 |
Eiffel Tower
Paris just wouldn't be Paris without the Eiffel Tower. Designed by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World Fair, at 300m it was then the world's tallest building. Not everyone was happy when it was first built but today it is one of the world's most visited monuments. The Eiffel Tower remained the highest monument in the world until the construction of New York's Chrysler Building in 1930.
|
 |
 |
History
In 1889, when the Tour Eiffel was completed, it was the tallest building in the world at 300m. The Tour Eiffel was originally built as a tempory structure to commemorate the centenary of the Revolution. And since, the Eiffel Tower has become an enduring symbol of the city of Paris.
The Tour was originally built for the 1889 Exposition. This steel construction defied all traditional rules in architecture. It is now the television transmitter for the greater Paris region.
The Tour selected by a competition which was won by Gustave Eiffel, an engineer who had experience of constructing high level railway viaducts. In the public eye, the tower had many mixed opinions, celebrated and loathed in equal measure. Throughout its construction, the residents became convinced that it would collapse, and Eiffel had to reassure them personally. The author Guy de Maupassant left Paris permanently to avoid looking at its 'metallic carcass' but others who espoused more self-consciously modern views championed the tower: Seurat and Douanier Rousseau were among the first to paint it, in 1889 and 1890 respectively. On a clear day, it is possible to see Chartres Cathedral from the high level viewing platform.
There are three floors. The first is at 57 m., the second at 115m., and the third at 276 m. The top of the aerial is 320 m. above the ground. And on a nice day, you an see from the top of the platform, the whole of Paris and even the distant suburbs.
The 12,000 steel girders are held together by 2,500,000 rivets to produce a smooth, curving profile. Its functional elegance heralded the dawn of Industrial Art, and has met with much sarcastic comment from more conservative observers ever since it was finished in 1889.
And in 1986 the external night-time floodlighting was replaced by a system of illumination from within the tower's superstructure, so that it now looks at its magical best after dark.
Practical Information
How to get there
METRO : Bir-Hakeim, Trocadéro, Ecole Militaire
RER : Ligne C - Station Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel
BUS : 42,69,72,82,87
TAXI : Station Quai Branly, Pilier Ouest
Opening
From January 1 to June 18: 9:30 am - 18:30 pm (11:00pm via lift)
From June 19 to August 29: 9:00 am - midnight
From August 30 to December 31: 9:30 am - 18:30 pm (11:00pm via lift)
Last admitance 1 hour before closing.
Fees:
Stairs - all visitors: 3,80 euros
under 25 years old : 3,00 euros
Adults
Lift to 1st platform 4,10 euros
Lift to 2nd platform 7,50 euros
Lift to 3rd platform 10,70 euros
Children
Lift to 1st platform 2,30 euros
Lift to 2nd platform 4,10 euros
Lift to 3rd platform 5,90 euros |
|
| |
 -%A partir de: €... |
ACADEMIE HOTEL SAINT GERMAIN |
 The Hotel Academie Saint Germain Paris is a former Duke's mansion located in the heart of the trendy, intellectual Saint Germain des Pres in Paris, surrounded by antique shops, galleries and designer boutiques restaurant, bar. The... |
| HOTEL DE LA MOTTE PICQUET |
 Around the corner of rue Cler, one of the most lively pedestrian streets of the capital and of Avenue de la Motte Picquet, the hotel de la Motte Picquet welcomes you in a charming Louis XVI atmosphere.
Its location is exceptiona... |
| HOTEL LE TOURVILLE |
 Hotel Le Tourville is located in a privileged place, in the left bank, between Les Invalides and the Tour Eiffel, Le Tourville is a small, deluxe hotel, where charm exudes everywhere, and where harmony has been achieved, between ... |
| HOTEL LATOUR-MAUBOURG |
 Hôtel de Latour Maubourg is a splendid private mansion of the epoch Napoléon III. The hotel, newly refurbished in 2006, composes of 16 rooms and one Junior Suite, all individually designed using fine materials and antiques pieces ... |
| HOTEL DU CADRAN |
 The three star Hotel du Cadran Paris is situated in the heart of the fashionable 7th district of Paris, a short walk from such attractions as the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, the Rodin Museum, the Orsay Museum. The hotel's 42 rece... |
|
