The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of both Paris and France.
This is one of the most popular tourist attractions, and shooting a memorable photo with the background of it is no less popular.
French engineer and architect Gustave Eiffel built the tower in 1889. The construction of the building took 2 years (1887-1889) and was originally intended for exhibition space. Built in 1889 for the World Exposition (an international exhibition that is considered a symbol of industrialization and an open field of technological advances), it is today one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world.
Here are some interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower:
- Its height is 324 meters, which is equal to the height of the 81-storey building;
- It’s the tallest building in Paris;
- The restaurant operates on the first and second levels of the tower;
- At first the public reaction to the tower was sharply negative. 300 people (including writers, artists, sculptors and architects) signed a petition protesting the construction of the Eiffel Tower - the construction was referred to in the letter as useless, huge, and horrible. Dissatisfaction was also expressed by nature lovers, who feared that the height of the tower posed a potential threat to the birds flying over Paris;
- The Tower is one of the largest clichés in Hollywood, for example, the Eiffel Tower should definitely be seen from the Parisian window in the film. In fact, due to zoning restrictions, only a few relatively tall buildings in the city have such a view of the tower;
- In 2007, Erika Labri from the United States attracted worldwide attention. Erika got married on the tower and moved to the "husband" surname - after marriage she is known as Erika Eiffel;
- On the third level of the tower is an apartment built by Gustave Eiffel. The room is furnished. Gustave rested in this room and sometimes hosted guests. Renting a room is still prohibited today, but you will be allowed to visit;
- The Eiffel Tower is visited by more than 7 million people a year;
- Hitler ordered the demolition of the tower, but General Dietrich von Choltitz refused to carry out the order;
- The Eiffel Tower is painted every 7 years and 60 tons of paint is used for it;
- There are numerous copies of the Eiffel Tower around the world, the most popular of which is in Las Vegas;
- The tower is lit by 20,000 light bulbs every night.
