The height of the eiffel tower. Where is the eiffel tower

The unique metal structure, created by the outstanding architect and engineer Gustave Eiffel, is a symbol of the most beautiful capital in the world. A large number of tourists visit Paris every year just to see this miracle. You can admire not only the grandiose building itself, but also the stunning views of the city. The tower has three levels, each of which provides the visitor with the opportunity to see a stunning panorama. Everyone knows where the Eiffel Tower is located, but not everyone knows the history of the creation of a grandiose structure. In this article, we will consider the main symbol of Paris.

The history of the tower

To decorate the world exhibition in Paris, the city leadership decided to create a landmark and grandiose object. He was supposed to impress the foreigners who came to the exhibition. The famous engineer was entrusted to develop and create the object, who at first was confused, but then presented the city authorities with an unusual project of a high tower. It was approved, and Gustave Eiffel undertook its implementation.

What year was the Eiffel Tower built?

When they first see an unusual structure, many are wondering how old the Eiffel Tower is. It was created in 1889 and was intended to decorate the entrance to a grandiose exhibition. This event was dedicated to the centenary of the French Revolution and was carefully planned. Having received permission to build a unique design, Gustave Eiffel set about creating a tower. More than eight million francs were allocated for the construction, with this money it was possible to build a small city. By agreement with the chief architect, the dismantling of the building was to take place two decades after the opening of the exhibition. Considering the year in which the Eiffel Tower was built, it was supposed to be dismantled in 1909, but due to the endless flow of tourists, it was decided to leave the structure.

How was the main symbol of Paris created?

The construction of the main object of the Paris exhibition lasted about two years. Three hundred workers assembled the structure according to superbly designed drawings. Metal parts were made in advance, the weight of each of them was within three tons, which greatly facilitated the task of lifting and fastening the parts. More than two million metal rivets were made, holes for them were pre-drilled in prepared parts.

The lifting of the elements of the metal structure was carried out with the help of special cranes. After the height of the structure exceeded the size of the equipment, the chief designer developed special cranes that moved along rails designed for elevators. Given the information about how many meters the Eiffel Tower is, serious work safety measures were required, and a lot of attention was paid to this. During construction, there were no tragic deaths or serious accidents, which was a great achievement considering the scale of the work.

After the opening of the exhibition, the tower was a huge success - thousands of people were eager to see the bold project. However, the creative elite of Paris treated the architectural masterpiece in a completely different way. A large number of complaints were sent to the city administration. Writers, poets and artists feared that the giant metal tower would destroy the unique style of the city. The architecture of the capital took shape over the centuries, and the iron giant, visible from every corner of Paris, definitely violated it.

Eiffel Tower height in meters

The ingenious Eiffel created a tower 300 meters high. The building got its name in honor of its creator, but the engineer himself called it the “three hundred meter tower”. After construction, a spire-antenna was installed on top of the structure. The height of the tower together with the spire is 324 meters. The design scheme is as follows:

● four columns of the tower stand on a concrete foundation, rising up, they are intertwined into a single high column;

● At a height of 57 meters, the first floor is located, which is a large platform that can accommodate several thousand people. In winter, there is a skating rink on the ground floor, which is very popular. This level also houses a great restaurant, a museum and even a small movie theater;

● four columns finally join at the level of 115 meters, forming the second floor, with an area slightly less than the first. On this level there is a restaurant with excellent French cuisine, a historical gallery and an observation deck with panoramic windows;

● The height of the Eiffel Tower in meters is amazing, but the maximum available to visitors is 276 meters. It is on it that the last, third floor is located, capable of accommodating several hundred people. From the observation deck of this level, you can admire a breathtaking view. Also on this floor is a champagne bar and the chief designer's office.

Over the years, the color of the tower has changed, the structure was painted either yellow or brick. In recent years, the building has been painted in a brown shade, which is almost indistinguishable from the color of bronze.

The mass of the metal giant is about 10,000 tons. The tower is well fortified and practically does not suffer from the wind. Eiffel was well aware that when building his fantastic structure, first of all, it was necessary to ensure its stability and resistance to wind loads. Precise mathematical calculations made it possible to design the ideal shape of the object.

The tower is currently open to the public. Everyone can buy a ticket and enjoy the breathtaking views of the beautiful city.

Where is the Eiffel Tower located in Paris?

