The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris and of all France, but its history begins with a temporary structure that was planned to be dismantled after 20 years. Today it is known throughout the world, but in 1887 Parisian intellectuals called it "monstrous." This tower is an example of how an engineering structure built for an exhibition became a national treasure and an attraction that draws 6–7 million visitors every year.
The History of the Eiffel Tower: How a Temporary Arch Became a Symbol
It all began with the World`s Fair of 1889, timed to coincide with the centenary of the Great French Revolution. The government wanted the exhibition to become an "apotheosis of machines and metal," a symbol of the victory of reason over obscurantism. In 1886, a competition was announced, and among 107 projects the plan of the engineer Gustave Eiffel won; he proposed erecting a gigantic iron tower 300 metres high above the entrance.
By that time, Eiffel had already become famous for building railway viaducts, including the almost 600-metre Garabit Viaduct. The tower was, in essence, a viaduct support enlarged to gigantic dimensions. The construction of the tower required a sum of 8 million francs, but the city hall allocated only 1.5 million francs for it. Eiffel undertook to finance the construction himself, counting on recouping the costs over 20 years of operation.
Construction began in January 1887 and was completed in March 1889, a month ahead of schedule. On 31 March 1889, Eiffel raised the French flag at the top. For more than 40 years, the tower remained the tallest structure in the world — almost twice as tall as the Pyramid of Cheops and Cologne Cathedral. Only in 1930 was it surpassed by the Chrysler Building in New York.
Protests: "Monstrous and Useless"
While the Eiffel Tower was being built, an indignant campaign raged in the press. In 1887, 300 writers and artists, among whom were Guy de Maupassant and Charles Garnier, signed a famous protest, calling the tower "useless and monstrous," "ridiculous," "like a smokestack." Critics claimed that the iron structure did not fit the architectural appearance of Paris and disfigured the city.
However, Eiffel was confident in his creation. Having won the first prize of the competition, he exclaimed: "France will be the only country possessing a 300-metre flagpole!"
Why the Eiffel Tower Was Not Dismantled
According to the original plan, the Eiffel Tower was to be demolished 20 years after the exhibition — in 1909. But Eiffel evidently had a different intention. In the early 20th century, a telegraph, a radio station, and a meteorological laboratory began to appear on different levels of the tower. The tower turned from a tourist attraction into a strategic one.
In 1910, the agreement between the Paris municipality and Eiffel was extended for 70 years. During the First World War, the tower functioned as a centre for intercepting enemy messages, which finally proved its military value.
During the Second World War, when Paris was occupied, the tower`s lifts for some unknown reason stopped working. The German leadership, wishing to hang the flag of the Third Reich on the tower, had to climb the stairs. Hitler never managed to conquer the "Iron Lady." In August 1944, the Führer demanded the destruction of the tower, but Colonel-General Dietrich von Choltitz refused to carry out the order. After the liberation of Paris, the lifts started working again, and the French say: "The only place that the Nazis failed to conquer in France is the Eiffel Tower."
The Three Levels of the Eiffel Tower: What to See on Each Level
The First Level (57 metres)
The first level is the widest; here is the restaurant "58" (named after the height), the Gustave Eiffel Hall for conferences and cocktails, as well as a cultural route with screens, touch panels, and exhibits telling the history of the tower. On the railing of the balustrade are engraved the 72 names of French scientists and engineers — a genuine historical detail that few notice.
The Second Level (115 metres)
The second level is the best viewing point. From here a panorama of Paris opens up with clear views of the Louvre, the Grand Palais, the bends of the Seine, Montmartre, Les Invalides, and Notre-Dame. It is here that tourists most often stop: the ascent by lift to the second level costs €23.50, and by stairs (674 steps) — €14.80. The queue for the stairs is almost always shorter, and the climb allows you to examine the metal details of the tower up close.
The Summit (276 metres)
The summit is the highest viewing platform in Paris accessible to the public. The ascent here is possible only by lift: €36.70 for adults. Here you can see the private apartments of Gustave Eiffel through a window — visitors are not allowed inside, but the very fact that the engineer set up an office for himself at a height of 276 metres is impressive. At the summit it is always windy and cool, even in summer, so it is worth taking a jacket.
Practical Information About the Eiffel Tower
• Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris.
• Metro: Bir-Hakeim (line 6), Trocadéro (lines 6, 9), École Militaire (line 8). RER C — station Champ de Mars — Tour Eiffel.
• Opening hours: high season (21 June — 2 September) — 9:00–00:45; the rest of the time — 9:30–23:45. Last entry — one hour before closing.
• Tickets: buy only online on the official website toureiffel.paris. Third-party sellers often add a surcharge. The Paris Museum Pass does not include entry to the tower — this is a common misconception.
• Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday morning are the calmest days. The most crowded time is Sunday from 14:00 to 18:00. Come at opening time or after 20:00 to avoid queues.
• Evening show: every hour after nightfall until 00:45 the tower sparkles for five minutes. Parisians call this show le clignotement.
• Tips: allow 1.5–3 hours to see all the levels. It is always windy on the viewing platforms — take warm clothing. Large luggage and wheeled suitcases are prohibited.
Prices for the Viewing Platforms of the Eiffel Tower
• The ascent by lift to the second level costs €23.50 for adults, €11.80 for young people aged 12–24, and €6.00 for children aged 4–11.
• The ascent by stairs to the second level will cost less: €14.80 for adults, €7.40 for young people, and €3.80 for children.
• The ascent by lift to the very summit is the most expensive option: €36.70 for adults, €18.40 for young people, and €9.20 for children.
• The combined option — stairs to the second level plus lift to the summit — costs €28.00 for adults, €14.00 for young people, and €7.00 for children.
The Eiffel Tower is not just a metal structure. It is a story of how an engineering structure, conceived as a temporary arch, became a symbol of an entire country. Here you can ascend to a height of 276 metres, see Paris from a bird`s-eye view, find the names of scientists on the railing of the first level, and understand why the "Iron Lady" survived both critics and wars.
