The most grandiose, famous, outrageous building in Paris, of course, is the Eiffel Tower. From its appearance in 1889 as an arch for the Universal Exhibition dedicated to the storming of the Bastille, and to this day, it has been in the spotlight. She was also recognized as an important link in the French economy and a valuable asset to Europe.

The history of the tower!

Although the engineer Gustave Eiffel suggested dismantling the tower after the twenty-year period of its construction, as we can see, it continues to rise majestically on the Champ de Mars to this day.

Book a table at a restaurant on the Eiffel Tower

The most interesting thing is that the idea of ​​​​the design does not belong to Eiffel, but to Maurice Koechlen, his colleague in the engineering bureau. It was in the old drawings of Maurice that the leading engineer found the sketch of the tower that interested him.

Together with other employees, Eiffel finalizes the idea, draws up a joint patent, sends drawings to the competition, and wins. Subsequently, he redeems the rights of possession, and becomes their sole owner.

The surprising fact is that while working on the construction scheme, the research of Hermann von Mayer, a Swiss professor of paleontology, was taken as the basis. 19th century. He studied the structure of the femur, namely its head in the place of bending and connection with the joint at an angle.

He concluded that thanks to the many small processes of strict geometric shape with which it is covered, the weight of the body is distributed evenly, preventing fractures.

It was these studies of Mayer that inspired the designers 20 years later. famous tower to give it such a stable form. Even with strong wind the top deviates only 12 cm, and if it is hot in the sun - 18 cm due to the expansion of the metal.

Work on the image

The original look of the steel lady was purely exemplary technical progress of his time, and looked too conservative. To win the competition, it was necessary to ennoble the structure with decorative elements, to make it more refined.

Gustave suggested decorating the tower piers with stone, making the arches a link between the piers and the ground floor, and turning them into the main entrance to the exhibition. The levels also had to be transformed and become functional thanks to the glazed halls, and the top - to acquire a rounded shape along with other embellishments.

When the scheme acquired all these innovations, the jury approved the Eiffel plan, and he received green light for construction. Feeling a surge of enthusiasm after the first victory, he exclaimed that France would now be the only owner in the world of a 300-meter flagpole.

To be or not to be - Bohemian opinion

The enthusiasm, however, was not shared by the creative elite, considering the future building to be insulting to the eye. Letters repeatedly came to the city hall demanding that such a monstrous structure not be allowed to be erected, arguing that the Eiffel Tower in Paris would be a huge mistake, a repulsive stain hanging over the city, and not being combined with other architecture.

About three hundred painters, architects, musicians and writers made a protest, sending it to the city authorities, where they urged the commission to change their minds in colorful terms: “For 20 years we will be forced to look at the disgusting shadow of the hated column of iron and screws, stretching over the city like blot".

The petition was signed by Charles Gounod, Dumas son, and the famous novelist Guy de Maupassant. However, subsequently Maupassant repeatedly visited the restaurant, which is now called Jules Verne. When the novelist was asked why he came there, if he dislikes the Eiffel Tower so much, he said that there was no more place in Paris where this damn thing could not be seen.

However, not everyone was so ardent her opponents. She made a completely different impression on Thomas Edison, and in the guest book he wrote a welcoming word to its creator.

Particulars of construction: figures and facts

It all started in 1887 on January 28, and the last day to complete the construction was December 31, 1889. For such a colossal project, it was a record short time, given that the height of the Eiffel Tower was 300 meters.

Building a tower!

There was no technology capable of lifting parts weighing up to 3 tons to this height, and therefore Eiffel had to additionally invent special mobile cranes. Also, in order to speed up the work, most of the elements were made in advance, and holes were drilled in them, into which connecting rivets were installed.

Eiffel demonstrated unparalleled precision in drafting. There were 1700 general and 3629 detailed ones, and their accuracy was 0.1 mm (3D printers print with such clarity today). It is comparable to a piece of jewelry or magic worthy of admiration, especially in this age of high technology.

Inner world

Once in Paris, it is difficult to avoid the temptation to look at the city of love from the height of the most famous Parisian. On the initial two platforms, which are located on the tops of 57.63 and 115.73 m; you can visit restaurants, have a glass of sparkling wine or order lunch.

On the third level, located at 276.13 m, visitors will find a bar, an astronomical and meteorological observatory. The tower is crowned with a lighthouse with a dome, the light of which reaches 10 km.

Rise to the 3rd level

There are 1792 steps to the top, but you are unlikely to want to make such a serious ascent, especially since back in 1899 two Fives-Lill elevators were built for this, and passengers, having risen to a mark of 175 m, moved to another cabin .

