The Eiffel Tower – one of the most iconic monuments in the world has been the symbol of Paris and France. Every year on March 31, which is designated as Eiffel Tower Day, visitors and residents of Paris celebrate the day with great pomp and grandeur.
In fact, the festival spans a week and 2019 marked the 130th anniversary of this majestic landmark where visitors were offered a bewildering array of fun activities, all aimed at familiarizing them with the pros and cons of this prodigious monument, recognized worldwide as an “engineering marvel”.
The Tower has been an object of dispute, desire and fascination. It was built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 with the primary intention of celebrating 100 years of the French Revolution. At this time towards the last phase of the 19th century, the Tower was the manifestation of France’s engineering prowess.
Through constant renovation and restoration, the tower would have lasted only 20 years otherwise. The Tower bears witness to many milestones in France’s quest for excellence in the scientific world – the first radio signals from the Tower in 1898, serving as a military radio station in 1903, and the first public radio transmission program in 1925 just to name a few.
An emblematic monument, the Tower is the backdrop for many international events every year – past events of the magnitude of the Pyrotechnic Show 2000events to celebrate the French presidency of the European Union to name but a few……
A symbol of France and its sparkling capital, Paris, the Tower welcomes nearly 7 million visitors each year, making it one of the most visited monuments in the world.
Once you have decided to visit the Eiffel Tower and ensure that you enjoy every moment of your historical visit, SETE (Eiffel Tower Operating Company) – the official body in charge of the maintenance and administration of the Eiffel Tower offers a real exploration of the Tower without hassle.
The Tower being a paying monument, the purchase of tickets is compulsory. For those who want to avoid the long queues, online e-ticketing facilities are available. SETE has come up with new “time-stamped e-tickets”, which save time. Tickets can be reserved up to two months in advance. High season is the period from July to August when visitor traffic is exceptionally high compared to other months.
Weather permitting, many visitors who visited the Tower during the day also make it a point to visit the Tower at night, when this majestic monument is all adorned with a blaze of lights. The Eiffel Tower is open until 11:45 p.m., and in summer 12:45 a.m.
Have tickets, will climb! WOW!
The tower has two main entry points – entry point 1 on the south and entry point 2 on the east. Each visitor must pass security checks at these points. Those who want to climb to the top should head to the southern tip, where tickets are available for the 2nd floor as well as the summit. Multilingual tour guides are available at prime locations that will offer you useful information.
If you’re into social media, you’d do well to log on to the Tower’s free WiFi service, which is a great way to share your precious moments with loved ones while exploring one of the world’s greatest monuments.
As you embark on one of life’s most cherished desires – an ascent to the top of the Eiffel Tower, keep in mind that you will need to climb 1,710 steps to be on top of this 984-foot tall tower. high.
The original spiral staircase that the architect of the Tower Gustave Eiffel had built was removed and a newer version was skillfully merged. However, of the remains of the old spiral staircase, a really small part, measuring 4.30 meters is carefully preserved on the first floor.
The first floor is literally an immersive experience for visitors – Pavillon Ferrie, an introduction to the many facets of the grandeur of the Eiffel Tower – touch screens, digital applications, old reproductions of miscellaneous facts from the tower, etc…Don’t miss the Immersion Spectacle which will offer you a significant overview of the Tower from its origins to its metamorphosis into one of the most amazing towers in the world.
The bistro on the first floor is all French and has its own wine cellar! The Parisian Bubble is perhaps one of the most talked about bistros in the world and indulging in the culinary specials of the bistro is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
The bistro on the first floor is all French and has its own wine cellar! The Parisian Bubble is perhaps one of the most talked about bistros in the world and indulging in the culinary specials of the bistro is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
While the 1st floor experience is awe-inspiring, the 2nd floor shines with French romance – an effort to portray to the world France’s obsession with celebrating life itself – imagination, emotions and all things sublime and transcendental.
Whether the exceptional Restaurant Jules Verne which offers enchanting views of the Champ-de-Mars and the Trocadéro or the souvenir shop La Verrière which serves as a melting point for visitors to the ground floor and the top, the tower never ceases to amaze you. Be sure to visit The Glass Canopy, home to perhaps the largest reproductions of the Eiffel Tower.
All’s well that ends well and the French know how to celebrate life!
So, can Champagne be far behind? At the top of the tower is the quintessence Champagne Bar and toast to your out-of-this-world experience is just what the doctor ordered for a sensational climax to your exploration.
The aura and romance that surrounds the Eiffel Tower is best summed up by Sakshi Vashist so – “You see, I’m not complaining about your stolen kisses in the dimness of the lamp. But they are not enough. I deserve to be embraced under the grandeur of the Eiffel on a full moon night”.
