Paris1972-Versailles2003

This monument is one of the biggest magnet that attracts people to Paris. Go figure it, and post on July 14 our National Day!. I will tell you my visiting eyes views on it and some pictures. However, disclaimer , even if I go by it every month as my Paris HQ is nearby, I last climb it in 2005!!! ok enough said. Oh yes you got it, will write about the Tour Eiffel or Eiffel tower in Paris!

Yes indeed the name says it all, why? it was conceded to participate in an Universal Expo to showcase the engineering values of France, just like that. However, nobody could imagine the controversies over it, and the inmense ,huge success of its future days, 130 years strong. It is without doubt the symbol of Paris,and France. I could not imagine myself the first time I told my coworkers in Florida that I was coming to Paris in 1990, they could not believe it , I need it to bring them back a photo of the you guess it the Eiffel tower. I did, and it has been pasted to so many bulleting boards around offices in South Florida ever since…And many who have come to visit it , and even some done the reservations myself lol!

It is on everybody’s eyes and ears so you will have no problem getting there once in Paris. Built under the leadership of Gustave Eiffel in 1889 for the Paris Universal Exposition of same year ,it is 325 meters high ( 1073 ft) with the addition of an tnt electronic TV antenna on it in 2005.  It was built in just over 2 years in a marvel of construction and engineering genious. Best way to get here is on Metro Bir-Hakeim line 6 ,and RER C Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel. Or enjoy Paris more as I do and ride the buses above ground you see more , I take from Gare Montparnasse the No 82 arrêts/stop Tour Eiffel or Champ de Mars/Suffren, all are easy walking distance. Here is the bus 82 traject from RATP: https://www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes/busratp/82

Now the tour Eiffel has 1665 steps to the top, and it has its contrictions according to the weather anywhere from 6-7 cm expand or retract; on clear days you can see as far as 67 kms ( 41.5 miles), and on the negative side it has 370 suicides as of last figures I have in 2013. It is the most visited monument in France, the most visited country and Paris the most visited city according to the UN-WTO official international records.

A bit of a description: the ground floor where the four pillars are found ,or legs of the tower; the Nord/north pillar gives access to the 3 floors of the tower by elevators, you see the  bust of Gustave Eiffel here. A very good gathering guiding point for many in Paris visitors and locals alike is to say we will meet by the Eiffel bust area !  All will change elevator at the second floor to continue their climb. If the day is very heavy in visitors, the Ouest/west pillar is open with the same services. The pillar Sud/south give you direct access to the restaurant Jules Verne, and the Est/East pillar is reserve for those that wish to do the climbing on foot Lol!

The first floor , this one we usually visit last as we come down, unless you are those doing the climb on foot.  This floor is the biggest, housing the iron pavillion or Pavillon Ferrié  that enclosed many spaces use for expositions, cinema, restaurant (le 58 tour Eiffel)  ,stores , and a post office. You can see the hydraulic pump that push the elevators from the second floor to the top, as well as a electronic telescope . It gives a nice view of the river Seine and the Champ de Mars garden.

The second floor is a stop to eventually reach the summit, it has some animation activities here as well as the fame restaurant Jules Verne , Official webpage: https://www.restaurants-toureiffel.com/en/jules-verne-restaurant.html

The third floor, is the summit offering a beautiful panorama of Paris, you have tables showing you what to look out for and identify the different buildings below as well as the distances between the principal cities and Paris . There is a second level here , if time permit it is open, and you will see a reproduction of Gustave Eiffel office while receiving Thomas Edison!  There is now a Champagne bar here offering you the Champa with a view, very romantic ::)

The tour Eiffel is illuminated every night for a short while as the city is reducing electricity costs, but still can be seen.  Every day, from dusk to 01h (1am), for 5 minutes. The start of  01h the last, is special. It lasts 10 minutes and unfolds while the tower is off, which gives it a completely different aspect.  And there is no less than 7,000 tons of iron climbing the 325 meters of the tower. From there, it’s all Paris that you can discover. When you are up there, remember that the tower rests on a system of hydraulic cylinders, in other words on water! This is a feat of iron architecture that required two 300 acrobatic riggers to assemble 18,000 pieces of iron using 2.5 million rivets for two years. The frame weighs 7000 tons, which is little, reduced to 30 cm, the Eiffel Tower weighs only 7 grams! To repaint every seven years, it takes 50 tons of paint. The top floor offers a prodigious view of Paris and its suburbs in good weather are 20 000 lights shining on it. The views are chargeable on Ipad and Iphone systems.

Nowdays , due to Vigipirate the anti terrorist procedure in France and the loads of visitors breaking records every year the best way is purchase tickets in advance. In order to gain access faster purchase your tickets on the official Tour Eiffel site, beware of imitators. Planning tips and purchase from the official Tour Eiffel: https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/planning-smooth-visit

You still will need to go by security lines but the wait is much shorter. I have notice and heard over the years, and passing by it monthly now, that the best times are in the mornings, and on Tuesdays, Thursdays, however, there are also not the best times to see Paris. The best for viewing are in the evenings around closing time, anyday of the week except weekends.

There is plenty to see around the Tour Eiffel in Paris 7éme arrondissement, walking distances to many museums, as well as boat rides, and parks/gardens. The choices for lodging and eating out are unlimited.  Tou can read my other posts on Paris for suggestions on staying and eating here. Its my backyard office lunch when in Paris.

The official Paris tourist office on the Tour Eiffel: https://parisjetaime.com/eng/culture/la-tour-eiffel-p3486

There you go now I have cover it for you. Hope you enjoy the post and do try to visit it at least once. Eiffel tower for whatever reason is a symbol and we will always have Paris with it.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!