The construction is located in the central part of Paris, on the Champ de Mars, opposite the magnificent building is the Jena bridge. Walking around the center of the capital, you just need to raise your eyes, and you will see the symbol of France, after that you just have to move in the right direction.

There are several metro stations near the tower, many bus routes stop at the main attraction, in addition, there is a pier for stopping pleasure boats and boats nearby, and parking for cars and bicycles is also provided.

Once in the beautiful capital of France, you do not have to ask where the Eiffel Tower in Paris is located, because the magnificent structure can be seen from almost every corner of the city. At night, it is also impossible to miss the unique design, as the tower is illuminated by several thousand light bulbs.

Paris, where the Eiffel Tower is located, is rightfully proud of its main attraction. Great views, great restaurants and breathtaking heights await you when you visit the grand structure. For many years the tower was the tallest architectural masterpiece in the world. This magnificent wonder of the world leaves an unforgettable impression. Once having visited the bar on the third floor of the tower, having enjoyed excellent champagne and, you will definitely want to come back here again.

In the distant times of the great Parisian exhibition - and this was in 1889 - the leadership of Paris, namely the city administration, asked the great architect and engineer, Gustave Eiffel, to create something of that kind, grandiose, which would serve as a gateway to enter the world Parisian exhibition. The exhibition was dedicated to the centenary of the great French Revolution of 1789, so I wanted to see something sharp and majestic in one architectural monument.

At first, having received the task, the engineer was confused and already wanted to refuse, but then, by a lucky chance, in his notes he discovered a project for a 300-meter tower, which, in his opinion, could impress the city administration. Eiffel was not mistaken and soon received a patent for the construction of this project, and then left himself the exclusive right to it. So, the tower erected as an entrance to the world exhibition in Paris, became known as the Eiffel Tower in honor of its builder. According to the agreement concluded between the Eiffel and the city administration, the dismantling of the tower was to take place 20 years after the opening of the exhibition. The cost of building the tower at that time amounted to 8 million francs, which was equivalent to the construction of a small town. The fame of the 300-meter iron tower with majestic beams has spread throughout the world.

From all countries from all over the world stretched a huge flow of tourists who want to see this wonder of the world with their own eyes. Thanks to this, the cost of the tower returned to investors within a year and a half. It is not difficult to imagine how much income the Eiffel Tower began to bring. At the end of the period, when it became necessary under the contract to dismantle the structure, the general decision of the authorities and the builders was to leave the tower. The main factor influencing this decision was the huge income that the Eiffel Tower brought. Another important factor was that the tower had a large number of radio antennas. The height of the building, coupled with the number of radio antennas on it, made France a leader in the field of radio broadcasting and significantly influenced its development.

Even today in Paris - there, where is the eiffel tower, there is no building higher and more majestic than this wonder of the world. Already from a height of 150 meters, a full view of the city opens up, the panorama of which sinks so deeply into the heart that it becomes impossible not to fall in love with Paris. At the moment of contemplating the city from such a height, you are completely immersed in its atmosphere and you feel all its subtleties inside yourself. The Seine River, the Champs Elysees, great cathedrals and temples, parks, streets, alleys, avenues - all this passes through you and leaves an indelible mark on your soul. And how many great works of art have been dedicated to the Eiffel Tower? The greatest poets and artists in their creations described the majesty and uniqueness of this place. Such works made a significant contribution to the heritage of world culture.

Today the Eiffel Tower is the most important symbol of Paris. If you ask any person, no matter from which country " where is the Eiffel Tower? he, in 90 cases out of 100, will immediately answer “Paris!”.

Flying over Paris, any person will try to find this majestic tower, the symbol of Paris and all of France.

As you have probably already noticed, the history of the tower is very rich. It would seem nothing surprising - any wonder of the world always attracts a lot of attention. However, the historical actions associated with the Eiffel Tower are more related to its height. A funny incident happened back in 1912, when an Austrian tailor created his own parachute, with a "special" design. Having climbed to the very top, the Austrian decided to conquer the world with his amazing act, but the parachute did not open and the tailor crashed to death, which is not surprising - after all, the height of the tower is 324 meters. After this incident, skydiving from the Eiffel Tower was no longer observed, but, unfortunately, a series of suicides began on it. Even to this day, many suicidal people from all over the world choose this tower as their last point. The last official date for suicide is June 25, 2012.

