CITY

Ten curiosities about the Eiffel Tower that (maybe) you didn't know

One of the world's most iconic landmarks, the Eiffel Tower is the famous iron tower of Paris and one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. 

The 324-metre high tower was built in 1889 for the Universal Exhibition in Paris. In short, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most important symbols of France and a landmark for tourists from all over the world. Its construction, history and characteristics make it a unique and spectacular monument. 

Browse the gallery to discover some interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower.

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Ten curiosities about the Eiffel Tower that (maybe) you didn't know
One of the world's most iconic landmarks, the Eiffel Tower is the famous iron tower of Paris and one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. The 324-metre high tower was built in 1889 for the Expo in Paris. In short, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most important symbols of France and a landmark for tourists from all over the world. Its construction, history and characteristics make it a unique and spectacular monument. Browse the gallery to discover some interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower.
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1. Origin of the name
The tower is named after the architect Gustave Eiffel who designed and built the tower for the Expo.
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2. Amazing story
Not everyone knows that the Eiffel Tower was supposed to be temporary, built for only twenty years and then dismantled. However, its demolition was stopped because it proved useful as a radio antenna.
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3. Restaurants on the tower
The Eiffel Tower houses two restaurants: '58 Tour Eiffel' and 'Jules Verne', both with breathtaking views of the city.
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4. The tower lighthouse
Legend has it that the Eiffel Tower housed the first lighthouse with a lighting system effective enough to illuminate the hinterland.
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5. Unusual items delivered to the tower
The Eiffel Tower has witnessed some curious phenomena over the years. There have been deliveries of unusual objects such as an elephant, a huge cheese wheel, a gigantic statue of Balzac and even a plane.
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6. Annual visitors
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world. In 2019, it attracted over 6.9 million visitors.
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7. The floor glass
The thirty sheets of glass on the floor of the first floor of the Eiffel Tower weigh a total of 1.2 tonnes, and offer an extremely spectacular view of the city.
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8. The tower as a place of executions
Over the years, the Eiffel Tower has also been the scene of executions, as well as being used as a radio station. From 1900 to 1937, 455 criminals were executed at its foot.
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9. The access staircase
In 1890, the Prince of Wales climbed the Eiffel Tower using the staircase instead of the lift, taking a full 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach the top.
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10. The Eiffel tower in the world of cinema
The Eiffel Tower has been the location for numerous film shoots, the most famous of which include François Truffaut's "The American Night," "007 A Waterfall of Diamonds," and "The Cloudmaker."
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