The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous icons in the world
The Eiffel Tower is undoubtedly the crown jewel of France and is one of the leading drivers of French tourism. In fact, it is actually one of the most-visited pay-to-enter monuments in the world, with almost 7 million visitors every year. Better yet, visiting the Eiffel Tower means experiencing one of the architectural wonders of the world.
Keep in mind that one of the top things to do in Paris is to visit the Eiffel Tower. Whether it’s to go up to the top or just have a picnic below. Every visitor to Paris wants to catch a glimpse of this wonder – and for good reason too.
For almost forty years it stood as the tallest man-made structure in the world. Its bright lights in the evenings make it a stunning sight to witness. But, do you know the history behind Eiffel Tower? The significance of it? And all of the nuances behind its unique story? Well, wonder no more as we delve into its dazzling story so that you are prepared for when you go visiting the Eiffel Tower next.
Here are some facts and figures making up the story of the Eiffel tower
Why was the Eiffel Tower Built?
There are many historical reasons why this magnificent structure was built. The most well-known and true reason is that it was built to cheer up the world exhibition commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the French revolution. The French revolution is a very important event in French history, as it was responsible for abolishing dictatorship and welcoming democracy.
The French people and officials wanted to remember the 100-year anniversary by doing something different for their country. They wanted to improve the quality of life in Paris and all over France. Many suggestions were given suggestions that the country builds a new and beautiful building to commemorate the anniversary. A number of designers, engineers and architects presented their design ideas. Among them, the design of Gustavo Eiffel was selected as the winner. It was opposed by many people, but with the determination of Eiffel the design won out.
Another reason it was built was due to the promising nature of its design. The height of the Eiffel tower allowed for practical experiments related to air pressure, temperature and radiotelegraphy. In fact, the major reason for its design was so that it could be used as a radio transmission tower. After the expiration of its first lease, many people wanted to demolish it, but politicians wanted to retain it for radio transmission.
One of the other reasons that the Eiffel Tower was built was to create a history that illustrated the purpose of the Paris Exposition. During this time, the Eiffel Tower would have been the tallest building in the entire world. This swayed many leaders in France to choose this design over others and ultimately erect the building as it stands today.
Whatever the reason, there is no doubt about the strong Eiffel Tower’s significance to the French people.
Designing and Construction of the Eiffel tower
The construction of the Eiffel Tower involved tremendous effort from the Eiffel and his companions; Maurice Koechlin (a structural expert) and many other metal experts. After much debate, the final design was ready. It involved 18,000 pieces of puddle iron, a kind of wrought iron used in construction, and 2.5 million rivets. More than 500 workers worked for 2 years to assemble the framework of this iconic tower. In the end, it stood at a height of 10,000 feet and was the tallest building in the world (though this is no longer the case).
To the surprise of many who visit the Eiffel Tower, the original plan for the structure was to actually dismantle it after 20 years, however, the designer later went and added telegraph transmitters and a radio antenna to the Tower. This contributed to the French government’s decision to keep it ad it was now deemed “too useful”.
Parisians Reaction to the Great tower
Initially, many Parisians literally hated the tower. Yes, you actually read that correctly. While this monument is now considered to be one of the great travel thrills throughout Europe, it was first initially hated by locals. They considered it to be structurally unsound and an eyesore in their city. The famous novelist Guy de Maupassant hated it so much that he wanted to avoid seeing the tower and would therefore dine at the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower so that he could avoid looking at it directly.
What is the Eiffel Tower Today?
Thankfully, the outrage over the Eiffel Tower eventually simmered down and has since become the most important landmark in France. It has become a permanent feature of the Paris skyline. A major part of Paris’ revenue is generated by tourism geared towards visiting the Eiffel Tower as many come to the famous ascend up the Tower. Many people from many parts of the world come to see it and it’s become commonly referred to as the Tower of Love.
The scenic beauty from the top is enough to drive you mad. A trip to the Eiffel Tower is something that you’ll remember for the rest of your life! So, why not share the story behind the Eiffel Tower with your friends and family until then?
The scenic beauty from the top is enough to drive you mad. A trip to the Eiffel Tower is something that you’ll remember for the rest of your life! So, why not share the story behind the Eiffel Tower with your friends and family until then?
How to visit the Eiffel Tower
As you can tell from this article, visiting the Eiffel Tower is an absolute must – but that also means that there are thousands of other visitors who have journeyed to Paris to do the same thing. So, to keep from disappointment, it’s best to plan ahead of time.
You can visit the Eiffel Tower by any mode of transportation. The most popular is without a doubt the public transportation system, as you don’t have to worry about time constraints or parking. We suggest an option for either the metro, the public bus system or the RER commuter to get to the Eiffel Tower!