Elevator to the 2nd floor

The first machines ran on hydraulic pumps, but since their use was impossible in winter, Otis brand electric motors replaced them in 1983, and the hydraulics are shown as an exhibit to tourists.

Gustave Eiffel's apartment

At the very top there is another room - an apartment that was built specifically for the Eiffel. Although the area is quite spacious, it is furnished simply but tastefully. human XIX centuries. It has separate rooms, furniture, carpets, and even a piano - compulsory subject the elites of that time.

When the apartment became known in the city, there were people who wanted to buy it or at least spend the night there, offering solid sums, but Eiffel always refused such offers.

While in Paris, the engineer often arranged meetings in his favorite retreat with the rich and famous people. Edison also visited it, and for ten hours a couple of inventors under cognac and cigars found many fascinating topics for discussion, including the phonograph, a fresh invention of the famous American.

In captivity, but with a proudly raised head

Eiffel Tower, 1940 - the lift mechanism suddenly fails. This trouble happened just before the arrival of Adolf Hitler. Since the war was on, there was nowhere to get new parts for it, and the Fuhrer could only trample at the feet of the obstinate Parisian. On this occasion, the poets did not miss the opportunity to say: "Hitler conquered France, but he could not conquer the Eiffel Tower."

Hitler planned to transmit radio signals from the lighthouse to his military units and broadcast agitation in Paris, but he was especially excited by the thought that the flag fluttering on the spire of the top would be perfectly visible in all corners of the city.

At the end of the summer of 1944, Hitler, annoyed that he could not climb to the top, gives the order to Colonel General Dietrich von Choltitz to destroy the unsubdued pride along with the rest of the sights of Paris.

However, the order was never carried out, and when the invaders left the city, the elevators that had stopped for several years started working again after a couple of hours, and the news was transmitted by radio from the tower.

The height of the Eiffel Tower!

For 40 years, the Eiffel Tower had no competitors in terms of height in the whole world, and only in 1930 lost the palm to the Chrysler Building in New York. Today, its height reaches 324 m due to the antenna installed in 2010.

Height

In reality and in the photo, the tower looks like a slender, sophisticated, charming beauty. Like a true Frenchwoman, she likes to radically change her image from time to time, and has already managed to try on several outfits. She was dyed in different colors, which ranged from yellow to reddish brown.

Now, specially for her, they have developed and patented a unique tone “brown-eiffel”, which is closest to the bronze shade. Every 7 years it is repainted to protect the metal from corrosion, and old parts are replaced with new ones made of a lighter but stronger alloy.

night beauty

The iron lady also loves to shine, and at the time of her own premiere in 1889, she sparkled with ten thousand gas lamps, a pair of searchlights and a lighthouse, the rays of which had the color of three shades national flag. After just a year, she sparkled electric lights, and in 1925 it became the most grandiose advertising platform for Andre Citroen.

The advertisement was called: “Tower on fire”, and thanks to 125 new light bulbs, the silhouette first lit up on it, then it was replaced star Rain, which smoothly turned into the flight of comets and the symbols of the zodiac, then came the year of birth of the tower, the current year, and at the end the name Citroen appeared. Advertising worked until 1934.

The Parisian fashionista received her golden dress on the last day of 1985, and in 2003 silvery lights were added to this noble brilliance. This required €4.6 million, 20,000 light bulbs, 40 km of wires, 30 people and several months of work. Another memorable outfit the tower wore from the beginning of July to the end of December 2008, which looked like the flag of Europe - a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background.

The brainchild of Gustave Eiffel remains a wonderful wonder of the world today. A copy of the Eiffel Tower stands in many cities: in Copenhagen, Las Vegas, Varna, in Chinese city Guangzhou, and Aktau in Kazakhstan.

Exact copy in Las Vegas

In the first 12 months of its existence, it fully paid off the costs of construction thanks to the visitors, and remains the most popular, visited attraction. Every year, millions of people come to visit her, and by 2002 this number exceeded 200 million.

observation deck

City of dreams and champagne bubbles

In order to spend as much time in the company of the Eiffel Tower as possible, tickets for the tour and the restaurant can be booked in advance. Several buffets, a bar and a couple of cozy restaurants will allow you to enjoy delicious food, drinks and views of Paris.

On the ground floor, you can visit the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant, eat a sandwich, fries, croissant, drink juice or coffee, paying only 18 € for lunch. In the evening, there are several main dishes and desserts to choose from, but the price rises to 82 € per person.
At the same level, there are regular buffets, where a glass of juice and a slice of pizza will not exceed 7-8 €.

Restaurant "Jules Verne" (Le Jules Verne)

But, if being in the very romantic place on earth, if you don't intend to skimp on pleasure, then visit the luxurious restaurant Le Jules Verne on the second level. Lunch here will cost at least 85 € per person, and dinner with lobsters - at least 200 €.

