With its majestic steel structure cutting through the Paris skyline, the Eiffel Tower has become not only a symbol of France but also an iconic representation of humanity’s architectural achievements. Built in 1889 by the renowned engineer Gustave Eiffel, this masterpiece of industrial beauty rises 324 meters into the sky and has captivated visitors and locals for more than a century. Yet behind its impressive height and radiant presence lies a fascinating history and a collection of surprising facts that are sure to spark curiosity — and make you raise an eyebrow.
1 This is how many steps the Eiffel Tower has in total…
The Eiffel Tower has a total of 1,665 steps from ground level to the very top. However, there are no public staircases that allow visitors to climb all the way to the summit. Visitors can only use the stairs up to the second floor, after which an elevator is required to reach the top.
And honestly — that might be just fine for most people. [source]
2 And this is how many bolts the Eiffel Tower contains…
Humans have always been fascinated by numbers — especially the slightly unnecessary ones. One surprisingly popular question people search for is how many bolts the Eiffel Tower actually has. And yes, there is an answer — or at least a very close estimate.
The Eiffel Tower is held together by 18,038 forged iron bolts. That’s a remarkably impressive number, considering the sheer size, complexity, and engineering precision of this iconic structure. [source]
3 Don’t miss the famous Eiffel Tower light show…
The Eiffel Tower is fitted with sparkling lights that turn on every full hour after sunset and continue until midnight. This dazzling light show lasts for about five minutes and has become an iconic part of Paris’s nighttime atmosphere, drawing crowds of visitors every evening. [source]
4 An American woman once “married” the Eiffel Tower…
In 2007, a woman named Erika La Tour Eiffel held a ceremony in which she “married” the Eiffel Tower. The event was not legally binding, but rather a symbolic act. Erika La Tour Eiffel is known for being part of a phenomenon called “object sexuality“, in which individuals form emotional and romantic attachments to objects — in this case, a famous landmark like the Eiffel Tower.
An image of the “newlywed” and “happy couple” can be seen below. [source]
5 This is how the Eiffel Tower was built…
The Eiffel Tower was constructed between 1887 and 1889 as a centerpiece for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. The project was led by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel and his company. The tower is made of wrought iron and consists of more than 18,000 individual parts, held together by approximately 2.5 million rivets.
The construction process involved manufacturing the iron components off-site, which were then transported to the construction area. Once there, the pieces were assembled using rivets, small metal fasteners that secured the structure together. Workers relied on scaffolding and cranes to lift and position each section, while carefully ensuring the tower remained stable and safe throughout the build. Standing at 324 meters tall, the Eiffel Tower became the world’s tallest structure and held that title until the 1930s. [source]
6 The Eiffel Tower is more than just a tourist attraction…
The tower serves multiple purposes, making it a truly iconic and versatile structure. First and foremost, it is one of the world’s most famous tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year who come to experience its architecture and panoramic views of Paris. It also functions as a major observation point, allowing visitors to enjoy the city from several different levels.
From a technical standpoint, the tower also acts as a broadcast antenna for television and radio signals, providing wide coverage across the Paris region. In addition, the tower is used as a venue for cultural events, including art exhibitions and temporary installations, further cementing its role beyond tourism. [source]
You may also like
7 He wanted to showcase his new invention — a parachute — and jumped from the Eiffel Tower, dying instantly…
Franz Reichelt was an Austrian inventor who died on February 4, 1912, after jumping from the first platform of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. He had designed an early parachute prototype and attempted to demonstrate it in front of spectators and the press.
Tragically, the parachute failed to deploy properly, and Reichelt fell to the ground at the base of the tower, resulting in his instant death. The incident became one of the most infamous and haunting moments in the Eiffel Tower’s history. [source]
8 This is why the Eiffel Tower has its iconic appearance…
The Eiffel Tower’s distinctive look is the result of its original purpose and the engineering techniques used in its construction. Designed by Gustave Eiffel and his team for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris, the tower was built with a structurally efficient iron framework and was originally intended to be temporary and dismantled after the exhibition. However, it proved so popular and useful that it was allowed to remain.
Its appearance is defined by an open, lattice-like design that provides both exceptional stability and visual lightness. The crisscrossing iron beams were not only functional but also a reflection of the industrial aesthetic of the era. As a result, the Eiffel Tower is not just a symbol of Paris, but a globally recognized masterpiece of architecture and engineering. [source]
9 There are more than 30 replicas of the Eiffel Tower around the world…
There are around 30 different copies or replicas of the Eiffel Tower located across the world, built in various sizes and styles. One of the most famous replicas can be found in Las Vegas, USA, where it stands as part of the iconic landmarks along the Las Vegas Strip.
This replica is a scaled-down version of the original tower in Paris and has become a popular tourist attraction in its own right. An image of the Las Vegas Eiffel Tower replica can be seen below. [source]
10 The designer had a private apartment at the top of the Eiffel Tower…
Gustave Eiffel had a private apartment located at the very top of the famous tower. The apartment was mainly used to host prominent guests and as a space where Eiffel could conduct scientific experiments.
However, the apartment is not open to the public today and has never been accessible since the tower first opened in 1889. Although there have been suggestions over the years to open the apartment to visitors, this has never been implemented. [source]
5 Common Questions About the Eiffel Tower
The tower is 324 meters (1,063 feet) tall, including its antennas. When it was completed in 1889, it was the tallest structure in the world, a title it held until the 1930s.
Yes, visitors can climb the stairs up to the second floor, which involves 674 steps. To reach the summit, an elevator is required, as there are no public stairs all the way to the top.
The tower was built for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. It was originally intended to be temporary, but its popularity and usefulness saved it from being dismantled.
The Eiffel Tower attracts around 6–7 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited paid monuments in the world.
Yes, the tower sparkles every hour after sunset until midnight. The light show lasts about five minutes and has become one of Paris’s most iconic nighttime sights.