In 2002, the number of visitors to the tower for the year amounted to more than 200 million, which is equivalent to 550,000 people per day. If we imagine that the entrance to the tower was about 2 euros per person, it is not difficult to calculate how much annual income the tower brings from a visitor who has just entered inside. And if you calculate how much money the average tourist leaves in bars, restaurants, shops, then the figure will increase by an average of 3 times.

In the winter of 2004-2005, an ice skating rink was poured onto the first floor of the tower to attract and host the 2012 Winter Olympics in Paris. After that, the tradition of pouring ice over the first floor became an annual event.

It is also surprising that the French turned out to be quite enterprising people, and during the entire existence of the Eiffel Tower it was sold at least 2 dozen times. A certain Viktor Lustig deserves special attention, who twice (!) managed to sell the tower as scrap metal.

Nevertheless, answering the question: "Where is the Eiffel Tower" one has to remember the Champ de Mars, opposite the Jena Bridge. On the Paris Metro, the station is called Bir-Hakeim.

The Eiffel Tower, the symbol of Paris, has a complicated history. At first, it was categorically not accepted, then they got used to it, and now it is impossible to imagine the capital of France without this amazing structure.

Location

The famous symbol of Paris, which gives the city a look familiar to the whole world, is located on a former military parade ground, which has been turned into a beautiful park. It is divided into alleys, decorated with small ponds and flower beds. Opposite the tower is the Jena Bridge. The delicate openwork construction is visible from many points in Paris, though Eiffel did not originally plan for it. The tower was supposed to fulfill one function - to become an unusual entrance to the World's Fair.

Design approval and design assignment

The history of the Eiffel Tower began at the end of the 19th century. In 1889, the World Exhibition was to be held in the capital of France. This event was of great importance for the country. It was timed to coincide with the centenary of the day and was supposed to last for 6 months.

One of the objectives of the exhibition is to demonstrate technical innovations, so the creators of the pavilions competed whose project would reflect the future the most. The entrance to the exhibition was supposed to be an arch. The architects were given the task to prepare a project for a structure that would demonstrate the technical strength of the country and the achievements of engineering.

A proposal to participate in the competition from the Paris administration came to all the engineering and design bureaus of the city, including Gustave Eiffel. He did not have ready-made solutions, and he decided to look for something suitable in projects that were shelved. It was there that he found a sketch of the tower, created by Maurice Queshlen, his employee. With the help of Emile Nouguier, the design of the building was finalized and submitted to the competition by Eiffel. The prudent engineer first received a patent for it together with the creators of the project, and then bought it from Keshlen and Nougier. Thus, ownership of the drawings of the tower passed to Gustave Eiffel.

Many interesting and controversial projects were proposed for the competition, and the history of the Eiffel Tower might never have begun. The engineer made changes to the design to make it more decorative, and from the four remaining applicants at the end of the competition, the commission chose him.

Eiffel Tower - the year the construction began and the stages of construction

The construction of the giant structure began on January 28, 1887. It lasted for two years, two months and five days. At that time it was an unprecedented speed. Everything was explained by the highest accuracy of the drawings, in which the size of more than 18 thousand structural details was scrupulously accurately indicated. In addition, in order to speed up the pace of work as much as possible, Eiffel used prefabricated parts of the tower. Two and a half million rivets were used to connect all the details of the structure. In the parts prepared in advance, the holes for the rivets were already drilled, and most of them were installed, which greatly speeded up the assembly.

Eiffel provided that none of the pre-prepared beams and other parts of the structure weighed more than 3 tons - so it was easier to lift them with cranes. When the height of the tower outgrew the size of the lifting devices, mobile cranes specially designed by the architect came to the rescue, which moved along the rails created for future elevators.

The most difficult thing for them was not work at the very top, at a height of 300 meters, but the erection of the first platform of the tower. Sand-filled metal cylinders supported the weight of four inclined supports. Gradually releasing sand, they could be set in the correct position. When this was done, the first platform was installed strictly horizontally.

The cost of the construction of the tower amounted to almost 8 million francs. The construction costs were repaid within the time of the exhibition (6 months).

Weight and size of the structure

How many meters tall was the Eiffel Tower at first? It was 300 meters and was much more amazing in its size (93 meters along with a granite pedestal).

How high is the Eiffel Tower now? After installing a new antenna, it became 24 meters higher. The total weight of the tower is 10 thousand tons. With each painting, the weight of the building increases by another 60 tons.