View from the tower at night

Night Paris from the observation deck

Eiffel Tower on the map

However, you can enjoy it without visiting such expensive establishments. Climbing up to the third level, in the Champagne Bar, grab a glass of champagne, take a bird's eye view of Paris, and feel the exclusivity of this moment.

Video

The exact address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris

Working hours: From 9:30 to 23:00, in summer from 9:00 to 00:00

Tickets

Entrance to the lift (up to the 2nd floor): adults - 11 €, 12-14 years old - 8.5 €, children and disabled people - 4 €.

To the top: adults - 17 €, 12-14 years old - 14.5 €, children and disabled people - 8 €.

Stairs to 2nd floor: adults - 7 €, 12-14 years old - 5 €, children and disabled people - 3 €.

A photo

Eiffel Tower Photo Gallery!

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Holidays in November

Eiffel tower at night photo

eiffel tower photo

The Eiffel Tower is the symbol of France. To build this beauty, I had to win a lot of disputes, because when creating a plan for such a structure, there was a large number of people who were dissatisfied with the construction and considered the idea a failure.

Location:

Located on a former military parade ground. Now the field is divided into alleys, which are decorated in uniform style: fountains, flower beds, walking paths.

Construction project approval:

1889 An exhibition was held in France, at which technical innovations were to be demonstrated. The exhibition was dedicated to the centenary of the storming of the Bastille. Letters were sent to all French architects saying that a competition was being announced for the best structure suitable for the exhibition. The authorities reported that this building should be an arch. The letter was received and Gustave Eiffel, but since he did not have a finished drawing, he began to look for old works. Found a drawing that was created by Eiffel's employee Maurice Queschelin. With the help of Emile Nouguier, the project was finalized and submitted to the competition. During the competition, Eiffel, together with Nougier, received a patent for the Eiffel Tower, after which he bought the patent from Queshlen and Nougier, thereby becoming the sole architect.

The competition was coming to an end and there were only 4 works left, one of which was the work of Eiffel. The commission sided with him.

Eiffel Tower

Construction.

The construction of the Eiffel Tower began on January 28, 1887. The creation of this structure took two years, two months and five days. For that time it was short time, and all because the plan had no inaccuracies, everything was thought out. The weight and length of each beam were thought out in advance. The tower was assembled from previously manufactured parts, like a designer. Holes for screws and rivets were drilled before being brought to the construction site. In total, about two million rivets were used during construction.

Eiffel Tower history of the legendary symbol of Paris

One of the most difficult during the construction was the construction of platforms on each floor. Metal cylinders filled with sand supported the weight of 4 pillars. During the removal of sand from the cylinders, the platform could take the desired position.

Expert opinion

Knyazeva Victoria

Guide to Paris and France

Ask an expert

8 million francs were allocated for the construction of the Eiffel Tower. This amount was earned during the six-month exhibition.

Main characteristics

The height of the Eiffel Tower is 300 m, and after the appearance of an antenna on it, 324 meters. Compared to the Statue of Liberty, it had much more large sizes. Weight reached 10 thousand tons

Expert opinion

Knyazeva Victoria

Guide to Paris and France

Ask an expert

After the tower is painted, its weight becomes 60 tons more.

The fate of the symbol of France.

An agreement was concluded with Eiffel according to which the tower should be demolished 20 years after construction.

Why wasn't the Eiffel Tower demolished?

• popularity
• had no analogues and competitors in terms of size and appearance
• with the advent of radio strategic importance(there was a radio studio and an antenna was installed on the tower, which transmitted the radio signal throughout France)

There were also opponents of the Eiffel Tower: artists and writers.

These people believed that the tower was like a chimney that spoiled the individual look of Paris.

Design

Has the shape of a pyramid. Consists of three sites. The first two are restaurants, and the third is a laboratory for the study of meteorology. The pyramidal structure most actively protects the tower from strong wind, because at a height of 300 meters the wind moves at high speed.

Eiffel Tower (Paris) - detailed description with photo, opening hours and ticket prices, location on the map.

Eiffel Tower (Paris)

The Eiffel Tower is the main attraction of Paris, a real symbol of the capital of France. This huge metal structure with a height of more than 320 meters (the exact height is 324 meters) was built in 2 years and 2 months in 1889. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, who built it. Eiffel himself called it simply "three hundred meter tower". Interestingly, the Eiffel Tower was built as a temporary structure for the World Exhibition held in Paris. But not only was it not dismantled, but it also turned into a real symbol of Paris and the most visited paid attraction in the world.

With the onset of darkness, the Eiffel Tower turns on beautiful light illumination.

