibrations of the Eiffel Tower during storms do not exceed 15 cm.
The lower floor is a pyramid (129.2 m each side at the base), formed by 4 columns, connected at a height of 57.63 m with an arched vault; on the vault is the first platform Eiffel tower... The platform is a square (65 m across).
On this platform, a second pyramid-tower rises, also formed by 4 columns, connected by a vault, on which (at a height of 115.73 m) the second platform (a square of 30 m in diameter) is located.
Four columns, towering on the second platform, converge in a pyramid and, gradually intertwining, form a colossal pyramidal column (190 m), carrying a third platform (at a height of 276.13 m), also square in shape (16.5 m in diameter); a lighthouse with a dome rises on it, above which, at an altitude of 300 m, there is a platform (1.4 m in diameter).
On Eiffel Tower stairs (1792 steps) and elevators lead.
The halls of the restaurant were erected on the first platform; the second platform housed tanks with machine oil for a hydraulic lifting machine (elevator) and a restaurant in a glass gallery. The third platform housed the astronomical and meteorological observatories and the physics room. The lighthouse light was visible at a distance of 10 km.
The erected tower impressed with its daring decision of its form. Eiffel was severely criticized for the project and at the same time accused of trying to create something artistic and non-artistic.
Together with his engineers - specialists in bridge building, Eiffel was engaged in calculating the strength of the wind, knowing full well that if they are building the tallest structure in the world, then first of all they must make sure that it is resistant to wind loads.
The original agreement with Eiffel was to dismantle the tower 20 years after it was built. As you might guess, it was never implemented, and moreover, the lease was extended for another 70 years. The history of the Eiffel Tower continued.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.01.2016 12:32
Under the first balcony, on all four sides of the parapet, the names of 72 outstanding French scientists and engineers, as well as those who made a special contribution to the creation of Gustave Eiffel, are engraved.
These inscriptions appeared at the beginning of the 20th century and were restored in 1986-1987 by the Société Nouvelle d'exploitation de la Tour Eiffel company, hired by the City Hall to operate the Eiffel Tower.
The tower itself is currently the property of the city of Paris.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.01.2016 12:36
Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.01.2016 12:42
In total, four levels can be distinguished: the lower (ground), 1st floor (57 meters), 2nd floor (115 meters) and 3rd floor (276 meters). Each of them is remarkable in its own way.
On the lower level there are ticket offices where you can buy tickets for Eiffel Tower, an information stand where you can grab useful brochures and booklets, as well as 4 gift shops - one in each column of the tower. In addition, there is a post office in the southern column, so you can send a postcard to your family and friends right from the foot of the famous building. Also, before the start of the conquest of the Eiffel Tower, there is an option to have a snack in the buffet located right there. From the lower level, you can get to the compartments where old hydraulic machines are installed, which in the past lifted lifts to the top of the tower. You can only admire them as part of excursion groups.
The 1st floor, which, if desired, can be climbed on foot, will delight tourists with another gift shop and restaurant 58 Tour Eiffel. However, in addition to this, there is a preserved fragment of a spiral staircase, which at one time led from the second floor to the third, and at the same time to the Eiffel office. You can learn a lot about the tower by going to the Cineiffel Center, where an animation dedicated to the history of the building is shown. Children will certainly be interested in getting to know Gus - the hand-drawn mascot of the Eiffel Tower and the character of a special children's guide book. Also on the 1st floor you will be able to admire posters, photographs, all kinds of illustrations from different times dedicated to the "Iron Lady".
On the second floor, the first thing that attracts attention is the general panorama of Paris, opening from a 115-meter height. Here you can replenish your stock of souvenirs, find out a lot about the history of the tower at special stands, and at the same time order yourself a delicious lunch at the Jules Verne restaurant.
The 3rd floor is the main goal of many tourists, in fact, the top of the Eiffel Tower, located at an altitude of 276 meters, where lifts with transparent glasses lead, so that already on the way there a stunning view of the French capital opens up. At the top, you can indulge yourself with a glass of champagne at the Champange bar. Climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris is an experience for the rest of your life.
The world-famous symbol of France, the most famous landmark of Paris, filmed in hundreds of films, sung in poetry, reproduced millions of times in souvenirs and on postcards, an object of admiration and ridicule, captured in paintings and cartoons - all this is the Eiffel Tower. At first, it caused a lot of controversy and massive discontent, it has become a favorite meeting place for Parisians and an integral part of the image of Paris. More than 6 million people visit the tower annually; it ranks first in the world among paid attractions in popularity. In total, over a quarter of a billion people have visited the Eiffel Tower during its existence.