The fate of the tower after the exhibition and the attitude of the Parisians towards it

According to the agreement concluded with the Eiffel, the tower was to be dismantled 20 years after the construction. Its success was resounding - during the exhibition, more than two million people wanted to look at the ingenious building, which had no equal in the world. During the year, it was possible to recoup most of the construction costs. But the admiration of the visitors of the exhibition was not shared by the creative intelligentsia of Paris. The Eiffel Tower (France did not know a more controversial opinion about any other building) caused outrage and irritation among artists and writers. They considered it ugly, like a factory chimney, and feared that it would violate the unique image of Paris, which has been developing for centuries.

The history of the Eiffel Tower could have ended with its dismantling, if not for the advent of the era of radio. Radio antennas were installed on the building, and the building acquired significant strategic value. The demolition of the tower was now out of the question. In 1906, a radio station was placed in the Eiffel Tower, and in 1957 a television antenna appeared on its top.

Description of the Eiffel Tower and the reasons for its design features

The lower floor of the building is a pyramid. It is formed by four inclined supports. The first square (65 meters in diameter) platform of the tower rests on them. The supports are connected by arched openwork vaults. Above on four pillars lies the second platform. The next four columns of the tower begin to intertwine and join into a huge column. It contains the third platform. Above it are a lighthouse and a small platform a little more than a meter in diameter.

On the first site, as conceived by the architect, there was a restaurant. On the second floor there was another restaurant and containers of machine oil for servicing the elevators. The third site was given over to laboratories (astronomical and meteorological).

For the unusual shape of the tower, the Eifel was criticized at the time. In fact, the brilliant engineer and architect was well aware that for such a tall structure, the main danger is a strong wind. The design and shape of the tower are designed to withstand large wind loads.

Eiffel Tower: interesting about the famous symbol of Paris

Adolf Hitler during the occupation of France by German troops visited Paris and expressed a desire to climb the Eiffel Tower. But right before his arrival, the elevator drive was seriously damaged, and it was not possible to repair it in military conditions. The German leader was never able to climb the tower. After the liberation of the French capital, the elevator started working a few hours later.

The architect of the Eiffel Tower was very concerned about safety issues, since the work was carried out at a very high altitude. In the entire history of construction, not a single worker died - this is a real achievement for those years.

Unpleasant events are also associated with the Eiffel Tower - in 2009 it was awarded the third place in popularity among suicides.

It will take a year and a half of work and 60 tons of paint to repaint the tower.

On a day, the tower consumes as much electricity as a small village of a hundred houses.

The famous symbol of Paris has its own patented color - "brown eiffel". It is as close as possible to the real bronze shade of the structures of the structure.

There are more than 300 copies of the famous tower in the world. Several of them are located in Russia: in Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Perm, Voronezh and Irkutsk.

Eiffel Tower in culture

The famous building has repeatedly become the object of interest of artists, poets, writers and directors.

The history of the Eiffel Tower is recorded in documentary sources, and its possible future has been shown more than once in apocalyptic films. One of the most interesting films is the documentary The Future of the Planet: Life After People. It shows that without maintenance, the Eiffel Tower will not be able to withstand its main enemies for a long time: rust and wind. In about 150-300 years, its upper part at the level of the third platform will collapse and fall.

But most often the Eiffel Tower can be seen on the canvases of artists. Jean Bero, known for his genre paintings depicting everyday life in Paris, created the painting "Near the Eiffel Tower", in which a Parisian woman looks at a huge building with surprise. Marc Chagall devoted a lot of works to the creation of Eiffel.

Conclusion

One of the most recognizable buildings in the world is the Eiffel Tower. France is rightly proud of this amazing symbol of Paris. The view from the top of the tower to the city is magnificent.

You can admire it any day - the brilliant creation of Gustave Eiffel is open to visitors on weekends as well.

Visiting the Eiffel Tower is on the priority list of every self-respecting tourist. For some, it is enough to take a photo against its background, for some it is important to go up to the observation deck, and someone hurries here at night to see the hourly light show - illumination and take a few pictures when the tower contours are up to 01: 00 are illuminated by backlight.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower

• By metro: Bir-Hakeim (M6), Trocadero (M9)
• By train RER From: Champs de Mars - Tour Eiffel
• By bus: Tour Eiffel: No. 82, 42; Champ de Mars: No. 82, 87, 69

Tickets for the Eiffel Tower

The price of tickets varies depending on how you will climb: on foot or by elevator. If your plans do not include visiting the upper platform, then you can save money by climbing on foot. But if you want to visit the third level, you will have to pay for the elevator, which will take you from the first to the third level and back.

