| The Eiffel Tower in Paris has become an icon for | | | | monument from rusting! |
| France and is known around the world for its daring | | | | There are three levels in all and the stairs begin at |
| and unusual structure. | | | | the south towers, but both the first and second |
| This Paris landmark was named after its engineer | | | | levels are accessible by stairs and lifts. Yet the third |
| designer Gustave Eiffel and was constructed | | | | level summit is only accessible by lift. On the first |
| between 1887 and 1889, and was built as the | | | | platform, the stairs continue up from the east tower. |
| entrance arch for the Exposition Universelle, which | | | | Taking the steps is not for the feint hearted, as the |
| was a World's Fair marking the centennial celebration | | | | actual count of stairs includes 9 steps to the ticket |
| of the French Revolution, with the Eiffel Tower being | | | | booth at the base of the Eiffel Tower, 328 steps to |
| inaugurated on 31 March 1889, and opened on 6 May | | | | the first level, 340 steps to the second level, and 18 |
| 1889. | | | | steps to the lift platform on the second level. And |
| With 200,000,000 people having visited the Eiffel | | | | when exiting the lift at the third level, there are |
| Tower since its construction, it makes this monument | | | | another 15 more steps to ascend to the upper |
| the most visited paid monument per year and being | | | | observation platform. Whether you think this a good |
| the tallest monument in the world until 1930 and still | | | | idea or not, the actual step count is printed |
| the tallest in Paris, the Eiffel Tower has seen some | | | | periodically on the side of the stairs to give you an |
| major events over its time. | | | | indication of your progress and there are a total of |
| But when the Eiffel Tower was built, it was met with | | | | 710 steps!!! |
| resistance, as the public felt it was an eyesore, even | | | | At least you can always have dinner at the |
| though the people of Paris today would not wish to | | | | restaurant to catch your breath before going back |
| be without it, as it is widely considered to be a | | | | down to the bottom, or if you are more energetic |
| striking piece of structural art! | | | | then you could go ice skating, which has been held at |
| People were also shocked at the daring shape, | | | | the Eiffel Tower every winter since 2004! |
| questioning Gustave Eiffel wondering if he really was | | | | And although most people have the idea that the |
| a good engineer, but being that he and his engineers | | | | Eiffel Tower can be seen from almost anywhere in |
| were renowned bridge builders, he came back with | | | | Paris, this is actually not the case and there are only |
| comments stating that it was based on mathematical | | | | a few of the taller buildings that can get a clear view |
| calculations utilising wind resistance. | | | | of the tower. |
| And including the 24m antenna, the Eiffel Tower is | | | | Even if people hadn't heard of the Eiffel Tower |
| 324m high, weighs in at 7,300 tons and can sway 6 | | | | before, if they like James Bond movies, then they |
| to 7cm in the wind and due to the thermal expansion | | | | were sure to know of it after the 1985 movie A |
| of the metal on the side facing the sun, depending | | | | View to a Kill as James Bond chases May Day played |
| upon the ambient temperature, the top of the tower | | | | by actress Grace Jones at the Eiffel Tower as she |
| may shift away from the sun by up to 18cm. | | | | parachuted from the tower. The video of the |
| Due to the fact the Gustave Eiffel was only given a | | | | movie's theme also included several scenes of the |
| permit for the Eiffel Tower to stand for 20 years, as | | | | pop group Duran Duran staged on the tower as well. |
| it passed to the city, the Eiffel Tower was to be | | | | On New Year's Eve of 2000 for the Millennium |
| taken down in 20 years, but because it became | | | | celebrations, the Eiffel Tower played a major role in |
| valuable as a communications resource, it was | | | | Paris, as it had fireworks that exploded from the |
| allowed to remain in place even after the permit had | | | | whole length of the tower in a spectacular display. |
| expired. | | | | So if you haven't ever had the opportunity to visit |
| And because the Eiffel Tower was originally meant | | | | the Eiffel Tower, then it is well worth the effort, as |
| to be a temporary structure, it now has to be | | | | the views over Paris as you are ascending is breath |
| repainted every 7 years, just to stop this famous | | | | taking and a sight you will not forget. |