It is the symbol of Paris, of France, and of romance itself. Every year, seven million people climb its steps to gaze out over the City of Light.
But did you know that the Eiffel Tower was originally hated by the people of Paris? Or that it was supposed to be torn down and sold for scrap metal just 20 years after it was built?
From artist protests to secret military radio bunkers, here is the true history of the Eiffel Tower.
1. A Giant Entrance Arch (1889 World's Fair)
In 1889, France was preparing to host the Exposition Universelle (World's Fair) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. They needed a centerpiece—something bold and modern.
A bridge engineer named Gustave Eiffel won the contest.
The Design: While Eiffel gets the credit, the design actually came from two of his employees, Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier. They envisioned a 300-meter pylon made of lattice ironwork.
The Goal: It was to be the tallest man-made structure in the world, stealing the title from the Washington Monument in the USA.
2. "The Useless Monstrosity"
Today, we see the tower as a masterpiece. In 1887, Parisians saw it as a giant, ugly factory chimney.
A group of 300 famous artists, writers, and architects signed a petition called "Protest Against the Tower of Mr. Eiffel." They called it a "giddy, ridiculous tower" and claimed it would humiliate the beautiful architecture of Paris (like Notre Dame and the Louvre).
Famous Hater: The writer Guy de Maupassant reportedly ate lunch at the tower’s restaurant every day. When asked why, he said, "It is the only place in Paris where I don't have to see it."
3. Saved by Science (and Radio)
The tower was only built with a 20-year permit. In 1909, ownership would revert to the City of Paris, and the plan was to dismantle it.
Gustave Eiffel fought desperately to save his creation. He knew he had to prove it was useful, not just pretty.
The Lab: He built a meteorology lab on the third floor.
The Savior: The real savior was the radio antenna. Eiffel installed a giant antenna at the top, which the French military found incredibly useful for communicating with ships and troops.
WWI Hero: During World War I, the tower intercepted enemy radio messages, including one that helped the Allies win the Battle of the Marne. The military importance made the tower untouchable.
4. The Tower During WWII
When the Nazis occupied Paris in 1940, the French resistance wanted to deny Hitler the satisfaction of viewing the city from the top.
The Sabotage: They cut the elevator cables. If Hitler wanted to reach the summit, he would have to climb the 1,665 steps. (He chose not to).
The Order to Destroy: As the Allies approached Paris in 1944, Hitler ordered the city’s military governor, Dietrich von Choltitz, to demolish the tower and burn the city. Fortunately, von Choltitz disobeyed the order, and the "Iron Lady" survived.
Mind-Blowing Facts for Your Travel Diary
It Shrinks and Grows: Because iron expands when it gets hot, the Eiffel Tower can grow by up to 6 inches (15 cm) in the summer. In winter, it shrinks back down.
The Secret Apartment: Gustave Eiffel built himself a small, private apartment at the very top of the tower. He used it to host famous guests like Thomas Edison. Today, you can still peek inside it!
Not Black, But Bronze: The tower is painted a custom color called "Eiffel Tower Brown." It’s actually painted in three different shades (darker at the bottom, lighter at the top) to make it look uniform against the sky.
A Paint Job from Hell: Every seven years, 25 painters strip and repaint the entire tower by hand. It takes 60 tons of paint to cover it.
Final Thoughts
The Eiffel Tower is a reminder that "beauty" is subjective. What was once called a "tragic street lamp" is now the most visited paid monument in the world. It survived wars, protests, and rust to become the heart of France.
Have you been to the top? Did you take the elevator, or were you brave enough to walk up the stairs? Let me know in the comments!
Suggested Tags/Labels
#Paris #EiffelTower #FranceTravel #HistoryBuff #Architecture #WorldWonders #TravelBlog #GustaveEiffel #ParisHistory
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