


La Tour Eiffel is one of the most beautiful structures in the world and an iconic symbol of France. Also known as La dame de fer (the iron lady), it was designed by Gustave Eiffel and is known as the tallest building in Paris. It measures at 300 metres high, without the 21 metre antenna on top. If visitors want to get to the top they must climb about 1665 steps or they can take one of the many elevators available.
The tower was built between 1887 and 1889 to commemorate the French Revolution. When it was first built it was very much criticized by the public and considered ugly, intrusive and a real eyesore. Many petitioned to have it down but did not succeed because the antenna was used for telegraphy. The tower was only suppose to exist for 20 years and then it would be dismantled but since it was valued for communication purposes, it wasn’t torn down. I’m sure that the 6,600,000 tourists that visit each year would be glad to know that!
Étant la plus saisissante manifestation de l’art des constructions métalliques par lesquelles nos ingénieurs se sont illustrés en Europe, elle est une des formes les plus frappantes de notre génie national moderne. Gustave Eiffel