Interesting Facts 300 steel workers, and 2 years (1887-1889) to construct it. 15,000 iron pieces (excluding rivets). 2.5 million rivets. 40 tons of paint. 1671 steps to the top. Maximum sway at top caused by wind: 12 cm (4.75 inches). Maximum sway at top caused by metal dilation: 18 cm (7 inches). Total height in 1889: 300.51 meters (985 feet, 11 inches). Total height with television antenna: 320.755 meters (1052 feet, 4 inches). Height varies up to 15 cm depending on temperature. Size of base area: 10,281.96 square meters (2.54 acres). Weight of foundations: 277,602 kg (306 tons). Weight of iron: 7.34 million kg (8092.2 tons). Weight of elevator systems: 946,000 kg (1042.8 tons). Total weight: 8.56 million kg (9441 tons). Pressure on foundation: 4.1 to 4.5 kg per square centimeter, depending on pier (58.26 to 64 lbs. per square inch). Dates of construction: January 26, 1887 to March 31, 1889. Cost of construction: 7.8 million francs ($1.5 million). Total number of visitors during 1889 Exposition: 1,968,287 Total receipts during 1889 Exposition: 5,919,884 francs ($1.14 million).

Facilities and Views

In the basements of the eastern and western pillars, one can visit the gargantuan 1899 machinery which powers the elevators, an astonishing spectacle reminiscent of a Jules Verne novel. From the Tower's three platforms -- especially the topmost -- the view of Paris is superb. It is generally agreed that one hour before sunset, the panorama is at its best; don't forget to bring your camera, and experiment with the f-stop settings to capture a dazzling sunset on the Seine. If you can't be there in person, then check out a Live Aerial View of Paris with TF1's webcam online: from the top of the Eiffel Tower, you can see Paris in real time, 24 hours a day, whatever the weather conditions in the French capital. To get the most out of this view of Paris, we suggest you surf their web site between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM GMT (1:00 AM and 3:00 PM Eastern Time in the U.S.), when the City of Light is at its best.

First level: 57.63 meters (189 feet). Observatory from which to study the movements of the Eiffel Tower's summit. Kiosk presentation about the mythic painting of the Eiffel Tower. Space CINEIFFEL: offers an exceptional panorama of sights from the Tower. Souvenir shops (yes, every tourist MUST have a miniature replica). Restaurant "Altitude 95" (phone 01-45-55-20-04). Post office, with special stamps "Paris Eiffel Tower ". Panoramic gallery displaying the Monuments of Paris.

Second level: 115.73 meters (379 feet, 8 inches). Panorama of Paris. Telescopes, shops. Animated displays on the operation of the elevators. Jules Verne Restaurant (extremely expensive, reservations absolutely necessary; phone 01-45-55-61-44).

Third level: 276.13 meters (905 feet, 11 inches). Exceptional panoramic views, day or night, of Paris and its surroundings. Recently restored office of Gustave Eiffel, showing him welcoming Thomas Edison. Panoramic guide displays to aid orientation. Dioramas presenting the history of this platform.

Probably the best approach to the tower is to take the Métro to the Trocadéro station and walk from the Palais de Chaillot to the Seine. Besides fabulous views, especially when the Trocadéro fountains are in full force, you get a free show from the dancers and acrobats who perform around the Palais de Chaillot. The vast green esplanade beneath the tower is the Parc du Champs-de-Mars, which extends all the way to the 18th-century Ecole Militaire (Military Academy), at its southeast end. This formal lawn was once a parade ground for French troops.

The Eiffel Tower at night is one of the great sights of Paris and shouldn't be missed. The gold lighting highlights the delicacy of the steelwork in a way that is missed in daylight. Skip the tour buses and pickpockets on Trocadéro and head up to the Ecole Militaire for a more tranquil view.