Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is an iron tower located on the Champ-de-Mars in Paris, named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel. Erected in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 Universal Exhibition, it has become a cultural icon of France and one of the most recognised structures in the world. With more than 7 million visitors every year, it is the most visited paying monument in the world. The Eiffel Tower has been listed as a historical monument since 24 June 1964 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.

Originally 312 metres high, the Eiffel Tower has remained the highest monument in the world for 41 years. It has four floors, the last of which at 279 metres is the highest publicly accessible observation platform in the European Union. Over the years, the height has been increased several times by the installation of numerous antennas for radio and television programmes. It is now 324 metres high.

The Eiffel Tower was designed by the engineers Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, from whom Gustave Eiffel bought the rights. The project was intended to be the "highlight of the 1889 Exhibition held in Paris", which also celebrated the centenary of the Tower. which also celebrated the centenary of the French Revolution. Gustave Eiffel worked hard to publicise his project, even financing some of the experiments with his own funds. Built by 250 workers in two years, two months and five days, the Eiffel Tower was finally inaugurated on 31 March 1889. However, the expected number of visitors did not arrive until the 1960s, with the rise of international tourism.

Today, the Eiffel Tower is regularly enlivened by light shows: fireworks for the 14th of July, illuminations every evening and colourful decorations for various events.

For those with a sweet tooth, it is also possible to book a table in the famous 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant.