The Eiffel Tower in Paris – “La Belle Tour”
Paris the Eternal City, Paris on the move, Paris here always to teach us something new. The magic of this city has been enchanting visitors for centuries, with flavors and colors, thousands of shops and boutiques, stands and stalls overflowing with designer items or antiques. Paris is also the city of imposing monuments, gastronomy and green spaces. Capital of all dreams, Paris brings together different communities that make this city so dynamic and multi-colored. But above all, Paris is the city of the “Tour Eiffel“, named after its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel.
This monument, more than 300 meters high, is entirely made of iron, built in the shape of a cross using more than 18 thousand pieces, bound together by about 5 million bolts. Since 2000, the Eiffel Tower sparkles every night, lit up by over 22 thousand lights and 900 holiday lights.
Among the disillusionment and bitterness of Parisians, who often call it “the asparagus of iron”, this Tower has become the symbol of the city, definitely much more popular with tourists than locals. The Tour Eiffel was built in less than two years, from 1887 to 1889, on the occasion of the “Exposition Universelle”, to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution, and then it had to be removed. However, what was supposed to be only a temporary addition to the landscape of Paris, is still there instead, proud and powerful, a true icon, from any point of view.
From a distance. The best places to photograph and admire the Eiffel Tower are the Trocadero and the Champ-de-Mars gardens, from where you can also take funny pictures like those taken to the leaning tower of Pisa and the Sphinx.
From the inside: to climb to the top of the Tower there are two possibilities, 1665 steps or two transparent lifts: pick one or both, once up there you should come down sooner or later! The structure is divided into three levels open to the public. On the first floor there is a wonderful restaurant, on the second floor there are many souvenir shops, while at the top, where you can enjoy sweeping views of Paris, are placed a meteorological station, a radio station and a TV repeater; many years ago, here there was also the office of Gustave Eiffel in person.
From below: one of the most gorgeous views is the one you have by standing right under the Tower. Here you will remain truly astonished, while admiring the ingenuity of man, along with fighting the sense of powerlessness. The base is composed of four arched pillars, which are then joined to support the structure, tapering upwards: the typical feeling is that the tower collapses on you; the same fear you experience hearing the news that on windy days, on the top of the Tower can occur oscillations of 12 cm! But if it’s still there after so many years, it cannot be just for the pleasure of tourists: it is more credible that it may be thanks to a great human genius!
Photo by ЕленАндреа
About the Author
Andrea Guerriero Hi, I'm Andrea, a travel blogger, web programmer, seo apprentice and amateur photographer based in Milan. I love reading, I love music. I love to travel but only if I leave on a mission! I've been traveling through most of Europe and I love writing about it. I love photography, especially as a way to document experiences, places, events. My Nikon D300 camera is always with me, and it helps me in sharing my life with the rest of the world. Getting in touch with new people, different life styles and foreign traditions, and write about it, is all I can ask for.
Related Posts
10 Romantic things to do in Paris →
5 Parisian Life Hacks you need to know! →
A Pregnant Woman’s Guide To Paris →
