Eiffel tower facts, height & weight
An object of discord, desire and fascination, the Eiffel Tower never fails to impress. Enriched by a history full of new developments, here you can discover all of its key information.
| Current height | 1083 feet |
|---|---|
| Original height without the antennas | 1024 feet |
| Total width | 410 feet (on the ground) |
| Width of a pillar | 82 feet (on the ground) |
| First floor | 187 feet, 14,485 square feet |
| Second floor | 377 feet, 4,692 square feet |
| Third floor | 906 feet, 820 square feet |
| Lifts | 5 lifts from the esplanade to second floor, 2 x 2 duolifts from second floor to the top |
| Weight of the metal frame | 7,300 tons |
| Total weight | 10,100 tons |
| Number of rivets used | 2,500,000 |
| Number of iron parts | 18,038 |
| Pillars | The 4 pillars form a 410 square feet sideways square |
1 889
Date of construction of the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, which was to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the French Revolution.
Two years, two months and five days
Its construction in 2 years, 2 months and 5 days was a veritable technical and architectural achievement. "Utopia achieved", a symbol of technological prowess, at the end of the 19th Century it was a demonstration of French engineering personified by Gustave Eiffel, and a defining moment of the industrial era. It was met immediately with tremendous success.
Only intended to last 20 years, it was saved by the scientific experiments that Eiffel encouraged, and in particular by the first radio transmissions, followed by telecommunications. For example, the radio signals from the Pantheon Tower in 1898; it served as a military radio post in 1903; it transmitted the first public radio programme in 1925, and then broadcast television up to TNT more recently.
The Tower at the centre of events
Since the 1980s, the monument has regularly been renovated, restored and adapted for an ever-growing public.
Over the decades, the Eiffel Tower has seen remarkable achievements, extraordinary light shows, and prestigious visitors. A mythical and audacious site, it has always inspired artists and challenges.
It is the stage for numerous events of international significance (light shows, the Tower’s centenary, the Year 2000 pyrotechnic show, repainting campaigns, sparkling lights, the blue Tower to mark France’s Presidency of the European Union or the multicoloured Tower for its 120th birthday, unusual fixtures, such as an ice rink, a garden etc.).
The magic of light
Like all towers, it allows us to see and to be seen, with a spectacular ascent, a unique panoramic view of Paris, and a glittering beacon in the skies of the Capital.
The Tower also represents the magic of light. Its lighting, its sparkling lights, and its beacon shine and inspire dreams every evening.
7 000 000
Visitors a year
As France’s symbol in the world, and the showcase of Paris, today it welcomes almost 7 million visitors a year (around 75% of whom are foreigners), making it the most visited monument that you have to pay for in the world.
A universal Tower of Babel, almost 300 million visitors regardless of age or origin have come from all over the planet to see it since its opening in 1889.
