The Eiffel Tower is the undisputed symbol of Paris, France, and we even dare to say that in Europe. It is surely the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Paris. And this tower, designed and built in the “Roaring Twenties” won little by little this privileged place that until then had only disputed the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and the Louvre.

The Eiffel Tower was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889 to be held in commemoration of the centenary of the French Revolution. Gustave Eiffel and his company were the entrepreneurs of such a project that began in 1887 was completed in March 1889, just over two years later. The work generated no little controversy, especially among artists of the time, who thought the tower as an “iron monster” in the middle of the city of romance.If we talk about technical features, the tower is a huge metal structure weighs 10,000 tons and its height was originally 300 meters, is currently 324 meters, including radio and television antenna that was added much later. Employ some 200 workers who joined more than 18,000 pieces of iron with 2 ½ million bolts. The foundation measure 30 meters in depth, due to the proximity to the river and the nature of the subsoil.
Consisting of three levels, can be accessed through the first two steps, which together will encourage steps to raise 1665! Otherwise you can take the elevator, which normally have long queues …

At the first level, 57 feet high, running a post office, where you can send postcards with the special stamp “Paris Tour Eiffel,” the restaurant “Altitude 95″, a souvenir shop, the reception hall and conference “Gustave Eiffel”, the Cineiffel, exhibitions with photos of the tower, and of course the gallery from which you can take panoramic pictures of Paris.
The second level is 115 feet above the ground and from there part of the elevator that leads to the third level. There are a few souvenir shops, restaurant Jules Verne, and above all, the views of the city are spectacular.
At 276 meters, after climbing 160 meters in the elevator reached the third level, where the views are absolutely extraordinary. At this level there is a recreation of the workplace by Gustave Eiffel, with wax figures of Eiffel and his daughter Claire receiving the inventor Thomas Edison, and of Gustave Eiffel and his two engineers Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier.

When it authorized the construction of the tower, Gustave Eiffel had to undertake the project with its own funds and the city government would allow the exploitation of the tower during the term of 20 years, after which the tower would become part of the heritage Paris. The play was a successful first year, but these were no better or even equal to the first.
The fate of the tower after 20 years seemed to be none other than destruction. Eiffel was why he emphasized the scientific advantages of such a building could bring (to the construction of the Chrysler Building in New York in 1930 the tower was the tallest building in the world) and had installed a weather station top and, later, a telegraph antenna whose benefits were highly proven at military level. Thus saved Eiffel tower. From 1921 he began to broadcast radio and television time came.

Only since the ’60s becomes a tourist attraction with the influx of international audience. Of all the monuments of Paris, one can say that the Eiffel Tower is one of the few that remain far from immutable over time evolves and innovates, is to change the color of the paint, either with lighting effects.

When it was open to the public in May 1889 visited until the end of the year about 2 million people are currently 6 million tourists who visit annually. Since opening to the end of 2005 have recorded more than 220 million visitors!