Ticket prices up to the second level (115 meters):

• On foot adult: 10 euros
• Walking youth (12-24 years old): 5 euros
• Walking children (4-11 years old): 2.50 euros
• On the lift adult: 16 euros
• Youth lift: 8 euros
• Child: 4 euro

Ticket prices up to the third level (276 meters):

• Adult: 25 euros
• Youth (12-24 years old): €12.50
• Child (4-11 years old): €6.30

Combined ticket to the third level (stairs + elevator)

• Adult: 19 euros
• Youth (12-24 years old): €9.50
• Child (4-11 years old): €4.80

Schedule

Mid June to early September:

• 09:00 - 00:45 - elevator and stairs; allowed until 24:00; the last elevator goes up to the third level at 23:00.

Rest of the year:

• 9:30 - 23:45 - elevator; the last session at 22:30 - to the second level, at 23:00 - to the third level.
• 9:30 - 18:30 - stairs; last session at 18:00.

Eiffel Tower levels

The Eiffel Tower is divided into 4 levels: ground and three floors with observation decks.

1. At the ground level there are ATMs, an information board, souvenir shops (in the tower supports), a buffet with snacks, hydraulic machines from the foundation of the structure (which can only be seen during the tour), as well as a bust of G. Eiffel, which is located at the corner of the North Pillar .
2. At a height of 57 meters, a reconstruction has recently taken place. Now you can walk along the first floor, seeing the ground under your feet, the floors here are glass and transparent. Also added are modern computerized information stands along the terrace. Here you can see the remains (4.30 meters high) of the stairs, which originally led to the very top, to the office of G. Eiffel. It will be interesting for children to watch the light show, which will tell about the Eiffel Tower in an interesting way. All entertainment services are located in the Ferrié pavilion. A buffet, a relaxation area, a souvenir shop, the G. Eiffel room, which is used for various events, as well as The 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant - all this is located on the first level of the tower.
3. No less interesting will be the second level of the tower, at a height of 115 meters. In addition to the observation deck, there is a souvenir shop, a buffet with organic snacks, information stands, as well as the Jules Verne restaurant.
4. At an altitude of more than 276 meters, there is an observation deck of the Eiffel Tower, which offers a gorgeous view of the capital. It is here that advanced tourists strive to get, so that, under the impression of what they see, they can drink a glass of champagne in the Champange bar (by the way, an expensive pleasure!) get acquainted with the layout of the original tower built in 1889 on a scale of 1:50.

Panoramic views from the Eiffel Tower

Separately, I would like to emphasize that dressing here is practical. Take a windproof jacket with you as the upper decks are windy. Many who visit the tower in windy weather (which is quite common here) claim that the tower shakes slightly. Therefore, take care of comfortable clothes and go to conquer the Eiffel Tower.

Photo of the Eiffel Tower

• (price: 43.00 €, 2.5 hours)
• (price: 45.00 €, 3 hours)
• (price: 25.00 €, 3 hours)

Skip the line to the Eiffel Tower

Near the Eiffel Tower there is always a crowd of tourists and giant queues. Those who do not know how to avoid a three-hour downtime stand in a general queue at the ticket office, and then stand in line for the elevator that takes you to all levels of the tower. Occupation is tiring and brings little pleasure, isn't it?

The way out of the situation is extremely simple - you need to buy a ticket in advance for a specific date and day. You can do this via the Internet. Since the method is known to many, it may happen that tickets for the day you need may be sold out. In rare cases, it can take, but this is unlikely. Therefore, tickets should be sought three months before the planned visit to Paris. Such tickets go on sale at 8:30 am local time and are sold out without a trace in the first hours.

If the date is not important, then you can find a ticket a month before the visit. By printing your ticket, you will be able to enter the Eiffel Tower without a queue, provided that you are not more than 30 minutes late from the visit time indicated on the ticket. Therefore, it is better to be in the lobby of the tower 10 minutes before the indicated time.

The second way is to buy a tour, the price of which includes a visit to the Eiffel Tower without a queue.

• (62.50 €)
• (43.00 €)

panoramic restaurants

Briefly, it is worth mentioning the restaurants of the Eiffel Tower. Prices are very high, and they grow exponentially with each level.