Story

For the World Exhibition of 1889, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Great French Revolution, the city authorities wanted to build architectural structure which would be the pride of France. For this purpose, a competition among engineering bureaus was established. There was an offer to participate in it and Eiffel. Gustave himself had no ideas. He rummaged through old sketches and dug up a design for a high-rise steel tower, made by his collaborator Maurice Queschelin. The project was finalized and sent to the competition.

Out of 107 different projects, 4 winners were selected. Among them, of course, was the Eiffel project. After making changes to the project aimed at increasing the architectural appeal, it was declared the winner. In January 1887, an agreement was signed between the Eiffel Bureau and the municipal government of Paris to build the tower. At the same time, Eiffel was given not only cash payment, but the lease of the tower for 25 years. The contract provided for the dismantling of the tower after 20 years, but it became so popular that it was decided to keep it.

1. More than 5 million people visit the Eiffel Tower every year. More than 250 million people have visited the tower since its inception. A colossal number!
2. The cost of construction amounted to 7.5 million francs and paid off during the exhibition period.
3. More than 18 thousand metal parts and 2.5 million rivets were used to build the tower.
4. The weight of the structure is more than 10 thousand tons.
5. Creative people Parisians negatively perceived this building, believing that it does not fit into the architecture of the city. They repeatedly sent petitions to the mayor's office calling for the construction to be stopped or dismantled. So, for example, one of her famous opponents, Guy de Maupassant, often dined at a restaurant located in the tower. When asked why he eats here so often? He replied that it the only place in Paris, where it (the tower) is not visible.

Eiffel Tower opening hours

The opening hours of the Eiffel Tower are as follows:

• From 9.00 to 12.00 from June to September.
• From 9.00 to 23.00 in other months.

Ticket price

To the 2nd floor by elevator

• Adults - 11 euros.
• Youth from 12 to 24 years old - 8.5 euros
• Children under 12 years old - 4 euros

2nd floor stairs

• Adults - 7 euros.
• Youth from 12 to 24 years old - 5 euros
• Children under 12 years old - 3 euros

To the top in an elevator

• Adults - 17 euros.
• Youth from 12 to 24 years old - 14.5 euros
• Children under 12 years old - 8 euros

How to get there

• RER - line C, Champ de Mars - tour Eiffel
• Metro - line 6, Bir-hakeim, line 9, Trocadero.
• Bus - 82, 87, 42, 69, tour Eiffel or Champ de Mars

Modern Paris is hard to imagine without the Eiffel Tower, one of the most famous symbols of Paris and France. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, the 300 meter tower was at that time the tallest building in the world (1889). Since its completion, it has attracted more than 200 million visitors, and today is one of the most visited attractions in the world. The Eiffel Tower continues to be the most recognizable building in the world, the most photographed landmark in France.

Built for the 1889 World's Fair, the tower represented a revolution in the world of architecture. She became not only the tallest building in the world - this title remained with her until the completion of construction Empire State Wasding in New York in 1929 - but also marked a radical departure from the standard low, brick buildings of Paris.

Like the London Eye Ferris wheel, the Eiffel Tower was built for a short period. But the unexpected popularity among Parisians and guests of the capital has made its own adjustments and today it is one of the most popular attractions in France, receiving more than 6 million visitors a year.

Technical prerequisites for the construction of the Eiffel Tower

The end of the 19th century was marked by many inventions that radically changed human life: from phone to racing cars. Gustav Eiffel's "Great Iron Lady" was the epitome of the creative upsurge of that period, sometimes called the "spring of technology", and symbolized the beginning of large-scale changes in the life of mankind, which continue to this day.

In the UK, cast iron structures were first used in construction in 1779, in France in 1803. Around 1845, durable ductile iron marked a future change in the concept of building. The use of metal in architecture became one of the most original forms of creative expression in the 19th century. Due to its lightness and strength, it allowed the rapid and economical construction of tall structures.

History of the Eiffel Tower

The talented engineer Gustave Eiffel was born on December 15, 1832 in Dijon, France. After graduating from the prestigious Ecole Centrale College of Engineering in Paris, he carried out a number of construction projects that brought him fame as a talented engineer, in particular the highest railway bridge in the world at that time, Viaduct Garabit and the inner frame of the Statue of Liberty in New York. The construction of the Eiffel Tower in 1889 was the crowning achievement of his career.

On May 2, 1886, the French government announced a competition for best project construction of a tower 300 meters high. The projects of the participants of the competition must meet two main requirements:

Self-sufficiency;

Possibility of dismantling at the end of the World Exhibition.

