Eiffel Tower, Iron tower in Champ de Mars, France
The Eiffel Tower is an iron lattice structure on the Champ de Mars in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, standing 324 m tall including its antenna. Four arched pillars at ground level taper upward through three observation platforms toward the summit, with the open framework built from riveted girders.
Gustave Eiffel and his engineers built the tower between 1887 and 1889 as a temporary monument for the World Fair celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the French Revolution. City authorities initially planned its demolition in 1909, but its usefulness as a wireless transmission station saved the structure from destruction.
The tower transmits television and radio signals across the region while appearing as a widely recognized emblem of French engineering on postcards, advertisements and souvenirs. For Parisians it forms part of the everyday skyline, while visitors treat it as a highlight on nearly every travel itinerary.
Lower platforms can be reached by stairs or elevators, while the top level requires lift access only. Advance booking is recommended to avoid waiting times that may exceed two hours during busy seasons, with security checks carried out at the entrance.
The structure expands up to 15 cm during heat, causing the summit to lean away from the sun. The original 1889 elevator mechanism still operates in one of the legs.
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