Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower.

What was the Eiffel Tower built for?

When the French government was organizing the International Exposition of 1889 to celebrate the centenary of the French Revolution, a competition was held for designs for a suitable monument. More than 100 plans were submitted, and the Centennial Committee chose that of the noted bridge engineer Gustave Eiffel. When completed, the Eiffel Tower served as the entrance gateway to the exposition.

Where is the Eiffel Tower located in Paris?

The Eiffel Tower can be found on the Champs de Mars at 5 Avenue Anatole France within the 7th arrondissement of Paris. Situated on the “Left Bank,” meaning it is to the south of the Seine River.

What does the Eiffel Tower represent?

The Eiffel Tower was initially built to serve as the entrance gateway to the International Exposition of 1889 as well as a testament to French industrial ingenuity. It has since come to represent the distinct character of the city of Paris. Its lights are also often turned on or off to reflect commemoration of major world events.

What is the Eiffel Tower made of?

The Eiffel Tower is made almost entirely of open-lattice wrought iron. Gustave Eiffel used his advanced knowledge of the behaviour of metal arch and metal truss forms under loading to design a light and airy but strong structure that presaged a revolution in civil engineering and architectural design.

Construction stages of the tower

The tower today

The Eiffel Tower is still the centerpiece of Paris' cityscape. More than 7 million people visit this iconic tower every year, according to the attraction's official website. Since the tower's 1889 opening, 250 million people from around the world have enjoyed all that the Eiffel Tower has to offer.

And it has a lot to offer. The tower's three platforms are home to two restaurants, several buffets, a banquet hall, a champagne bar and many unique gift shops. Educational tours of the tower are available for children and tourist groups.

The tower is open to visitors 365 days a year, with visiting times varying by season. From June to September, the tower remains open until after midnight. Rates vary, but visitors can expect to pay between $13 (10 euros) and $19 (14.5 euros) per person for access to the tower's three public lifts and 704 stairs.