Oddly enough, a similar project for the construction of the tower was made by the two chief engineers of the Eiffel company back in June 1884, long before the announcement of the competition by the French government. It had the form of a high pyramidal column with four pillars in the lower part, as the top of the column was raised, they were connected together. The tower project was a bold transfer of the basic principles of bridge construction to a height of 300 meters, equivalent to the symbolic figure of 1000 feet.

May 1, 1886 began consideration of architectural and engineering projects that determine the architectural appearance of the future World Exhibition. 107 applicants take part in the competition. Preference was given to the project of Gustav Eiffel.

The Executive Committee for the Exhibition provided only about a quarter of the necessary funds for the construction. Gustav made a deal that made him a very rich man: he agreed to finance the construction of the tower from his own funds, but insisted on sole control and profit for twenty years. Agreement has been reached. The surprise for everyone was that all the costs of its construction paid off during the first year of operation.

Construction of the Eiffel Tower

All components of the tower were manufactured at the Eiffel factory in Levallois-Perret near Paris. Each of the 18,000 parts was calculated and drawn to the nearest tenth of a millimeter. From 150 to 300 workers, led by a team of designers, carried out the installation of this gigantic structure.

All metal parts of the tower were fastened together with rivets, the most advanced construction method at the time. First, structural fragments were assembled at the factory using bolts, and then replaced at the installation site with preheated rivets. Groups of 4 people mounted the structure: one heated it up, the other held it in place, the third formed the hat, the fourth hammered it with a hammer. After shrinking when cooled, the rivets fit snugly to the structure, ensuring its strength.

Installation work lasted two years and two months - from January 28, 1887 to March 31, 1889. High quality drawings contributed to the record construction time.

Protests against the construction of the Eiffel Tower

As is the case with many major architectural projects that are now part of cultural heritage France, the tower met with active rejection of the artistic and literary elite of Paris, who believed that it disfigured the landscape of the city, and demanded its dismantling. Many of the architectural symbols of Paris that were being built at first caused a storm of protests, criticism, and condemnation. Protests preceded the construction of such prominent structures as national center art and culture named after Georges Pompidou and the Pyramid of the Louvre Museum, but over time, the Parisians quickly got used to and changed their attitude.

The article "Protest against the construction of the Monsieur Eiffel tower" published in the Le Temps newspaper, addressed to the appointed director of the organization of the World Exhibition, Monsieur Alphand, was indicative. The article was signed by a number of big names in the world of literature and art: Maupassant, Emile Zola, Charles Garnier, Alexandre Dumas Jr. The letter, in part, stated: "We, writers, artists, sculptors, architects and lovers of the beauty of Paris, sincerely express our indignation in the name of the defense of French style, architecture and history, against the inappropriate and terrible Eiffel Tower."

Other critics of the project went even further, publishing articles with offensive language: "the highest lamppost in the world", "iron monster", "the skeleton of the bell tower", "the metal support of the gymnastic apparatus, unfinished, tangled and deformed", "tall and thin pyramid iron staircases, that gigantic, ungainly skeleton on a foundation, apparently built to support a huge monument to the Cyclops, "an unfinished factory chimney, a bell-tower grill, a candle-shaped sieve."

But time put everything in its place, and the Eiffel Tower was no exception. Already at the stage of completion of construction, critical arguments disappeared on their own in the presence of an already built masterpiece. During the World Exhibition of 1889, the tower was visited by 2 million people.

Scientific use of the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel's career as an entrepreneur ended with the failure of the Panama Canal project, where he worked as an engineer and supplied machines manufactured at his own machine-building plant Levallois-Perret near Paris. Gustav was accused of fraud related to the construction of the Panama Canal, the court sentenced him to 2 years in prison and a fine of 20,000 francs. The Court of Cassation, however, canceled the verdict due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Since then, Eiffel has devoted all his time to the work of the tower and various scientific experiments. After the first successful radio transmissions in 1898, Eiffel made a proposal to the French military leadership to use the tower as a radio antenna to transmit signals over long distances. Indeed, it was thanks to these experiments that the Eiffel Tower continued to exist, since it was designed to stand for only 20 years, until 1909, and then they were going to dismantle it! Even before 1909, they tried to dismantle it several times. Saved from dismantling by Eiffel himself, who convinced military leadership in expediency to use it for transmission of radio signals. It is to the Eiffel that the world owes the preservation of one of the most beautiful towers and engineering marvels in the history of mankind. With the recognition of scientific practicality, it won the right to be preserved as a monument. Today, the Eiffel Tower has several dozen antennas, including a television antenna 324 meters high.

