Facts About the Eiffel Tower

How many facts about the Eiffel Tower do you know? To test yourself, see how many of the following best-known and least-known tidbits about Paris's world-famous structure you are familiar with. For instance, did you know that the Eiffel Tower is arguably the most popular tourist attraction of all times? Not only have approximately half a billion people viewed the tower since its opening, but the Eiffel Tower has secured its place in history by being named one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Structural Facts about the Eiffel Tower:

• The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 as a temporary structure for the Exposition Universelle, where it served as the entrance arch to the fair
• The Eiffel Tower was named after its creator, Gustave Eiffel
• Originally, Gustave Eiffel proposed to build the tower in Spain, however the people of Barcelona rejected its design as unfit for their city
• The tower is Paris's tallest building, standing at 1,063 feet high and weighing 10,000 tons
• The tower is comprised of three levels, with 347 steps between the ground and first level, 674 steps between the first and second levels, and 1,710 steps between the second and third levels
• Visitors can only ascend by foot to the second level, from where they must take a an elevator to reach the top of the tower
• It took two years, two months, and five days to build the Eiffel Tower

Photo by: lupo

Historical Facts about the Eiffel Tower:

• After its first 20 years, the Eiffel Tower was in danger of being demolished and sold as scrap metal by members of the French public who didn't like the look of the tower
• The radio pole at the top of the tower saved the day as the tower was turned into a radio transmitter and used for other scientific endeavors
• When the Germans invaded France during WWII, the French people prevented Hitler from ascending to the summit by cutting the elevator cables
• As a symbol of German victory, German soldiers climbed the tower by foot and hoisted the German flag atop the Eiffel Tower
• Eiffel Tower Trivia
• Here is a quick quiz on some miscellaneous Eiffel Tower facts:
• To which building did the Eiffel Tower lose its title as the world's tallest structure? (Answer: The Chrysler Building)
• What is engraved on the tower? (Answer: 72 names belonging to notable French engineers, scientists, artists, and architects)
• How many restaurants are located at the tower? (Answer: Two - Le 58 tour Eiffel and Le Jules Verne)
• How many days of the week is the Eiffel Tower open? (Answer: The tower is open year-round, seven days a week)

Finally, for some fun and functional facts about the Eiffel tower, see who among your family or friends are familiar with this Eiffel Tower information:

The Eiffel Tower's official address:

Parc du Champ de Mars
5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France

How Can I Get to the Eiffel Tower?

1. The Paris Metro (get off at the Bir-Hakeim & Dupleix stops on Line 6; at the Trocadero stop on Lines 6 and 9; at the Ecole Militaire stop on Line 8)
2. RER Train, Line C, Station Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel
3. Paris Buses numbers: 42, 69, 72, 82, 87

Eiffel Tower Cliparts and cartoons

Are you looking for a toy model of the Eiffel Tower? Or maybe an Eiffel Tower cookie jar?

Into art? An Eiffel Tower sculpture or an Eiffel Tower painting

Black and White Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower party decorations