History of the Eiffel Tower
"There is nothing more permanent than temporary" - this is a common expression with good reason applicable to the Eiffel Tower. In 1889, the World Industrial Exhibition was planned in Paris, at which it was supposed to present all the latest achievements of mankind in science and technology. The year of the exhibition was not chosen by chance - France was preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the taking of the Bastille.
As conceived by the organizing committee, the symbol of the exhibition was to become a structure that would embody scientific and technological progress and demonstrate the country's achievements. A competition was announced, for which 107 projects were submitted. Among them were very peculiar ones, for example, a huge model of the guillotine, a sad attribute of the Great French Revolution. One of the requirements for the project was the ease of dismantling the future structure, since they intended to remove it after the exhibition.
The winner of the competition was the French engineer and industrialist Gustave Eiffel, who presented a project of an openwork structure made of ductile iron with a height of 300 meters. Eiffel's full-fledged partners were his employees Maurice Köschlen and Emile Nugier, who proposed the very idea of a metal frame tower.
In the initial version, the future structure was too “industrial” in appearance, and the Parisian public actively opposed the appearance of such a structure, which, in their opinion, destroyed the aesthetic appearance of Paris. The artistic processing of the project was entrusted to the architect Stefan Sauvestre, who proposed to design the lower supporting part of the tower in the form of arches and arrange an entrance to the exhibition under them. The pillars themselves were supposed to be lined with stone slabs, glazed halls should be built on some floors, and a number of decorative elements were to be added.
The project was patented by Eiffel and his two co-authors. Later, Eiffel bought out the shares of Köschlen and Nugier and became the sole owner of the copyright.
The estimated cost of the work was 6 million francs, but eventually increased to 7.8 million.The state and the municipality could only allocate 1.5 million francs, and Eiffel committed to find the missing funds, provided that the tower was leased to him for 20 years , until dismantling. After signing the agreement, Eiffel created a joint-stock company with a capital of 5 million francs, half of which was contributed by the engineer himself, half - by three Parisian banks.
The publication of the final draft and the terms of the agreement caused a flurry of protests from the French intelligentsia. A petition was sent to the municipality, which was signed by more than three hundred artists, architects, writers and musicians, including Maupassant, Charles Gounod, Alexandre Dumas-son. The tower was called "lamppost", "iron monster", "hated column", urging the authorities to prevent the appearance in Paris of a structure that will disfigure its architectural appearance for 20 years.
However, the mood changed quite quickly. The same Maupassant later liked to dine in one of the tower's restaurants. When pointed out to him the inconsistency of his behavior, he calmly replied that the Eiffel Tower is the only place in Paris from where it is not visible.
The entire structure consisted of 18 thousand elements, which were manufactured at the Eiffel's own machine-building plant in the town of Levallois-Perret near Paris. The weight of each part did not exceed three tons, all mounting holes and parts were carefully adjusted to make assembly as easy as possible and to avoid alterations. The first tiers of the tower were assembled using tower cranes, then they switched to the use of small cranes of Eiffel's own design, which moved along the rails intended for elevators. The elevators themselves were supposed to be driven by hydraulic pumps.
Thanks to the unprecedented accuracy of the drawings (the error was no more than 0.1 mm) and the filigree adjustment of the parts to each other already at the factory, the pace of work was very high. 300 workers took part in the construction. Working at heights was very risky, and Eiffel paid special attention to safety, thanks to which there were no fatal accidents on the construction site.
Finally, 2 years and 2 months after the foundation stone was laid, the Eiffel invited municipal officials to inspect the tower. The elevators were not working yet, and the unfortunate employees had to climb the stairs of 1,710 steps.
The three-hundred-meter tower, which became the tallest structure in the world, was a resounding success. During the first six months of the exhibition, the tower, christened "the iron lady" for its graceful graceful silhouette, was visited by about 2 million visitors. Revenues from ticket sales, postcards, etc., already by the end of 1889 covered 75% of the construction costs.
By the time of the planned dismantling of the tower in 1910, it became clear that it would be better to leave it in its place. It was actively used for radio and telegraph communications, in addition, the tower fell in love with the general public and became a recognizable symbol of Paris in the world. The lease was extended for 70 years, but subsequently Eiffel renounced both the contract and his copyright in favor of the state.
The Eiffel Tower is associated with a number of technical breakthroughs in the field of communications. At the beginning of the twentieth century, experiments with a wireless telegraph were carried out on it, and in 1906 a permanent radio station was installed. It was she who made it possible in 1914, during the battle on the Marne, to intercept a German transmission and organize a counteroffensive. In 1925, the first television signal was broadcast from the tower, and 10 years later, permanent television broadcasting began. Thanks to the installation of television antennas, the tower's height has grown to 324 meters.