Popularity of the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel could not have imagined that the implementation of his project would become a world famous symbol Paris, reproduced in various parts of the world. As one of the most iconic figures in the world, the Eiffel Tower has been the inspiration for many similar structures across the planet. A copy of the tower was built in more than 30 cities around the world, including Las Vegas, Tokyo, and Berlin. It is inextricably linked to what we today call the "Seventh Art": cinema. Eiffel wanted to use the image of the tower for his commercial interests, but faced with general opposition, he waived his rights and allowed the symbol to enter the public domain.

In 2003, the "Iron Lady" was visited by 200 million visitors over the 114 years of its existence. Members royal families, movie stars, tourists, world celebrities, travelers - these "citizens of the Eiffel Tower" all together became part of the history of one of the most famous sights of the French capital. On a par with Egyptian pyramids, leaning tower of pisa, the Acropolis, the Colosseum and the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower arouses the curiosity and admiration of millions. Since 1998, more than 6 million people have visited this architectural monument annually! This is the most recognized architectural structure in the world.

The history of the tower is inextricably linked with many historical events in France. So, during the Second World War, she was an “ally” French resistance. After the occupation of Paris in 1940, the French disabled all the elevators, and as a result, Hitler was never able to climb the tower during his “triumphant visit” to Paris, limiting himself to photographing against its background. Remembering this episode, in France they say "The Tower defeated Hitler." By the way, the Germans were never able to properly fix their flag on its top. Again, due to the inability to climb to the very top of the structure. Broken elevators, which the German occupiers could not repair for several years, in a strange way started working literally the next day after the liberation of Paris.

Eiffel tower illumination

The dimensions and shape of the Eiffel Tower have been used to create complex and original lighting innovations. It served as a Parisian lighthouse, advertising signs, lighting devices were installed on it, it was turned into Christmas tree and fireworks theatre. Its artificial illumination has been constantly developed and improved over the years, using the most modern achievements in the field of lighting: from gas to electricity, from incandescent lamps to neon and sodium lamps.

The Eiffel Tower was lit up for the first time on its opening day in 1889. Back then, the lighting consisted of 10,000 gas lanterns, two spotlights and a lighthouse mounted on top, the light of which symbolized the colors of the national flag of France: blue, white and red. In 1900, on the designs of the "Iron Lady" appeared electric lamps. In 1925, André Citroën placed an advertisement on the tower, which he called "The Eiffel Tower on fire." 125,000 electric bulbs alternately depicted the silhouette of the tower, the star shower, the flight of comets, the signs of the Zodiac, the year the tower was built, the current year, and, finally, the name Citroen. This promotion continued until 1934, and the tower became the most high place in the world for advertising.

The new lighting system was officially opened on December 31, 1985. Created by Per Bidault, lighting designer, it consisted of 336 spotlights equipped with sodium lamps that illuminated the tower in a yellowish color. Upward beams of light illuminated its frame from within. This system replaced the previous one, installed back in 1958, and met with universal recognition in the world. A lot others big cities began to use a similar system to illuminate their monuments at night. In the summer of 2003, the tower was “dressed” in new lighting robes. In a few months, a team of thirty-man steeplejacks entangled the tower structures with 40 kilometers of wires and installed 20,000 light bulbs, made to special order from one of the French companies. The new lighting, which cost 4.6 million euros, was reminiscent of the lighting on New Year's Eve 2000.

On May 9, 2006, in honor of the 20th anniversary of Europe Day, the Eiffel Tower was illuminated in blue for the first time for a short period. And from July 1 to December 31, 2008, during the presidency of the French President in the Council of the European Union, it radically changed its traditional lighting for a long time.

Practical Information

Visitors can use the stairs or lifts to climb the Eiffel Tower.

The stairs are open to everyone and lead only to the second floor landing (115 m).

Three elevators are installed on the tower, but all together they never work due to the need for daily Maintenance and security issues.

To reach the summit (276 m), visitors must take another lift from the second floor. From above, a wonderful panorama of Paris opens up. During the highest influx of tourists (May-September), you have to wait in line for a long time to climb up.

The Eiffel Tower shop offers a large selection of souvenirs, the main theme is Paris, “ The Iron Lady”, key chains, postcards, medals, stationery, clothes, dishes. Most of these items can only be purchased here.

The Eiffel Tower has two restaurants on the second floor with a panoramic view of the city, and a bar at the very top.
In winter, a small skating rink is opened on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower.

The tower is open daily all year round seven days a week:

At Easter and during spring break the tower remains open until midnight.

Access to the top of the tower may be temporarily closed due to inclement weather. weather conditions or a large influx of visitors.

Construction eiffel tower, which later became a symbol of Paris, was completed in 1889, it was originally conceived as a temporary structure that served as the entrance arch to the Paris World Exhibition of 1889.

