Eiffel Tower, Lattice tower in Paris, France
The Eiffel Tower is a 330-metre wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, with a square base 125 metres on each side. Four arched legs rise to a first platform, then a second, and a slender shaft with X-shaped latticework ends in a small capped top.
It was built from 1887 to 1889 for the World's Fair marking the centennial of the French Revolution. Originally meant to stand for 20 years, it was saved because of its use for radio transmissions.
Locals call it "La dame de fer" (the Iron Lady), and its silhouette appears on souvenirs, postcards, and in films. The tower is a meeting point for Parisians and a highlight for visitors from around the world.
You can walk up to the first and second levels, but the top is usually reached by lift. Book your spot ahead and expect security checks at the entrance, especially in busy times.
Gustave Eiffel kept a private apartment on the top level, furnished with pieces by Jean Lachaise, where he received guests such as Thomas Edison. The tower's height has been raised several times by antennas, from 312.27 m with its 1889 flag to 330 m measured in 2022.
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