From the windows 58 Tour Eiffel(first level) offers a magnificent view of the Seine and the famous Place du Trocadero. The cozy spacious halls of the restaurant are ideal for both a romantic dinner and a gala reception (up to 200 guests).

Lunch, costing about 50 euros, consists of three courses and a drink. The menu may include seafood, truffles, lamb and vegetables, salmon fillet with chestnut puree, dessert and a good wine list. Dinner provides a more interesting menu. For example, an appetizer of the client's choice, a glass of champagne, a main course, an original dessert and coffee will cost about 140 euros per person. A table must be reserved in advance.

By booking a table in Le Jules Verne(second level) the window offers a panoramic view of Paris from a height of 124 meters. The luxurious interior is furnished with antique furniture, and first-class service, pleasant music and an impressive collection of wines justify such an impressive price tag on the menu.

A lunch of onion soup and cold foie gras with fig jam plus pistachio cakes will cost 90 euros, while a lobster dinner will cost at least 200 euros.

At the top level is champagne bar, where you can buy a glass of real French champagne. 100 ml of champagne will cost from 13 to 22 euros.

In a word, if you don’t go broke, then you can reduce the thickness of your wallet by eating at the Eiffel Tower and drinking a glass of champagne. Decide, as they say, whether you need it or not.

History of the Eiffel Tower

In 1889, with the celebration of the centenary of the revolution, the government of the Third Republic decided to shock the public. The next world trade and industrial exhibition was timed to coincide with the anniversary of democracy. Innovations in production technologies, the emergence of new types of products required extensive advertising. The exposition was a symbol of industrialization and an open platform for demonstrating the achievements of the industry. This type of presentation of goods and technologies began to be carried out on an ongoing basis.

The architects, wishing to look into the future and impress the imagination of visitors, offered various options for the appearance of the pavilions. One of the original structures was the 115 meter indoor car gallery.

Particular attention was paid to the design of the entrance portal. The organizers arranged a special competition. More than a hundred projects were proposed for consideration. Among them was a building in the form of a huge guillotine - a symbol of the French Revolution. The main requirements were as follows:

• originality of architectural appearance;
• economic efficiency;
• the possibility of dismantling after the end of the exposure.

The proposal of the G. Eiffel company, which designed a steel tower 300 m high, came in handy. There were no precedents for this structure in the world. However, engineering calculations were based on considerable experience in the construction of railway bridges, the complexity and responsibility of the structures of which were not inferior to the planned tower. Well, the futuristic design was out of competition.

These arguments swayed the members of the commission in favor of Eiffel's proposal, and he was granted a privilege for the invention. The company's engineers Maurice Kehlen and Emile Nougier took part in the creation of the project.

The Parisians did not share the optimism of the organizers of the exhibition. The general public, fearing that the Cyclopean structure would spoil the special architectural appearance of the capital, took up arms against both Eiffel himself and the organizing committee. Soon after the results of the competition were published in the Parisian newspaper Le Temps (Time), a protest was published by the most prominent artists, including Guy de Moppasan, E. Zola, A. Dumas (junior). Writers, artists, sculptors expressed their outrage at the construction of the useless and "terrible Eiffel Tower." The church was not left out.

The clerics, supporting the general hysteria, predicted the imminent fall of the tower and the subsequent end of the world. The inertia of the clergy, bordering on ignorance, is a very characteristic phenomenon in the creation of revolutionary projects. Eiffel's brainchild was branded with insulting labels: an iron monster, a skeleton of a bell tower, a sieve in the form of a candle.

But progress and common sense cannot be stopped. The organizing committee of the exhibition, having approved the construction, provided only less than a quarter of the necessary funds. Eiffel offered to finance the project from the funds of his own company, if he was given the exclusive right to receive profit during the entire period of operation. An agreement was reached and the author was given one and a half million francs in gold. The Miracle Tower was built. The investment paid off in just one year.

After 20 years of operation, according to the contract, the tower was to be dismantled. Only the intervention of a powerful lobbyist could save it from demolition. And such was found in the face of the military department. Back in 1898, a transmitter was installed on the upper platform and the first radio communication session was held. Eiffel suggested that the Ministry of Defense use the tower as an antenna for transmitting radio signals over long distances. Thus, he was not only a builder, but also a savior of a unique structure that has become the most striking symbol of France.