The case of Hitler's arrival in occupied Paris in 1940 is widely known. The Fuehrer was about to climb the tower, but right before his arrival, the elevator maintenance workers disabled them. Hitler had to confine himself to a walk at the foot of the tower. Subsequently, specialists were sent from Germany, but they did not manage to establish the operation of the elevators, and the German flag never hoisted at the top of the symbol of Paris. The elevators started working again in 1944, a few hours after the liberation of the city.
The history of the tower could have ended in the same year 1944, when Hitler ordered to blow it up along with many other attractions, but the commandant of Paris, Dietrich von Choltitz, did not obey the order. This did not have any unpleasant consequences for him, since he immediately surrendered to the British.
"Iron Lady" of Paris
Today, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular places in the French capital, both among tourists and among Parisians themselves. According to statistics, the largest number of tourists who come to Paris for the first time go to the Eiffel Tower. As for the residents of the city, among young Parisians there is a widespread tradition of declaring their love or making a marriage proposal at the Eiffel Tower, as if calling the whole of Paris as witnesses.
Eiffel himself, by the way, never called his brainchild the Eiffel Tower - he said "three hundred meters".
The metal structure weighs 7,300 tons and is very robust and stable. Its deflection in a strong wind is 12 cm, at high temperatures - 18 cm.It is interesting that in the work on the structures of fastenings, Eiffel was guided not only by technical calculations, but also by the work of paleontologist Hermann von Mayer, who studied the structure of the joints of humans and animals, their ability to carry heavy load.
The lower floor is formed by four converging columns connected by an arched vault at a height of about 57 m. On the platform they support, there are also four columns carrying a square platform with a side of 35 m. It is located at a height of 116 m. The upper part of the tower is a powerful column on which there is a third platform (276 m.). The highest platform (1.4 X 1.4 m) is located at an altitude of 300 m. You can climb the tower by elevator or by stairs in 1792 steps.
Television and radio equipment, cellular antennas, a beacon and a weather station are installed between the third and fourth sites.
Initially, the tower was illuminated by gas lanterns, of which there were 10 thousand. In 1900, electric lighting was installed on the tower. In 2003, the lighting system was modernized, and in 2015, LED lamps began to be used. Light bulbs (there are 20 thousand of them) are easy to change, which allows, if necessary, arrange multi-colored illumination.
The color of the tower itself has changed several times. Now it has a bronze tint, specially patented for the Eiffel Tower. They paint it every 7 years, spending 57 tons of paint each time. At the same time, all parts of the tower are inspected, which, if necessary, are replaced with new ones.
There are souvenir shops in the columns of the first tier for visitors to the tower, and there is also a post office in the southern pillar. Here, in a separate room, you can see the hydraulic mechanisms that once lifted the elevators.
The first site houses the 58 Eiffel restaurant, a souvenir shop and a cinema center showing films about the construction of the Eiffel Tower. Here also begins an old spiral staircase, along which it was once possible to climb to the upper tiers and to the apartments of the Eiffel itself, located on the third platform. On the parapet you can read the names of 72 famous scientists, engineers and industrialists of France. In winter, a small ice rink is poured on the ground floor for skating enthusiasts.
Eiffel's apartment was his favorite pastime when he came to the capital. It is spacious enough, furnished in the 19th century style, and even has a grand piano. In it, the engineer repeatedly received guests of honor who came to look at the tower, including Edison. The rich Parisians offered Eiffel a lot of money for apartments, or at least for the right to spend the night in them, but he refused every time.
The second platform houses Maupassant's favorite Jules Verne restaurant, an observation deck and a permanent gift shop. Here you can also see an exhibition about the construction of the tower.
The rise to the third floor is carried out using three elevators. Previously, there was an observatory and a meteorological laboratory, but now the third platform is a magnificent observation deck with a fantastic view of Paris. In the center of the site there is a bar for those wishing to admire the view of the city with a glass of wine in hand.
Now it is impossible to imagine that the Eiffel Tower was once going to be demolished. On the contrary, it is the most copied landmark in the world. In total, more than 30 copies of the tower of varying degrees of accuracy are known, but how many of them are known only to local residents, in fact, no one will say.
Construction Eiffel tower, which later became the symbol of Paris, was completed in 1889, initially it was conceived as a temporary structure that served as the entrance arch of the Paris World Exhibition of 1889.
