If there is one place in this world where all the travelers would like to visit least once in their lifetime, then it has to be Eiffel Tower. The most romantic city in this world, Paris is now known by this amazing piece of engineering. Millions of visitors come to Paris with itinerary topped with Eiffel Tower, just to witness the grandeur of this monument. Apart from the raw structure that it has, there is a lot to know about this monument that will make you even adore it further.
In this blog we have listed some of the most interesting facts about Eiffel Tower that we bet you must have not heard about in past. In case if you are planning a trip to Eiffel Tower, then make a note of them to fuel up your travel plans.
1 – 300 Million Visitors since the beginning
Every year more than 7 Million people visit the Eiffel Tower, to admire its beauty. This also makes it one of the most visited monuments of the world. This also makes it the most visited paid tourist attraction of the world. Since its opening Eiffel Tower has been visited by more than 300 Million people which do not include the ones who admire it from Champ De Mars, or from different parts of the city with Eiffel Tower shadowing the skyline.
2 – Eiffel Tower actually shrinks
It might sound absurd but Eiffel Tower Shrinks during freezing winters. Yes it has been observed that Eiffel Tower shrinks by 6 inches, when it is freezing out in Paris. If you do not believe it, you should visit Paris twice to witness this phenomenon. Yes we are giving you a reason to visit Paris twice.
3 – To Commemorate 100th Anniversary of the French Revolution
Eiffel Tower was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of French Revolution in the World’s Fair. So make it iconic a structure was to be constructed. A competition was held, and it received 107 submissions, out which the proposal of Gustave Eiffel was chosen, which later on became the Eiffel tower that the entire world came to know.
4 – Eiffel Tower was supposed to last 22 years
Eiffel Tower was built to meet the temporary demand of the world fair, and was supposed to last only 22 years. When the time came, Gustave Eiffel even used it for radio transmissions, and for telegraph transmitter. It was then the French Government realized that Eiffel Tower was too useful to be dismantled. Today Eiffel Tower exceeds an existence of more than a century.
5 – Eiffel Tower gets its name from Gustave Eiffel
Eiffel Tower got its name from Gustave Eiffel, but he was not the one who designed this tower. It was designed by two engineers that go by the name of Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, who were employed in the Gustave Eiffel’s engineering company. However majority of the funds put in the tower were made by Gustave Eiffel, who also took the patent for it.
6 – The Statue of Liberty Connection
Eiffel Tower was built by the company of Gustave Eiffel, who was also instrumental in the making of Porto Viaduct in Portugal, the Viaduct du Garabit in France. You will also be surprised to know that the metal framework which was used in the making of Statue of Liberty was also made by the company of Gustave Eiffel.
7 – Eiffel Tower has penthouse on the top
The uppermost part of the Eiffel Tower was reserved by Gustave Eiffel where he constructed a penthouse for himself. It was here he hosted private guests, which includes the likes of Thomas Edison. The apartment of by gone days has been restored and now has a wax structure of Gustave Eiffel, his daughter and Thomas Edison.
8 – Eiffel Tower was once married
There are many people around the world that have love for this magnificent monument. But in 2007, this elevated to a whole new level. A woman by the name of Erika La Tour claimed that she had fallen in love with Eiffel Tower. She married the Tower, and henceforth was known by the name of Erika Eiffel.
9 – Eiffel Tower could have been in Barcelona
If things had turned out differently for Eiffel Tower, then it was supposed to be built in Barcelona. But the proposal was rejected by the authorities over there.
10 – Eiffel Tower is coated with a heavy Paint
Usually we think of paint as a something that decorates the structure with its negligible presence. But we must wary you that the paint applied on Eiffel Tower is super heavy. It is estimated that the total weight of the paint applied on Eiffel Tower is equal to the weight of 10 elephants.
11 – Eiffel Tower was built with no injuries at work
It is estimated that it took around 2 years, 2 months and 5 days to complete the Eiffel Tower. It took around 50 Engineers and Architects, along with a workforce of around 500 workers to complete the monument. Another amazing fact about Eiffel Tower is that during its construction none of the workers were hurt or killed.
12 – Eiffel Tower has been sold twice
You might be surprised to know but Eiffel Tower was once sold. A con artist by the name of Victor Lustig pulled off this con. He read in a newspaper that Government of France is running out of funds to maintain and run the Eiffel Tower. He knew this was the chance, so he forged some government id and government papers to show that he was a government official who was entrusted with the task of selling Eiffel Tower as scrap. Many scrap dealers believed him, including André Poisson who wanted to make his name in the business world. He fell for the trap and gave the money to Lustig along with an extra bribe. After this Lustig fled to Austria and kept an eye on newspapers if Andre had reported this crime. Lustig even came back to pull this con again, but this time the police was alerted and Lustig had to flee to United States to avoid being getting caught.