The "Iron Lady", which glorified its creator, overshadowed his talent as a bridge builder and brilliant engineer. Few people know that Gustav Eiffel designed the interior of the Statue of Liberty in 1885. The engineer himself said with humor that he should be jealous of the tower: the brainchild of a more famous creator.

The new building was not only the embodiment of a creative upsurge, but also the embodiment of a technological breakthrough in metallurgy. The material for the tower was a special kind of soft iron. It was produced by a puddling process, during which pig iron was converted into low-carbon iron. Strength characteristics allowed architects to implement the most daring ideas. Due to the lightness and strength, it became possible to build overall structures.

Construction began on January 26, 1887 on the Field of Mars with earthworks to make a foundation pit. To prevent groundwater from penetrating into the recess, a system of caisson devices worked out during the construction of bridges was used, which created excess pressure in the working space and prevented the penetration of moisture.

At the same time, mass production of metal frame parts was launched at the Eiffel factory in the Lavallois-Parre suburb of Paris. The total number of load-bearing and shaped elements reached 18 thousand, two and a half million rivets were made for their assembly. Designers, using the methods of shipbuilding technologies, scrupulously traced the geometry of each type of segments and the attachment points of riveted and bolted joints down to a micron. Technological holes were drilled at the factory. Already manufactured parts for other structures went into business. Each set of metal elements was supplied with detailed drawings and recommendations for installation.

In order to improve the aesthetic appearance of the building, the architect Stefan Sauvestre suggested lining the metal supports of the first tier with decorative stone, as well as building arched structures to decorate the main entrance to the exhibition. Had this decision been implemented, the tower would have been deprived of a coherent architectural exterior.

To facilitate installation at high altitude, the largest fragments of the structure weighed no more than three tons. When the height of the structure being built outgrew stationary cranes, Eiffel designed original lifting mechanisms that move along the rail guides of future elevators.

The high culture of production made it possible to achieve unprecedented rates of construction. With an enlarged assembly at the construction site, the need to adjust individual elements was reduced to almost zero - defects in work were excluded. At the same time, only about 300 engineers, craftsmen and assembly workers were involved in the construction. Construction work was completed in two years, two months and five days. Eiffel paid special attention to safety. During the construction period, accidents were avoided, only one person died. This tragic incident had nothing to do with the production process.

On March 31, 1889, Gustave Eiffel invited officials to climb the steps to the top of the tallest structure in the world.

The curvilinear shape of the tower has caused a lot of criticism from contemporary specialists to the author of the project. However, Eiffel's bold decision was dictated by the need to withstand significant wind loads and linear expansion of the metal in the hot season. Life has confirmed the engineer's correctness: in the entire history of observations during the strongest hurricane (wind speed reached almost 200 km / h), the top of the tower deviated by only 12 cm.

The design is an elongated pyramid formed by four inclined columns. The columns, each of which has a separate foundation, are connected at two points: at a height of 57.6 m and 115.7 m. The lower connection is arranged in the form of an arch. The first platform rests on the vault - a square with a side of 65 m. Here is the restaurant of the same name and a souvenir shop. On the second tier - the side of the site is 35 m - there is also a restaurant "Jules Verne" and an extensive observation deck. Initially, reservoirs for the hydraulic system of lift mechanisms were located here. The uppermost platform has dimensions of 16 by 16 m. A separate system of passenger elevators lifts visitors to each of the tiers. Two original elevators, installed back in 1899, have survived to this day. If someone decides to climb on foot to the highest platform, then he will have to overcome 1710 steps.

The main parameters of the tower are as follows:

• the total weight of the structure is 10,100 tons;
• the mass of the metal frame is 7,300 tons;
• the height of the structure was initially 300.6 m, after the construction of a new antenna in 2010 - 324 m;
• the height of the observation deck is 276 m;
• the longest side of the base is 125 m.

If all the used metal is melted and poured onto the base area, then the height of the array will be only six meters. This speaks of the exceptional ergonomics of the design. Every seven years, all metal surfaces are painted. These works take up to 60 tons of material. The tower was painted in different colors in different eras. For the past decades, the original color scheme, called "brown-eiffel", has been used.

The opening of the world exhibition was accompanied by a bright, at that time, illumination of the tower. 10 thousand acetylene lamps were used. The lighthouse mounted on top was illuminated with three colors of the French tricolor. At the beginning of the 20th century, an electric lighting system was installed on the building.

