Eiffel Tower, Paris

Located at the end of the Champ de Mars beside the Seine , the Eiffel Tower has become the great symbol of Paris , and by extension France . It was built according to plans by Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exhibition of 1889 and was intended to show how useful and aesthetic materials such as iron in architecture. And there are no less than 7000 tons of iron going over the top of the 324 meters of the tower. From up there, that's all you can discover Paris. When you're up there, remember that the tower rests on a system of hydraulic jacks, ie on the water!

300m high at its construction, the Eiffel Tower was when it opened the tallest building in the world. It is a feat of architecture iron which required two years to assemble 300 assemblers acrobats 18,000 pieces of iron with 2.5 million rivets. The frame weighs 7,000 tons, which is low: reduced to 30cm, the Eiffel Tower would weigh only 7 grams! For repainting every seven years, it takes 50 tons of paint. At the beginning of each hour, 20,000 bulbs twinkle. The top floor offers an incredible view of Paris and its suburbs in good weather. Highly contested and criticized by the artists at the time of its construction, the monument has received over the final several hundred million visitors.

Its construction in 2 years, 2 months and 5 days, was a real technical and architectural performance, she was at the end of the 19th century demonstration of French engineering and for a long time the tallest building in the world until the Chrysler Building are pointing the sky in 1930 with its 319 meters high.

Intended to last only 20 years, she was saved by scientific experiments that Eiffel favored and especially the first X-ray transmission and telecommunications: radio signals, military radio station, radio and television.
But the Eiffel Tower will have to wait the 60 and opening to international tourism to actually become a tourist mecca and a symbol of France in the world.

The Eiffel Tower was the scene of many exploits, she has always inspired artists, sportsmen and challenges, the latest being that of Chris Taig, a roller-man who broke the world record leap into the void Roller by jumping from the first floor of the tower and landing on a large ramp against there.

The Eiffel Tower highlighted

The famous tower built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 has not aged a bit. The night of his inauguration, she was dressed ten thousand gas lamps to illuminate. This tradition was maintained for small and big occasions. For example, in 1978, 30,000 bulbs have a huge bright tree over 300 meters. For the new millennium, the tower was adorned with a light coat composed of 20,000 flashes. For 120 years, it has changed color every night. Today, throughout the year, from 22h to 1 am at the beginning of each hour, the Eiffel Tower sparkles with 20,000 lights and lighthouse atop sweeping the city.

Rise above Paris

For the more adventurous, you should know that to get to the top, there are 1665 steps which are fortunately not the only way, lifts serving all three floors. Usually the elevator north pillar which can take up to 110 people and in case of need is used, then that opens the west pillar. The south pier meanwhile serves "Jules Verne" restaurant and the eastern one is for the brave who want to walk up. To get to the top of the tower, one must change elevator to the second floor.

On the 1st floor there are exhibition spaces, a post office, shops, a restaurant and a cinema and an electronic telescope. 2nd floor, you can have lunch at the "Jules Verne" and reach the top of the tower. In the third, there are two levels, covered where you have a breathtaking view of Paris with panoramic and a second outdoors where you can admire a reconstruction of the office of Gustave Eiffel tables. You should know that in case of extreme weather conditions, the top of the Eiffel Tower can be closed to the public.

Visiting the Eiffel Tower: user manual

There are many ways to visit the Tower, elevator or on foot, the bravest can attempt the ascent to the 2nd floor walk easier if an elevator ride followed by a downhill walk can be considered .
Three lifts (pillars North, East, West) allow you to mount the 1st and 2nd floors. To reach the top you have to change elevators to the second floor.

In times of heavy traffic, you can expect a wait to access the elevators. Do not forget that the tower is open until 23h, then take to the skies and admire the lights of Paris. (Open until 23h only in summer, otherwise 18.30.

You can visit with a guide or independently, you can also download the iPhone application tour guide to know everything about the Tour with a rich audio and text. The application can be downloaded from the AppStore in French and English -> itunes.apple.com

There are many things to see in the tower, as the exhibition on the 1st floor that chronicles the 120 years history of the monument over fifty photographic panels. Finish the visit to Cineiffel, hologram and theater await you.
For children, a specially designed course is offered to them; 'Follow Gus' to visit the Eiffel tower having fun, follow Gus. Open and free. Throughout the visit the children must investigate and answer questions about the history and mysteries of the Eiffel Tower.

Finally eating Eiffel Tower offers visitors prestigious or cheap tables but all giddy.

• The 58 Tour Eiffel, new restaurant on the first floor, offering a cuisine that is both simple and tasty in a relaxed atmosphere.
• The Jules Verne, a fine restaurant with chef Alain Reix who runs the kitchen. Guests have privileged a dedicated elevator access to the south pillar.
• The Champagne bar, located at the top of the Eiffel Tower, the bar is open daily from 12h to 22h.

The Eiffel Tower: Practical information

Opening hours Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is open every day of the year from 9:00 am to midnight from June 15 to September 1, from 9:30 to 23h and the rest of the year (Easter Weekend and Spring Break: Extended opening up midnight.).Tickets are sold only until 22h.

Rates Tour Eiffel

Individual Adult: 
-elevator to the second floor: 8,50 euros
-elevator to the summit: 14.50 euros
-staircase to the second floor: 5 euros

Youth 12-24 years: 
-elevator to the second floor: 7 euros
-elevator to the top: 13 euros
-staircase to the second floor: 3,50 euros

Discounted rates (children under 12, disabled) 
-elevator to the second floor: 4 euros
-elevator to the top: 10 euros
-staircase to the second floor: 3 euros

Groups (minimum 20 people) 
-elevator to the second floor: 7 euros
-elevator to the top: 13 euros

Source : here .