Eiffel Tower

Why the Eiffel Tower is special
It's the photo icon of Paris and France - and one of the most recognizable structures on earth.

Eiffel Tower tips and insights
How to avoid the long waiting lines
Elevator wait lines (especially for the third level) can be excruciatingly long during the summer tourist season. Be the first in line when the gates open in the morning or arrive after 6 pm. It also helps to avoid weekends.

Photographing the Eiffel Tower
The best photo location for a full-view shot of structure is from the Place du Trocadero terrace across the Seine River.

Origin
It was built in 1889 for an international exhibition in Paris, France and named for its builder, Gustave Eiffel.

Once the world's tallest
The Eiffel Tower instantly became the world's tallest man-made structure. It broke the record held for over 4400 years by the Khufu Pyramid in Egypt (only to lose it 41 years later to the Chrysler Building in Manhattan)

Not everyone liked it
Some people back then thought it was hideous. One sarcastic critic famously said he liked being on the Eiffel Tower because "it's the only place in Paris where I cannot see it".

Today
Times have changed. Almost all Parisian citizens today love it.

More Eiffel Tower pointers
Almost razed
The monument came close to being razed in 1909 when its city permit expired. It was saved because the radio antennae on top of the structure were deemed essential.

Lookout platforms
The structure has three observation levels (see photo). Their heights (relative to modern office buildings) are 17 stories for the first, 37 stories for the second, and 75 stories for the third level.

Unobscured views
Obviously, the higher the observation level, the more breathtaking the view. However, even the first level of the Eiffel Tower offers a remarkable 360-degree view because - with few exceptions - the buildings in Paris must not exceed 20 meters (66 feet) in height.

Going up
You can reach the first and second observation level by stairs or elevator. The third level is accessible only by elevator.

Tourist magnet
The Eiffel Tower is an immensely popular tourist destination. Last year, over 6 million people visited it. Since 1889, over 230 million people have done so.

Location in France