| The Eiffel Tower in Paris has become an icon | | | | There are three levels in all and the stairs |
| for France and is known around the world for | | | | begin at the south towers, but both the first |
| its daring and unusual structure. | | | | and second levels are accessible by stairs |
| | | | and lifts. Yet the third level summit is |
| This Paris landmark was named after its | | | | only accessible by lift. On the first |
| engineer designer Gustave Eiffel and was | | | | platform, the stairs continue up from the |
| constructed between 1887 and 1889, and was | | | | east tower. |
| built as the entrance arch for the Exposition | | | | |
| Universelle, which was a World's Fair marking | | | | Taking the steps is not for the feint |
| the centennial celebration of the French | | | | hearted, as the actual count of stairs |
| Revolution, with the Eiffel Tower being | | | | includes 9 steps to the ticket booth at the |
| inaugurated on 31 March 1889, and opened on 6 | | | | base of the Eiffel Tower, 328 steps to the |
| May 1889. | | | | first level, 340 steps to the second level, |
| | | | and 18 steps to the lift platform on the |
| With 200,000,000 people having visited the | | | | second level. And when exiting the lift at |
| Eiffel Tower since its construction, it makes | | | | the third level, there are another 15 more |
| this monument the most visited paid monument | | | | steps to ascend to the upper observation |
| per year and being the tallest monument in | | | | platform. Whether you think this a good idea |
| the world until 1930 and still the tallest in | | | | or not, the actual step count is printed |
| Paris, the Eiffel Tower has seen some major | | | | periodically on the side of the stairs to |
| events over its time. | | | | give you an indication of your progress and |
| | | | there are a total of 710 steps!!! |
| But when the Eiffel Tower was built, it was | | | | |
| met with resistance, as the public felt it | | | | At least you can always have dinner at the |
| was an eyesore, even though the people of | | | | restaurant to catch your breath before going |
| Paris today would not wish to be without it, | | | | back down to the bottom, or if you are more |
| as it is widely considered to be a striking | | | | energetic then you could go ice skating, |
| piece of structural art! | | | | which has been held at the Eiffel Tower every |
| | | | winter since 2004! |
| People were also shocked at the daring shape, | | | | |
| questioning Gustave Eiffel wondering if he | | | | And although most people have the idea that |
| really was a good engineer, but being that he | | | | the Eiffel Tower can be seen from almost |
| and his engineers were renowned bridge | | | | anywhere in Paris, this is actually not the |
| builders, he came back with comments stating | | | | case and there are only a few of the taller |
| that it was based on mathematical | | | | buildings that can get a clear view of the |
| calculations utilising wind resistance. | | | | tower. |
| | | | |
| And including the 24m antenna, the Eiffel | | | | Even if people hadn't heard of the Eiffel |
| Tower is 324m high, weighs in at 7,300 tons | | | | Tower before, if they like James Bond movies, |
| and can sway 6 to 7cm in the wind and due to | | | | then they were sure to know of it after the |
| the thermal expansion of the metal on the | | | | 1985 movie A View to a Kill as James Bond |
| side facing the sun, depending upon the | | | | chases May Day played by actress Grace Jones |
| ambient temperature, the top of the tower may | | | | at the Eiffel Tower as she parachuted from |
| shift away from the sun by up to 18cm. | | | | the tower. The video of the movie's theme |
| | | | also included several scenes of the pop group |
| Due to the fact the Gustave Eiffel was only | | | | Duran Duran staged on the tower as well. |
| given a permit for the Eiffel Tower to stand | | | | |
| for 20 years, as it passed to the city, the | | | | On New Year's Eve of 2000 for the Millennium |
| Eiffel Tower was to be taken down in 20 | | | | celebrations, the Eiffel Tower played a major |
| years, but because it became valuable as a | | | | role in Paris, as it had fireworks that |
| communications resource, it was allowed to | | | | exploded from the whole length of the tower |
| remain in place even after the permit had | | | | in a spectacular display. |
| expired. | | | | |
| | | | So if you haven't ever had the opportunity to |
| And because the Eiffel Tower was originally | | | | visit the Eiffel Tower, then it is well worth |
| meant to be a temporary structure, it now has | | | | the effort, as the views over Paris as you |
| to be repainted every 7 years, just to stop | | | | are ascending is breath taking and a sight |
| this famous monument from rusting! | | | | you will not forget. |
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