The Eiffel Tower has stood in Paris since 1889.
It took two years, two months, and five days to build.
The company that built it was owned by a man called Gustave Eiffel.
That’s where the tower gets its name.
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When was the Eiffel Tower Built
The Eiffel Tower was built as the main exhibit at the 1889 World’s Fair – a big international exhibition.
The tower was only supposed to stand for 20 years, but because it is also used to transmit radio programs, it was allowed to stay!
Since it was built, over 250 million people have visited the tower and today it is one of the most well-known buildings in the world.
Eiffel Tower Facts for Kids
- The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889
- The Eiffel Tower is 1,063 feet tall.
- The tower is repainted every seven years.
- There are 18,038 metal parts in the tower and 7,300 tons of iron.
- Each night, 20,000 lightbulbs light up the tower.
- When it’s windy, the tower sways around two to three inches in the wind.
- There’s so much iron that the tower’s nickname is the Iron Lady!
How many steps in the Eiffel Tower
In total there are 1665 steps from the bottom to the top of the Eiffel Tower. However, you are only allowed to go to the second floor using the stairs and must use the elevator thereafter.
There are 347 steps from the bottom to the first floor and 327 steps from the first floor to the second (674 in total). From the second floor to the top there are 991 steps.
Visitors can walk up the first two levels and take a lift to the third and final level.
There is almost always a queue to go up the Eiffel Tower.
What’s at the top of the Eiffel tower
You’ll find an exhibition at the top of the tower with a mock setup of Gustave Eiffel’s office. It has wax models depicting Gustave and his daughter Claire welcoming Thomas Edison.
From the top, there’s a 360-degree view of Paris. It’s particularly beautiful at night.
Why Was The Eiffel Tower Built
It was built as an engineering challenge for the 1889 Paris Universal Exposition. The tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who had previously constructed the famous iron structure at the 1878 World’s Fair in London.
Eiffel wanted to create a monument that would stand for France and symbolize her industrial might. He also hoped that his design would inspire other engineers around the world.
Why Is The Eiffel Tower Famous
It was built as an engineering marvel for the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who had previously worked on the Statue of Liberty.
The tower was made from wrought iron and steel, both relatively new materials. Eiffel also used his experience building bridges to design the structure.
He wanted to create a monument that would stand for centuries, but he didn’t want to build another copy of the Arc de Triomphe. Instead, he created something completely different.
Why Is The Eiffel Tower Important
The tower symbolizes Paris as an international city and its status as a world leader in art and architecture. It also represents France’s technological progress and modernity.
How Tall Is The Eiffel Tower
It’s 1,083 feet high. The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World Fair in Paris. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel and opened on July 14th, 1887.
How Long Did It Take To Build The Eiffel Tower
It took 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days for Gustave Eiffel to build his famous tower. The tower wasn’t completed until 1889, when it was officially opened. It cost $1.5 million to construct.
How Heavy Is The Eiffel Tower
It weighs 10,100 tons.
Why is the Eiffel Tower painted every 7 years?
Weather conditions mean that the paint has to be renewed every seven years. This is done to protect the metal from corrosion.
Who owns the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel tower belongs to France. The City of Paris now owns the tower, which operates it as an attraction.
Why is the Eiffel Tower a symbol of love
Thousands of marriage proposals take place on the Eiffel Tower each year. People propose to their partners here because it represents eternal love.
Why is the Eiffel Tower considered a world wonder?
Its design and engineering make it one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It’s also a symbol of modern architecture.
The Eiffel Tower is a masterpiece of engineering and design. It’s a testament to human ingenuity and creativity.
Eiffel Tower used in Movies
The tower has been seen in hundreds of movies sometimes movies have been filmed within the tower, for example, James Bond -A View to a Kill (1985) and sometimes it is more subtle where it is in the background. Here is a list of movies compiled by bfi.org.uk which makes interesting reading.
Paris qui dort (1924)
The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
Funny Face (1957)
Zazie dans le métro (1960)
The Great Race (1965)
King Kong Escapes (1967)
The Conformist (1970)
Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977)
A View to a Kill (1985)
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Sicko (2007)
Ratatouille (2007)
The Flight of the Red Balloon (2007)
Hugo (2011)
More fun Eiffel Tower Facts
It was the tallest structure in the world until the Chrysler Building was built in New York in 1930.
The tower isn’t always the same height, though. During cold weather, the tower shrinks and is six inches shorter!
This takes 15 months and 60 tons of paint! It also takes 25 painters who paint the tower with paintbrushes. Yes, it’s all done by hand!
The tower hasn’t always been the same color, though. It used to be a red-brown color but today it’s bronze.
72 engineers, scientists, and mathematicians worked on the tower. All of their names are engraved on the side.
Sometimes there are special light shows, too, such as on New Year’s Eve 2000.
If guests get hungry or thirsty while visiting the tower, they can try one of the tower’s restaurants or bars, and enjoy beautiful views of the city as they eat and drink.
When the building of the tower began, not everyone in Paris was happy about it. They didn’t all love the idea of the huge, modern metal structure. Today, however, the tower is the symbol not only of Paris but also of France.
Many painters have painted the Eiffel Tower and it can be seen in many films.
People have written poems and even songs about it. It really is pretty famous!
Gustave Eiffel did not only create the Eiffel Tower. In fact, the Eiffel Tower was the last thing he worked on. Before that, he had also designed some parts of the Statue of Liberty in New York. He had also designed a railway station in Hungary and bridges over rivers in France and Portugal.
Question: How much does the Eiffel Tower weigh?
Answer: It weighs 10,100 tons.
Question: Is the Eiffel Tower the tallest monument in Paris?
Answer: Yes, it is!
