Facts about the Eiffel Tower
Gustave Eiffel French Engineer

Interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower

Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, a French Engineer had a new exciting project for the World Exhibition in 1889: build an amazing iron structure in Paris.

He Started the work in 1887 and took almost two years to finish it. A this time with its 324 meters high la Dame de Fer (the Iron Lady) nickname of the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building around the World. Now it is the highest in Paris.

History and facts

In 1887, 300 workers started to put together over 18 000 pieces of pure iron.

They needed 2,5 million of rivets and a total of 7000 tons of iron.

The inauguration day was March 31, 1889 and the opening day May 6, 1889.

At this time people around the world and also Parisians didn't like the iron tower.

They thought: it was too big and too modern.
Now the Eiffel Tower is the most famous monument in the world and the most visited. During 121 years, 250 000 000 visitors came to see the Iron Lady.

There are three floors in the Eiffel Tower. The first floor is at 57 m from the ground ; Second floor 115 m ; third floor 276 m.

Are you fit enough to climb the 1665 stairs to the second level? A viewing gallery is at 274m, just 50m above is the tower's flagpole. The view is breathtaking, 80km away in a clear day.

Paint the Eiffel Tower

A big job to paint the Eiffel Tower! 25 painters do the work every 7 years to protect it from the rust. They use 60 tons of paints and cost 3 million Euros. The work will be done in 15 to 18 months.

Do you know? Until June 21, 2013 the lights (20 000) on the Eiffel Tower will flash on and off the first 10 minutes, beginning of each hour, start after nightfall until 2 am in the summer and 1 am in the winter.



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