In the mid-1920s, famous car tycoon Henri Citroën turned the tower into the world's tallest advertisement. Using 125,000 light bulbs over the entire height, he staged a light show that alternately depicted ten images: shooting stars, the silhouette of the structure, the date of construction and the name of the concern of the same name. This event lasted nine years until 1934. In 1985, Pierre Bidault came up with the idea of ​​illuminating the structure of the tower from below with spotlights. More than three hundred custom-made lighting fixtures were installed at different levels. Sodium lamps at night painted the metal giant in a golden color.

Modern technologies in the lighting industry have made it possible to give the world-famous monument a new look. In 2003, a team of 30 industrial climbers installed a forty-kilometer-long electrical wiring system, including 20,000 light bulbs, in a few months. The cost of this renovation cost four and a half million euros.

In May 2006, in honor of the 20th anniversary of the European Union, the tower was illuminated in blue for the first time. And in 2008, when France presided over the Council of Europe, for six months the building was distinguished by its original illumination: a blue background with golden stars. It should be noted that the lighting system of the main symbol of France is an original design and is protected by copyright law.

How to get there

Ticket price

• Adult: 17 €
• Discounted: 14.5 €
• Child: 10 €

Eiffel Tower (Paris) - detailed description with photo, opening hours and ticket prices, location on the map.

Eiffel Tower (Paris)

The Eiffel Tower is the main attraction of Paris, a real symbol of the capital of France. This huge metal structure with a height of more than 320 meters (the exact height is 324 meters) was built in 2 years and 2 months in 1889. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, who built it. Eiffel himself called it simply "three hundred meter tower". Interestingly, the Eiffel Tower was built as a temporary structure for the World Exhibition held in Paris. But not only was it not dismantled, but it also turned into a real symbol of Paris and the most visited paid attraction in the world.

With the onset of darkness, the Eiffel Tower turns on beautiful light illumination.

Story

For the World Exhibition of 1889, timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, the city authorities wanted to build an architectural structure that would become the pride of France. For this purpose, a competition among engineering bureaus was established. There was an offer to participate in it and Eiffel. Gustave himself had no ideas. He rummaged through old sketches and dug up a design for a high-rise steel tower, made by his collaborator Maurice Queschelin. The project was finalized and sent to the competition.

Out of 107 different projects, 4 winners were selected. Among them, of course, was the Eiffel project. After making changes to the project aimed at increasing the architectural appeal, it was declared the winner. In January 1887, an agreement was signed between the Eiffel Bureau and the municipal government of Paris to build the tower. At the same time, Eiffel was provided not only with a cash payment, but with a lease of the tower for 25 years. The contract provided for the dismantling of the tower after 20 years, but it became so popular that it was decided to keep it.

1. More than 5 million people visit the Eiffel Tower every year. More than 250 million people have visited the tower since its inception. A colossal number!
2. The construction cost amounted to 7.5 million francs and paid off during the exhibition period.
3. More than 18 thousand metal parts and 2.5 million rivets were used to build the tower.
4. The weight of the structure is more than 10 thousand tons.
5. The creative people of Paris negatively perceived this building, believing that it does not fit into the architecture of the city. They repeatedly sent petitions to the mayor's office calling for the construction to be stopped or dismantled. So, for example, one of her famous opponents, Guy de Maupassant, often dined at a restaurant located in the tower. When asked why he eats here so often? He replied that this is the only place in Paris where it (the tower) is not visible.

Eiffel Tower opening hours

The opening hours of the Eiffel Tower are as follows:

• From 9.00 to 12.00 from June to September.
• From 9.00 to 23.00 in other months.

Ticket price

To the 2nd floor by elevator

• Adults - 11 euros.
• Youth from 12 to 24 years old - 8.5 euros
• Children under 12 years old - 4 euros

2nd floor stairs

• Adults - 7 euros.
• Youth from 12 to 24 years old - 5 euros
• Children under 12 years old - 3 euros

To the top in an elevator

• Adults - 17 euros.
• Youth from 12 to 24 years old - 14.5 euros
• Children under 12 years old - 8 euros

How to get there

• RER - line C, Champ de Mars - tour Eiffel
• Metro - line 6, Bir-hakeim, line 9, Trocadero.
• Bus - 82, 87, 42, 69, tour Eiffel or Champ de Mars