The exhibition was held in Paris and was timed to coincide with the centenary of the French Revolution. The Paris city government approached renowned French engineers with an offer to take part in an architectural competition. At such a competition, it was necessary to find a structure that visually demonstrates the engineering and technological achievements of the country.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.01.2016 13:02
1886 year. In three years, the World Industrial Exhibition EXPO will begin work in Paris. The organizers of the exposition announced a competition for a temporary architectural structure that would serve as an entrance to the exhibition and would personify the technical revolution of its time, the beginning of grandiose transformations in the life of mankind. The proposed building was supposed to generate income and be easily dismantled.
On May 1, 1886, a competition for architectural and engineering projects for the future World Exhibition was opened in France, in which 107 applicants took part. There were various extravagant ideas under consideration, among them, for example, a giant guillotine, which was supposed to remind of the French Revolution of 1789. 
Among the participants in the competition was the engineer and designer Gustave Eiffel, who proposed a project unseen even then in world construction - a 300-meter metal tower - the tallest structure in the world. He got the very idea of the tower from the drawings of his company's employees, Maurice Koehlen and Emil Nugier. Gustav Eiffel receives a joint patent for the project with them, and subsequently buys from them the exclusive right to the future Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel project becomes one of the 4 winners and then the engineer makes the final changes to it, finding a compromise between the original purely engineering design scheme and the decorative option. Thanks to the changes made by the engineer to the decoration of the tower, the organizers of the competition gave preference to his "Iron Lady".
In the end, the committee stops at the Eiffel plan, although the very idea of the tower did not belong to him, but to two of his employees: Maurice Koehlen and Emile Nugier. It was possible to assemble such a complex structure as a tower within two years only because Eiffel applied special construction methods. This explains the decision of the exhibition committee in favor of this project.
In order for the tower to better meet the aesthetic tastes of the demanding Parisian public, the architect Stephane Sauvestre suggested sheathe the basement supports of the tower with stone, tie its supports and the ground floor platform with the help of majestic arches, which would simultaneously become the main entrance to the exhibition, place spacious towers on the floors. glazed halls, to give the top of the tower a rounded shape and use a variety of decorative elements to decorate it.
In January 1887, the Eiffel, the state and the municipality of Paris signed an agreement, according to which Eiffel was given a 25-year operational lease for the tower for personal use, and also provided for the payment of a cash subsidy of 1.5 million gold francs, which amounted to 25% of all expenses for construction of the tower. On December 31, 1888, in order to raise the missing funds, a joint-stock company was created with an authorized capital of 5 million francs. Half of this amount is funds contributed by three banks, the other half is the personal funds of Eiffel himself.
The final construction budget was 7.8 million francs.
- The Eiffel Tower is the emblem of Paris and the high-altitude antenna.
- 10,000 people can be on the tower at the same time.
- The project was drawn up by the architect Stéphane Sauvestre, but the tower was built by the engineer Gustave Eiffel (1823-1923), better known to the public. Other works by Eiffel: Ponte de Dona Maria Pia, viaduct de Garabi, steel frame for the New York Statue of Liberty.
- Since its inception, the tower has been visited by about 250 million people.
- The weight of the metal part of the structure is 7,300 tons, and the weight of the entire tower is 10,100 tons.
- In 1925, the rogue Viktor Lustig managed to sell the iron structure for scrap, and he was able to pull this trick twice!
- Weather permitting, from the top of the tower, Paris and its surroundings can be viewed within a radius of up to 70 kilometers. It is believed that the optimal time to visit the Eiffel Tower, providing the best visibility, is one hour before sunset.
- The tower also holds a sad record - about 400 people committed suicide by throwing themselves down from its upper platform. In 2009, the terrace was fenced off with protective barriers and now this place is very popular with romantic couples kissing in front of all of Paris.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.01.2016 13:32
One of the most talented swindlers of the 20th century was Count Victor Lustig (1890-1947). This man spoke five languages, received an excellent education. He was cocky and fearless. There are 45 known pseudonyms, and in the United States alone he was arrested 50 times.
"As long as there are fools in the world, We live by deception, therefore, from our hands."
There are a great many smart fraudsters who use not very smart fellow citizens for their own purposes. But in order for your name to be included not only in criminal chronicles, but also in legends, you really need to have extraordinary abilities. One of these scammers is Victor Lustig.
Among his exploits are both minor sins and grandiose scams. A young man from a poor Czech family presented himself as a ruined Austrian count. And so skillfully he adhered to this role - that no one doubted his title. Fluency in five languages, knowledge of all the subtleties of secular and business etiquette, the ability to freely behave in society - these are the qualities thanks to which he was his own both in high society and in a gangster environment. However, in addition to his native “count” surname, the swindler used several dozen more pseudonyms for his activities. Under them, Victor went on various cruises and arranged on board ships various raffles and lotteries from those that we today habitually call "scams". 
