Our Planet’s Landmarks Series #37

Eiffel Tower Paris France

You are born a deer with a lifespan of a mere 20 years. Along the way, you turn into a tortoise with a lifespan of 130 years and counting. Prey, you can only be Eiffel Tower!

The cast iron monument of love! - Travelure ©
The cast iron monument of love!

Yes. Eiffel Tower was intended to last 20 years. They built it in 1889 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. But this monument beat the odds and survived. And celebrated its 130th anniversary this year. When built, it created a record of sorts. From start to finish, the construction took only 2 years, 2 months and 5 days!

Eiffel Tower, as seen from underneath - Travelure ©
Eiffel Tower, as seen from underneath

As a part of the UNESCO listing ‘Paris, Banks of Seine’, today it attracts over 7 million people every year. In fact, over 300 million people from across the globe have enjoyed all it has to offer since its opening in 1889.

Symbol of Romance

Most visitors spend a lion’s share of their Paris time in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. They do so for countless reasons. Gaping. Kissing. Wooing. Proposing. Proclaiming love. Creating memories. Lovers have been locking their love on the locks bridge in Paris (not permitted anymore). Yet, it is ironic the city gets its nickname courtesy this cast iron structure.

Illuminated Eiffel Tower as viewed from across Pont d'Iéna (Jena Bridge). You can also see the hourly baker's illumination in this shot. - Travelure ©
Illuminated Eiffel Tower as viewed from across Pont d’Iéna (Jena Bridge). You can also see the hourly baker’s illumination in this shot.

A visit to the Eiffel Tower is a bucket list item for most. But, its most romantic feel may be had from across the Pont d’Iéna (Jena Bridge). Day and dinner cruises around the Seine also offer the passengers a magnificent view of the tower. Nights add a generous dash of glamour to the illuminated tower with baker’s illumination every hour.

View of Trocadero across the Seine from the 3rd level of the tower - Travelure ©
View of Trocadero across the Seine from the 3rd level of the tower

Eiffel Tower – Levelling up

From a distance, this spindly structure looks like an impoverished skeleton. As you get closer, you realise its 4 pillars form a 410-square feet (125-square metre) square. Now that’s as massive as they come!

View of the gardens behind - Travelure ©
View of the gardens behind

Its original height was 312 metres. But it got taller (324 metres) upon installation of a TV antenna on its top. The tower has three levels. At the heights of 57 metres, 115 metres, and at 276 metres.

View of River Seine from the top - Travelure ©
View of River Seine from the top

The floor plates of these levels shrink as you go higher. The space of 14,485 square feet at Level One shrinks to a tiny 820 square feet on Level Three.

Eiffel Tower at the blue hour - Travelure ©
Eiffel Tower at the blue hour

Why go up?

As a photographer always in search of a great vantage, I would never bother with a question like this. But the trip up is pricey (between €19.40 and €25.50 currently). To spend that kind of cash, the reason must justify the outgo.

Another view of River Seine from the top - Travelure ©
Another view of River Seine from the top

Paris has restricted construction to six floors in the entire municipal district. Result? The entire city is a relative low-rise, rising at the most to 18 metres (barring some exceptions). Getting a vantage 276 metres above is akin to getting an aerial view of the city. Check out the images I shot from the top to convince yourself of spending the hefty gate money.

A wide angle shot of the Eiffel Tower from near its base - Travelure ©
A wide angle shot of the Eiffel Tower from near its base

An epitome of romance, an engineering marvel, a photographer’s delight, and much more. If this isn’t enough to qualify it as our planet’s landmark, what else would!

For more planet’s landmarks, click HERE

For UNESCO listing of ‘Paris, Banks of Seine’, click HERE

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Thanks,for sharing your travel experience.I am planning a Honeymoon trip to
    Paris for 4 days with my husband and we are thinking to take a Honeymoon package. I have 4 days to visit this wonderful city. After searching so much on Google I found your post about the Paris and it’s very helpful Can you also suggest me some location in Paris.

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