Things You May Not Have Known About The Eiffel Tower
Originally posted July 16, 2022
Photo Credit: Unsplash
We were doing a little research on Paris, dreaming up our next European adventure and we learned a ton of fun facts about the Eiffel Tower! There is plenty to learn about this amazing structure so we thought we’d share some of the coolest things with you! So here are 7 things you may not have known about the Eiffel Tower!
1. The tower was built by a French engineer named Gustave Eiffel and was originally produced as one of the main attractions at the Paris World’s Fair in 1889.
2. The Eiffel Tower is made of iron, not steel! The structure is made of puddle iron which is when iron goes through a process called “puddling” to eliminate excess carbon. This gives an end result of almost pure iron. The tower is repainted every seven years to protect it from corrosion!
3. The tower is 330 meters and can be seen from all over Paris! When illuminated the beacon at the top reaches out up to 80 kilometres at 360 degrees!
4. The tower was built in 2 years, 2 months and 5 days. At the time of construction, from 1887 to 1889, this quick construction time was an unparalleled achievement!
5. Just over 6 million people climb the Eiffel Tower every single year!
6. The tower weights approximately 10,100 tons, that’s about 20,200,000 pounds!
7. Gustave Eiffel originally had a 20 year permit to use the land the tower is on and was potentially slated for demolition in 1910! But as advances in wireless telegraphy emerged it became apparent to Gustave Eiffel that there could be a scientific reason to justify it’s existence beyond 1910 and on Nov 5 1898 Eugene Ducretet established the first radio contact in Morse code between the Eiffel Tower and the Pantheon. A transmitting station was installed permanently on the tower and has been used as a transmitter and receiver for radio broadcasts since then!
This tower was first a symbol of French ingenuity and industrial prowess but has grown into an icon that resonates with people around the world. Dreamers, artists, romantics, engineers, scientists, writers and more all look to this incredible combination of architecture and art for inspiration, comfort and hope. (Ooh we just gave ourselves goosebumps thinking about that!)
If seeing this incredible landmark has been on your bucket list for years, why not make 2024 the year you do??
Source: https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/the-monument/key-figures
Source: https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/landmarks-monuments/eiffel-tower-facts
Are you planning your next vacation? Our team of agents can help! Whether you’re planning to eat a croissant under the Eiffel Tower or wanting to visit a Disney Park, we’ve got you covered! Fill out a no-obligation, free quote request form to get started today!