Fair play, or a scam with Al Capone
One of the legends associated with the name of Lustig is the story of his "collaboration" with Al Capone. One day, in 1926, a tall, well-dressed young man visited a famous gangster of the time. The man introduced himself as Count Victor Lustig. He asked for 50 thousand dollars to double this amount.
The gangster was not at all sorry to invest such a small amount in a dubious enterprise, and he gave them to the count. The deadline for the fulfillment of the plan is 2 months. Lustig took the money, put it in a bank vault in Chicago, and then went to New York. Lustig made no attempt to double the amount left in Chicago.
Two months later, he returned, took the money from the bank and went to the gangster. There he apologized, said that the plan did not work and gave the money back. To this the gangster replied: “I expected 100 thousand dollars or nothing. But ... get my money back ... Yes, you are an honest man! If you're in trouble, take this at least. " And he gave the count 5 thousand dollars. But these 5 thousand were the target of Lustig's scam! 
Scrap metal, or how the Eiffel Tower was sold
But what is a five thousand "bonus"? And the sums that Victor rescued as a result of lotteries, fraud with banks and not too fair playing poker seemed to him scanty. The soul demanded scope. So that the shenanigans are great. Well, the proceeds, of course, should not lag behind either.
Lustig was thirsty for action and the opportunity was not long in coming. In May 1925, Victor Lustig arrived in Paris with his friend and companion Dan Collins. On the very first day of their arrival, their attention was attracted by an article in a local newspaper. It told that the famous one is in a terrible state and the city authorities are considering the option of dismantling it. 
The idea of a brilliant scam was born instantly. To implement it, a luxurious room was rented in an expensive hotel and documents were made, claiming that Viktor Lustig is the deputy head of the Ministry of Post and Telegraph. Then invitations were sent to the five largest metal dealers. The letters contained an invitation to an important and absolutely secret meeting with the deputy general director of the department at the Crillon Hotel, at that time the most prestigious hotel in Paris.
After meeting the guests in a luxurious apartment, Lustig began to make a lengthy speech that the content Eiffel tower costs the state a pretty penny. That it was built as a temporary structure for the World Exhibition in Paris, and now, 30 years later, it is so dilapidated that it simply poses a threat to Paris and the city authorities are considering the possibility of demolishing the tower. Therefore, a kind of tender for the purchase of the tower was announced among those present.
Such a proposal could not but arouse the interest of those invited, but Andre Poisson was especially interested in him. He was inspired not only by the obvious financial benefits of the deal, but also by the opportunity to go down in history. Maybe it was this vain interest that was noticed by Lustig and it was he who became the reason that after some time it was Monsieur Poisson who was appointed a confidential meeting.
During this meeting, Victor Lustig behaved somewhat uneasy. He told Poisson that he has every chance of winning the tender and for a complete victory you just need to "promote" his candidacy a little with a small reward to Victor personally. Prior to this meeting, Monsieur Poisson had suspicions: why all the meetings related to the tender take place in such a secret atmosphere, and even not in the offices of the ministry, but in the hotel room. But such extortion by an official, oddly enough, dispelled Poisson's last doubts about a suspicious transaction. He counted out several large bills and persuaded Lustig to take them, then wrote out a check for a quarter of a million francs, received the documents for the Eiffel Tower and left happy. When Monsieur Poisson began to suspect something was wrong, Victor Lustig had already fled to Vienna with a suitcase of cash received from a check he had written. 
Even despite the fact that Victor Lustig fell into the hands of the police more than fifty times - he always managed to get out of the water. The police had to let go of the talented swindler, because they simply did not have enough evidence to prove his guilt. Victor Lustig was not only a talented swindler, but also a good psychologist. Most of the victims he deceived did not go to the police, not wanting to look like fools in the eyes of the public. Even Monsieur Poisson, who "bought" the Eiffel Tower for a substantial sum, was more likely to part with his money than to become the laughing stock of all of Paris and lose his reputation as an astute businessman. 
The story of the Eiffel Tower became Lustig's swan song. Some time after the deal with Poisson, he returned to Paris and decided to sell the tower again to one of the bidders. But the deceived businessman quickly saw through the fraudster and reported to the police. Lustig managed to escape from the French police to the United States. But there he was caught and put on trial. American justice has also accumulated a lot of claims against the talented swindler. In December 1935, the count was arrested. He received 15 years in prison for counterfeiting dollars, as well as 5 years for escaping from another prison just a month ago. He was transferred to the famous Alcatraz Island Prison near San Francisco, where he died of pneumonia in March 1947.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.01.2016 14:08
