EIFFEL TOWER - Paris
The Eiffel Tower in Paris was
built by Gustave Eiffel, a French engineer specialized in revolutionary
steel constructions, at the occasion of the 1889 world exhibition.
The Eiffel Tower weighs 7000 tons, but the pressure it applies
on the ground is only equivalent to that of a chair with a man seated
on it! Each one of the about 12,000 iron pieces were designed separately
to give them exactly the shape needed. All pieces were prefabricated
and fit together using approx. 7 million nails.
The Eiffel Tower caused a fierce polemic, meeting nearly unanimous
hostility from the Parisian artistic world. Once the Tower was finished
the criticism burnt itself out in the presence of the completed
masterpiece, and in the light of the enormous popular success with
which it was greeted. It received two million visitors during the
World's Fair of 1889.
With its 300 meters, it remained the world highest building until
the construction of the Chrysler building in New York City in 1929.
Now 320 meters high with its television antennas, it still incredibly
towers above Paris, a city almost free from skyscrapers. Open air
elevators bring you up to the first (57 meters high), the second
(115 meters high) and the third level (276 meters high). Each one
provides different and interesting views of Paris and the surrounding
Ile de France region.
On the ground: The machinery of the 1899 elevator. Every visitor
with a ticket to visit the monument can watch the machinery of the
corresponding elevator in operation in the East and West pillars.
This voyage underground, in an atmosphere which evokes Jules Verne,
lets you discover the imposing hydraulic machines designed by Gustave
Eiffel. This machinery is still used after being restored and computerized.
First level: 58 meters (189 feet). Observatory from which to
study the movements of the Eiffel Tower's summit. Kiosk presentation
about the mythic painting of the Eiffel Tower. Space Cineiffel:
offers an exceptional panorama of sights from the Tower. Souvenir
shops. Restaurant. Post office, with special stamps "Paris
Eiffel Tower ".
Second level: 115.73 meters (379 feet, 8 inches). Panorama of Paris.
Telescopes, shops. Animated displays on the operation of the elevators.
Jules Verne Restaurant (extremely expensive, reservations absolutely
necessary; phone 33 1 45 55 61 44).
Third level: 276.13 meters (905 feet, 11 inches). Exceptional panoramic
views, day or night, of Paris and its surroundings. Recently restored
office of Gustave Eiffel, showing him welcoming Thomas Edison. Panoramic
guide displays to aid orientation. Dioramas presenting the history
of this platform.
Consistently modern, the Eiffel Tower makes a special effort to
surprise visitors. Do not miss the latest futurist, interactive
attraction the Eiffel Tower Visitors Galaxy where
you take part in the construction of a virtual Eiffel Tower which
you can recover later on the Internet. In conjunction with the Caisse
Nationale des Monuments Historiques et des Sites, the Tower offers
groups a series of conference tours, highlighting the history of
the monument in its time, its contribution to modern metal architecture,
and all the scientific and technical applications experimented on
Champs de Mars, Paris 7e
How to get there
Metro line 6 : Bir Hakeim
Bus: 42, 69, 72, 82
RER C : Champs de Mars
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