Paris is a city brimming with awe-inspiring beauty. It is known for its contributions to fashion, beauty, architecture, and the arts all across the world. There are few structures in the world as famous as the Eiffel Tower, despite the fact that it is surrounded by breath-taking sights. The Eiffel Tower first opened to the public on March 31, 1889. The architectural masterpiece, the Eiffel Tower, is the archetypal sight on any Paris itinerary, and it has quite a few unique tales to its name.
There are a lot of things that everyone knows about the Eiffel Tower, but there are also a lot of things that a surprising number of people don’t know about it – and this list includes both.
1. Suppose to be temporary: The 1889 Exposition Universelle, often known as the World’s Fair, was held in Paris to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the French Revolution. The Eiffel Tower was planned to be a temporary installation, with the primary show being an extravagant entrance arch. Because an antenna was erected at the top of the Tower to convey wireless communications, it was never taken down.
2. Current design was not the original plan: The contemporary Eiffel Tower is not the construction that was originally proposed to Gustave Eiffel. Eiffel thought the early ideas were too austere after seeing them. That is why the architect requested that the remodel incorporate additional features and flourishes. The final design was approved by Eiffel in 1884, and the building began in 1887.
3. People were against its construction: Many prominent thinkers of the time objected fiercely to the construction of the Eiffel Tower, calling it “an enormous black chimney” that would detract from Paris’ beauty. A petition was given to the government with over 300 signatures from Paris enthusiasts opposing the useless and gigantic Eiffel Tower in the name of French taste and endangered French art and heritage
4. Hitler ordered demolition of the tower: Germany conquered France during World War II. Hitler ordered the destruction of the Eiffel Tower at the time. Fortunately, the military governor in charge did not carry out this order. Furthermore, resistance fighters in France cut the Tower’s elevator wires to compel the Nazis to climb the Eiffel steps and place their flag.
5. Size of tower changes with weather: Latticed wrought iron was used to build the tower to show that it could be just as robust as stone while being lighter. On a typical day, it stands around 1,060 feet tall, including its antenna, however, this might vary depending on the weather. It expands and grows roughly 6 inches higher in the sun, while it shrinks by approximately 6 inches in the cold.
6. Suppose to stand for 20 years: The tower was constructed to allow the French to demonstrate their manufacturing skills during the 1889 World’s Fair, which commemorated the centennial of the French Revolution. It was never planned to remain permanently atop the Champ-de-Mars, and it was due to be demolished in 1909. As the tower was seen by the citizens of Paris and the rest of the globe, they fell in love with it. The antenna at the top proved handy for telegrams, so it was never knocked down.
7. The tower has a wife: Erika Aya (or Erika Eiffel, as she chooses to be known) is an American who married the Tower in a commitment ceremony in 2007. She first saw the Eiffel Tower in 2004 and was immediately captivated by it. (It is said that she has a condition called paraphilia, where people develop significant relationships with inanimate objects.)
8. Secret apartment on 3rd level: Gustave Eiffel included a tiny apartment for himself on the tower’s third floor in his design. It’s completely equipped, including a grand piano, and is connected to a few lab spaces where he conducted various experiments. He utilised the flat as a private retreat where he could spend time alone and entertain some spectacular visitors. Although Eiffel’s flat is no longer accessible for public rental, it has been displayed for visitors, with most of the original furniture remaining.
9. Traditional repainting: The Eiffel Tower has been repainted 18 times since its completion, going from red-brown to yellow to bronze now. Painting the tower is done using strictly conventional methods, which means it’s still done using a paintbrush and a bucket, and no automated painting is allowed.
10. Ice rink inside the tower: Every year, about 6 million people visit the Eiffel Tower, making it the world’s most-visited paid monument. This winter ice rink, which opened just last year, is open during the prime winter months of December to February and is erected 200 feet above the earth, providing amazing views of Paris.
11. Post office in Eiffel tower: A little post office may be located close to the souvenir stores on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. People may receive a ‘carte postale’ and a stamp to send their letters from the Eiffel Tower’s post office. The mail will arrive with a special postmark.
12. Names of scientists engraved in tower: There are 72 names of French scientists engraved on the Eiffel Tower. For some time, the engraved tributes were covered up. However, some restoration efforts have restored their visibility. Some of the names etched into the iron, such as Dumas, Foucault, and Perrier may be seen by visitors who take their time to examine the tower.