13 – It once had a Post Office
Eiffel Tower has hosted many establishments inside its structure that included apartment, newsroom, radio station, and even a theatre. But the most Bizarre establishment was a post office. It was known to be the smallest post office of Paris. People would send postcards from here, with Eiffel Tower Post Stamps and Eiffel Tower Post Marks.
14 – Initially Eiffel Tower was hated by the Parisians
When the Eiffel Tower was initially built it was hated by many of the people of Paris, including the popular author Guy de Maupassant. The intellectuals Paris branded Eiffel Tower as mount of scrap that would tarnish the beauty of Paris, and its skyline.
15 – Puddle Iron was used in the making of Eiffel Tower
Gustave Eiffel was renowned for making many metal structures and the metal that he used in all of them including Eiffel Tower was Puddle Iron. This iron was derived from the Pompey Forges located in the East of France. This iron gets its name from the refining or puddling of iron. Gustave was a strong advocate for this type of iron and regarded it best for the purpose of construction.
16 – Nazis almost destroyed it
During World War II Eiffel Tower was almost destroyed. In August 1944, Nazis were losing control of the occupied Paris, hence Hitler made a plan to mine the Eiffel Tower with explosives. But Allied forces soon entered Paris and saved it from destruction.
17 – Eiffel Tower cannot be clicked in Nights
If you are a photographer who is keen on capturing the beauty of Eiffel Tower, then you must know that night time illuminated Eiffel Tower pictures are copyrighted. Yes you cannot take pictures of Eiffel Tower when it is illuminated, and you also cannot even upload them. For doing so, you need permission. However if you are a regular tourist, who uploads photos to social media, then there is an exception. All the photographers out there need to be wary about this fact.
18 – Eiffel Tower is the most clicked Monument of the world
It is strange that despite Law forbids Eiffel Tower to be photographed in night, this monument is the most clicked monument of the world. Every year around 7 Million pictures of Eiffel Tower are taken.
19 – Eiffel Tower has a skating rink
Here is another surprising fact about Eiffel Tower that there is an actual skating rink inside the tower. Now that is cool. You can enjoy skating inside the Eiffel Tower between months of December and February.
20 – It was once the tallest building of the world
At the time of world fair in 1889, Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world. It kept its whopping record for a time period of 40 years. It was in 1929, that Chrysler Building briefly and then Empire State Building took over this feat of Eiffel Tower.
21 – Eiffel Tower sways with strong winds
It is strange to hear but Eiffel Tower also sways if the wind is too strong. Although it only deviates by 4.5 inches, but this was something that the engineers of the Eiffel Tower have considered while in its making. In conditions when the wind is too strong, the entry inside the tower is not allowed.
22 – It has been painted in multiple colors
Since the time of its construction, Eiffel Tower has been painted 18 times. Several colors of paint have been used in the painting of Eiffel Tower which include Red Brown, Yellow and Bronze. It is known that ahead of the 2024 Olympics, the paint color of Eiffel Tower is going to get gold. It is to be noted that it is always painted using traditional methods, by a hand brush and bucket. The mechanical painting is strictly not used on Eiffel Tower. The painting of Eiffel Tower is done after every 7 years.
23 – It is as heavy as a Freight Train
It is estimated that Eiffel Tower weighs equally as like of a Freight Train. The total weight of Eiffel Tower stands at 10,100 tons, out of which the metal framework only weighs around 7300 tons, and the paint that is applied on the structure weighs around 60 tons.
24 – It is engraved with the names of French Scientists
The names of popular and renowned French Scientists have been engraved on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. This was done in the early 20th century, and the restoration of these engravings was done in the late 20th century. When visiting the tower, you can spot the names of Foucault, Dumas, and Perrier.
25 – Eiffel Tower has been used as a billboard for advertisement
Citroen, which is a French car manufacturer, used Eiffel Tower as a billboard for their advertisement, between the years of 1925 and 1934. It was done with help of 250,000 light bulbs.
26 – The structure of Eiffel Tower has 2.5 Million Rivets
It is estimated that the entire structure of Eiffel Tower is made up of 18,000 different parts which are held together by 13,000 bolts and 2.5 Million Rivets. Then restoration work of Eiffel Tower is constantly done by replacing many of its part which were built keeping in mind that the tower was only to last for 20 years.
27 – Eiffel Tower can hold up to 5000 people at a time
Despite of being so gigantic, Eiffel Tower has limitations on how many number of tourists can be inside the structure at a time which is capped at 5000. The first level of the Eiffel tower can have maximum 3000 people, while the second level can have maximum 1600 people while the top summit of the Eiffel tower can have a maximum 400 people.
Eiffel Tower is where you ought to be!
