By the Numbers
An engineering marvel in every detail
18,038
Iron Parts
Held together by 2.5 million rivets
300
Workers
Zero fatalities during construction
1,665
Steps to the Top
Or take the elevator in 2 minutes
60t
Paint Every 7 Years
"Eiffel Tower Brown," a bronze hue
5,300
Design Drawings
By 50 engineers and designers
1903
First Radio Signal
Saved the tower from demolition
20,000
Light Bulbs
Sparkling every hour after sunset
81%
International Visitors
From every corner of the globe
How She Compares
50m
Arc de Triomphe
93m
Statue of Liberty
96m
Big Ben
330m
Eiffel Tower
319m
Chrysler Building
Annual Visitors (Millions)
Three Levels
A journey from ground to sky
First Floor
57 metres
Glass floor lookdown, restaurant Le 58, historical exhibits. Seasonal ice rink since 2004.
Second Floor
115 metres
The Jules Verne restaurant (Michelin starred), panoramic views, and souvenir shops.
Summit
276 metres
Gustave Eiffel's private apartment, champagne bar, and the highest public observation deck in the EU.
Construction
Built in record time
January 1887
Foundation digging begins on the Champ de Mars
June 1887
The four pillars rise to the first floor platform level
August 1888
Second floor platform completed, tower visible across Paris
March 31, 1889
Eiffel climbs 1,710 steps to plant the French tricolor at the summit
May 6, 1889
Opens to the public for the World's Fair. 30,000 climb the stairs before lifts open.
"I ought to be jealous of the tower. She is more famous than I am."
Gustave Eiffel