The exhibition was held in Paris and was dedicated to the centenary of the French Revolution. Parisian City Administration turned to famous French engineers with a proposal to take part in an architectural competition. At such a competition, it was necessary to find a building that visibly demonstrates the engineering and technological achievements of the country.

Sasha Mitrahovich 19.01.2016 13:02

1886 Three years later, the World Industrial Exhibition EXPO will begin its work in Paris. The exhibition organizers announced a competition for a temporary architectural structure that would serve as an entrance to the exhibition and personify the technical revolution of its time, the beginning of grandiose transformations in the life of mankind. The proposed building was supposed to generate income and be easily dismantled.

On May 1, 1886, a competition of architectural and engineering projects for the future World Exhibition was opened in France, in which 107 applicants took part. Various extravagant ideas were under consideration, among them, for example, a giant guillotine, which was supposed to be reminiscent of the French Revolution of 1789.

Among the participants of the competition was the engineer and designer Gustave Eiffel, who proposed a project that had never been seen before in world construction - a 300-meter metal tower - the most tall building in the world. He got the very idea of ​​the tower from the drawings of his company's employees Maurice Koehlen and Emile Nougier. Gustave Eiffel receives a joint patent for the project with them, and subsequently redeems from them the exclusive right to the future Eiffel Tower.

The Eiffel project becomes one of the 4 winners and then the engineer makes final changes to it, finding a compromise between the original purely engineering design scheme and the decorative version. Thanks to the changes made by the engineer to the decoration of the tower, the organizers of the competition gave preference to his "Iron Lady".

In the end, the committee stops at the Eiffel plan, although the very idea of ​​​​the tower did not belong to him, but to two of his employees: Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nougier. Collect within two years complex structure, like a tower, was possible only because Eiffel applied special construction methods. This explains the decision of the exhibition committee in favor of this project.

In order for the tower to be more responsive aesthetic tastes demanding Parisian public, the architect Stefan Sauvestre proposed to sheathe the basement supports of the tower with stone, connect its supports and the ground floor platform with the help of majestic arches, which would simultaneously become the main entrance to the exhibition, place spacious glazed halls on the floors of the tower, give the top of the tower a rounded shape and use various decorative elements for its decoration.

In January 1887, the Eiffel, the state and the municipality of Paris signed an agreement, according to which Eiffel was granted for personal use the operational lease of the tower for a period of 25 years, and also provided for the payment of a cash subsidy in the amount of 1.5 million gold francs, which amounted to 25% of all expenses for tower construction. On December 31, 1888, in order to raise the missing funds, a joint-stock company was created with an authorized fund of 5 million francs. Half of this amount is funds deposited by three banks, the other half is Eiffel's personal funds.

The final construction budget amounted to 7.8 million francs.

• Eiffel Tower- This is the emblem of Paris and a high-altitude antenna.
• At the same time, 10,000 people can be on the tower.
• The project was made by the architect Stephan Sauvestre, but the engineer Gustave Eiffel (1823-1923), better known to the public, built the tower. Other works by Eiffel: Ponte de Dona Maria Pia, viaduct de Garabi, iron frame for New York's Statue of Liberty.
• Since its inception, the tower has been visited by about 250 million people.
• The mass of the metal part of the structure is 7,300 tons, and the entire tower is 10,100 tons.
• In 1925, the rogue Victor Lustig managed to sell the iron structure for scrap, and he was able to pull off this trick twice!
• In good weather, from the top of the tower, Paris and its surroundings can be viewed within a radius of up to 70 kilometers. It is believed that the best time to visit the Eiffel Tower, providing the best visibility, is an hour before sunset.
• The tower also holds a sad record - about 400 people committed suicide by throwing themselves down from its upper platform. In 2009, the terrace was fenced with protective barriers and now this place is very popular with romantic couples kissing in front of all of Paris.

Sasha Mitrahovich 19.01.2016 13:32

One of the most talented swindlers of the 20th century was Count Victor Lustig (1890-1947). This man spoke five languages, received an excellent upbringing. He was bold and fearless. 45 of his pseudonyms are known, and only in the USA he was arrested 50 times.

"As long as there are fools in the world, Deception to live with us, therefore, from the hand."

There are a great many smart scammers who use not too smart fellow citizens for their own purposes. But to your name entered not only in criminal chronicles, but also in legends - you must truly have extraordinary abilities. One of these scammers is Viktor Lustig.

Among his exploits are both minor sins and grandiose scams. A young man from a poor Czech family presented himself as a ruined Austrian count. And so skillfully adhered to this role - that no one had any doubts about his title. Fluency in five languages, knowledge of all the intricacies of secular and business etiquette, the ability to freely stay in society - these are the qualities thanks to which he was his own both in high society, and in the gangster environment. However, in addition to his native "count" surname, the swindler used several dozen more pseudonyms for his activities. Under them, Victor went on various cruises and arranged various drawings and lotteries on board the ships from those that we habitually call “scams” ​​today.

