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| Eiffel Tower - photo by Kathy Nye |
I visited the Eiffel Tower last night (1/25/13) and after sundown, every hour on the hour the lights on the tower flash off and on giving a brilliant light show.
Eiffel Tower
In 1889, when the Tour Eiffel was completed, it was the tallest building in the world at 300m. The Eiffel Tower was originally built as a temporary structure to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution. To the world's benefit the tower was never torn down and since, the Eiffel Tower has become an enduring symbol of the city of Paris. The tower was originally built for the 1889 Exposition. This steel construction defied all traditional rules in architecture. Today the tower is the main television transmitter for the city of Paris.
The tower design was selected by a competition in which Gustave Eiffel won. Eiffel was an engineer who had lots of experience constructing high level railway viaducts. In the public eye, the tower had many mixed opinions, celebrated and loathed in equal measure. Throughout its construction, the residents became convinced that it would collapse, and Eiffel had to reassure them many times quite often in person.
The author Guy de Maupassant left Paris permanently to avoid looking at its 'metallic carcass' but others who espoused more self-consciously modern views championed the tower: Seurat and Douanier Rousseau were among the first to paint it, in 1889 and 1890 respectively. On a clear day, it is possible to see Chartres Cathedral from the high level viewing platform.
Paris's most recognized landmark has three floors. The first is at 57m, the second at 115m, and the third at 276m. The top of the aerial is 320 m. above the ground. On a clear day, you can see from the top of the platform, the whole of Paris and the distant suburbs.
The 12,000 steel girders that make up the tower are held together by 2,500,000 rivets to produce it's smooth, curving profile. It's functional elegance heralded the dawn of Industrial Art, and has met with much sarcastic comment from more conservative observers ever since it was finished in 1889.
In 1986 the external night-time floodlighting was replaced by a system of illumination from within the tower's superstructure, so that it now looks at its magical best after dark. The tower casts off quite an amazing light show just after dark on most nights.
Visitor Hours
From January 1 to June 18: 9:30 am - 8:30 pm (11:00 pm via lift)
From June 19 to August 29: 9:00 am - midnight
From August 30 to December 31: 9:30 am - 8:30 pm (11:00 pm via lift)
Last entrance: 1 hour before closing.
Eiffel Tower Entrance Fees
Stairs: 4,50€ (reduced rate of 3,50€ for those under 24)
Lift prices:
Adults
Lift to 1st and 2nd platform: 8,10€
Lift to 3rd platform/top floor: 13,10€
Children (ages 12-24/4-11)
Lift to 1st and 2nd platform: 6,40€/4,00€
Lift to 3rd platform/top floor: 11,50€/9,00€
http://www.linkparis.com/eiffel-tower.htm
