Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower, Paris

     The Eiffel Tower  is an iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris.  It was named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower.  Erected in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair, it has become both a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is the tallest structure in Paris and the most-visited paid monument in the world; 7.1 million people ascended it in 2011. The tower received its 250 millionth visitor in 2010.

     The tower stands 324 metres (1,063 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-story building. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to assume the title of the tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built in 1930. Because of the addition of the antenna atop the Eiffel Tower in 1957, it is now taller than the Chrysler Building by 17 feet.  Not including broadcast antennas, it is the  second-tallest structure in France, after the Millau Viaduct.

     The tower has three levels for visitors. The third level observatory's upper platform is at 915.7 ft, the highest accessible to the public in the European Union. Tickets can be purchased to ascend, by stairs or lift (elevator), to the first and second levels. The walk from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the walk from the first to the second level. Although there are stairs to the third and highest level, these are usually closed to the public and it is usually accessible only by lift. The first and second levels have restaurants.  Needless to say, thankfully, we took the lifts to both the second and third levels and were able to skip the lines with our tickets.  We did not eat at the restaurants, as we understood they were very overpriced for what we would get.  Not to worry.....we didn't suffer with any meals we had in Paris!

Views looking up

I was especially taken with the intricate design of the structure as we looked up from the ground.   Athough a massive structure, the arches and legs holding it up looked so delicate.  What a masterful design that Eiffel did!

View of Sacre Coeur

Views of the Seine from the second level

Spectacular views  of Paris from higher atop the third level.

The carousel below the tower

Arc de Triomphe

Champagne available for 12 pounds (almost $20) per glass!

We took a nighttime taxi drive down the Seine and back up to get some pictures of Paris at night!

 

 

The City of Lights was indeed, a city of lights!!  What a lifetime experience!