Fair game, or the Al Capone scam

One of the legends associated with the name of Lustig was the story of his "collaboration" with Al Capone. One day, in 1926, a tall, well-dressed young man visited a famous gangster of the day. The man introduced himself as Count Victor Lustig. He asked for $50,000 to double that amount.

The gangster was not at all sorry to invest such an insignificant amount in a dubious enterprise, and he gave them to the count. The deadline for the implementation of the plan is 2 months. Lustig took the money, put it in a bank vault in Chicago, and then went to New York. Lustig made no attempt to double the amount left in Chicago.

Two months later, he returned, took the money from the bank and went to the gangster. There he apologized, said that the plan did not work and gave the money back. To which the gangster replied, “I expected $100,000 or nothing. But… get my money back… Yes, you fair man! If you're in trouble, just take this." He gave the count $5,000. But these 5 thousand were the target of Lustig's scam!

Scrap metal, or how the Eiffel Tower was sold

But what is a "bonus" of five thousand? And the amounts that Victor helped out as a result of lotteries, fraud with banks and not too fair poker games seemed to him miserable. The soul demanded scope. That the fraud was grandiose. Well, the proceeds, of course, should not lag behind either.

Lustig yearned for action and suitable occasion did not take long to wait. In May 1925, Victor Lustig and his friend and companion Dan Collins arrived in Paris. On the first day of their arrival, their attention was drawn to an article in the local newspaper. It talked about the fact that the famous one is in a terrible state and the city authorities are considering the option of dismantling it.

The idea of ​​a brilliant scam was born instantly. For its implementation, a luxurious room was rented in an expensive hotel and documents were made stating that Viktor Lustig was the deputy head of the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs. Then invitations were sent out to the five largest metal traders. The letters contained an invitation to an important and top-secret meeting with Deputy CEO department to the Crillon Hotel, at that time the most prestigious hotel in Paris.

After meeting the guests in luxurious apartments, Lustig began to make a lengthy speech about the content eiffel tower costs the state a lot of money. That it was built as a temporary structure for the World Exhibition in Paris, and now, after 30 years, is so dilapidated that it simply poses a threat to Paris and the city authorities are considering demolishing the tower. Therefore, a kind of tender for the purchase of the tower was announced among those present.

Such a proposal could not fail to arouse the interest of those invited, but Andre Poisson was especially interested in it. He was inspired not only by the obvious financial benefits of the deal, but also by the opportunity to make history. Maybe it was this conceited interest that was noticed by Lustig and it was he who became the reason that after some time it was Monsieur Poisson who was assigned a confidential meeting.

During this meeting, Victor Lustig was somewhat restless. He told Poisson that he had every chance of winning the tender, and for a complete victory, he only needed to "advance" his candidacy a little with the help of a small reward personally to Victor. Prior to this meeting, Monsieur Poisson had suspicions: why all meetings related to the tender take place in such a secret setting, and not even in the offices of the ministry, but in a hotel room. But such extortion on the part of the official, oddly enough, dispelled Poisson's last doubts about the suspicious transaction. He counted out several large bills and persuaded Lustig to take them, then wrote a check for a quarter of a million francs, received documents for the Eiffel Tower and left satisfied. When Monsieur Poisson began to suspect something was wrong, Victor Lustig had already fled to Vienna with a suitcase of cash received on the check he had drawn.

Even despite the fact that Victor Lustig fell into the hands of the police more than fifty times - he always managed to get away with it. The police had to let the talented swindler go, because they simply did not have enough evidence to prove his guilt. Victor Lustig was not only a talented swindler, but also a good psychologist. Most of the victims he deceived did not go to the police, not wanting to look like fools in the eyes of the public. Even Monsieur Poisson, who "bought" the Eiffel Tower for a substantial amount, was more likely to part with his money than to become the laughingstock of all Paris and lose his reputation as a shrewd businessman.

The history of the Eiffel Tower has become swan song Lustig. Some time after the deal with Poisson, he returned to Paris and decided to sell the tower again to one of the bidders. But the deceived businessman quickly saw through the swindler and reported to the police. Lustig managed to escape the French police for the United States. But there he was caught and put on trial. American justice has also accumulated a lot of claims against the talented swindler. In December 1935, the count was arrested. He received 15 years in prison for counterfeiting dollars, as well as 5 years for escaping from another prison just a month ago. He was transferred to the famous Alcatraz prison island near San Francisco, where he died of pneumonia in March 1947.

Sasha Mitrahovich 19.01.2016 14:08