Construction
Gustave Eiffel, then master of architecture with wrought iron planned to spend 12 months constructing the Eiffel Tower, but in reality it became twice as long.
Construction work began on Jan. 28, 1887, and ended at the end of March 1889. The tower was completed in time for the official opening of the 1889 World’s Fair.
The total cost of building the Eiffel Tower totaled 1.5 million French francs (about €230,000) more than expected.
Much of the construction was already pre-assembled in Eiffel’s factories, so there were never more than 250 workers on the construction site itself. More than half of all rivets used were already placed in the factories.
Fifty engineers spent two years drawing out 5,300 drawings of all the details of the Eiffel Tower. A total of 1,838 wrought iron pieces were used, each of which was sketched out.
By using wrought iron as a building material, the tower is resistant to metal fatigue and meteorological conditions, and thus should last for many centuries to come.
The total weight of over 10,000,000kg is spread on the ground by 4 concrete bases.
How tall is the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower totals 330m in height. To the top of the flagpole, not counting the television antennas, the Eiffel Tower is 317 meters high. Including television antennas, therefore, it is 330 meters high. Depending on the outside temperature, the tower can change in height by up to 15cm due to the expansion and contraction of the metal structure.
At 330 meters, the Eiffel Tower is not among the tallest towers in the world. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is in first place with a height of 828 meters.
How many floors does the Eiffel Tower have?
The Eiffel Tower has 3 platforms, all of which are accessible to visitors. The highest accessible platform is located at a height of 276m. From this platform you have a magnificent view of the French capital of Paris.
On the second floor, 57m above the ground, the Eiffel Tower has a glass floor through which you can see all the way down.
Not immediately for people afraid of heights.
How often is the Eiffel Tower visited?
Every year, the Eiffel Tower is visited by more than 7 million people. This makes it the most visited monument in France.
The United States is the main country of origin for foreign visitors, followed by China, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy.
Where is the Eiffel Tower located?
The Eiffel Tower is located on the western side of Paris, in the 7th arrondissement of the French capital.
The Eiffel Tower stands on the Champ de Mars, a large public park that runs along the Seine River. The tower is also near other major attractions, such as the Musée du Louvre and the Grand Palais. The Eiffel Tower is easily accessible by public transportation, with several subway and bus lines leading to the area around the tower. Many cabs and tour boats are also available for those who wish to visit the tower from other parts of the city or from the river.
Address: Champ de Mars, Paris.
The GPS coordinates of the Eiffel Tower are:
48° 51′ N, 2° 17′ O
The Eiffel Tower can be reached by public transportation:
Metro: Bir Hakeim, Ecole Militaire
RER: Ligne C – Station Champ de Mars
Bus: 42, 69, 72, 82, 87
