History of the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel, a French engineer, and his company, the Compagnie des Établissements Eiffel. It was constructed for the 1889 World's Fair, which was held in Paris to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The tower was meant to be a temporary structure, but its popularity and usefulness as a telecommunications tower ensured that it was allowed to remain standing.
Design and Construction
The design of the Eiffel Tower was controversial when it was first proposed. Many people thought it was an eyesore and would ruin the beauty of Paris. However, Eiffel's design was chosen out of over 100 submissions because of its innovative design and the fact that it could be constructed relatively quickly.
The tower was constructed using over 18,000 pieces of iron and took over two years to build. The base of the tower is square and measures 125 meters (410 feet) on each side. The tower then tapers to a point at the top, where a flagpole extends an additional 24 meters (79 feet) into the sky.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is open to visitors every day of the year. Visitors can choose to take the stairs or an elevator to reach the various levels of the tower. There are three levels in total, with the first two accessible by stairs or elevator, and the third level only accessible by elevator.
The first level is 57 meters (187 feet) above the ground and offers views of the city and the Champ de Mars park. The second level is 115 meters (377 feet) above the ground and provides even more stunning views of Paris. The third level, at 276 meters (906 feet), is the highest observation deck and provides a panoramic view of the entire city.
The Eiffel Tower also has several restaurants and gift shops, as well as a museum about the tower's history and construction.
Conclusion
The Eiffel Tower is an iconic landmark that represents the spirit of Paris. It is a symbol of French engineering and innovation and has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. Whether you choose to take in the views from the observation decks or enjoy a meal at one of the tower's restaurants, visiting the Eiffel Tower is an unforgettable experience that should be on everyone's bucket list.
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