Imagine standing at the base of a giant metal structure that weighs as much as 1,400 elephants. That is exactly what looking up at the Eiffel Tower feels like.
For over 130 years, this “Iron Lady” has watched over Paris, dodging demolition orders and surviving wars to become the most famous monument on Earth. But here is the secret most textbooks miss: it is a living, breathing science experiment. It moves in the wind, grows in the heat, and used to be the world’s biggest radio antenna.
Whether you are writing a school report or planning a family trip to Paris, this guide unpacks the rusty, sparkly, sky-high truth about Gustave Eiffel’s masterpiece.
The Iron Lady Was Hated (At First!)
Most people today think the tower is beautiful, but back in the late 1800s, Parisians were absolutely horrified. They called it a “useless monstrosity” and a “tragic street lamp.” A group of famous artists even wrote a petition screaming that it would humiliate Paris. They wanted it torn down after just 20 years.
Gustave Eiffel, the genius engineer behind it, wasn’t just building a tower; he was building a giant science lab. To save his creation from the scrap heap, he installed a radio antenna at the very top. That antenna proved so useful for military communication that the city decided to keep it.
Traveler Tip: If you visit the Champ de Mars (the big grass field), look for the bust of Gustave Eiffel near the North Pillar. It is a great spot to explain to kids that sometimes, great ideas take time to be appreciated.
By The Numbers: A Mathematical Monster
Forget boring dates—let’s look at the sheer scale of this thing. The tower is a puzzle made of iron, held together by heat and force.
The “Iron Lady” Data Sheet
| Feature | The Stat | Comparison |
| Current Height | 330 meters (1,083 feet) | Taller than an 80-story building. |
| Weight | 10,100 tons | Equal to 1,400 African Elephants. |
| Rivets | 2,500,000 | Think of these as the “nails” holding it together. |
| Paint Required | 60 tons | The weight of 10 Tyrannosaurus Rexes. |
| Steps to Top | 1,665 | Though you can only walk up to the 2nd floor (674 steps). |
Why Does the Tower Change Size?
This is the fact that usually wins the science fair. Iron is a metal that expands (gets bigger) when it gets hot and contracts (shrinks) when it gets cold. This is called thermal expansion.
In the summer, the sun beats down on the iron, making the particles vibrate and move apart. This can cause the Eiffel Tower to grow up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) taller!
But that’s not all. Because the sun usually hits only one side of the tower at a time, that hot side expands while the shady side stays cool. This makes the tower actually lean away from the sun by a few inches. It is basically trying to find its own shade.
The Secret Apartment at the Top
While millions of tourists were squeezed onto the viewing platforms, Gustave Eiffel built himself a private VIP hideout at the very top level.
It wasn’t a luxury hotel room, but a cozy scientific office. It had wooden furniture, oil paintings, a grand piano, and laboratory equipment. Famous inventor Thomas Edison even visited him there to chat about phonographs.
Today, you can’t rent it for a sleepover (unfortunately), but if you buy a ticket to the Summit, you can peek through a window and see wax figures of Eiffel and Edison hanging out just like they did in 1889.
Visiting with Kids: The Survival Guide
Taking the family to the Eiffel Tower is magical, but without a strategy, it is a nightmare of long lines and “I’m tired” complaints. Here is the reality of visiting right now.
Stairs vs. Elevator: The Great Debate
You have two main ways to get up: walking or riding.
Option A: The Stairs (The Blue Ticket)
You climb 674 steps to the 2nd floor.
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Pros: Much cheaper, shorter security lines, and you get serious bragging rights. You see the construction up close.
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Cons: It is physically tiring. If you have toddlers or grandparents, this is a hard pass.
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The Vibe: You feel the wind and hear the city noises fade away as you climb. It feels like an adventure.
Option B: The Elevator (The Yellow Ticket)
Whisks you from the ground to the 2nd floor, and then a separate elevator takes you to the Summit.
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Pros: effortless and accessible for strollers (mostly).
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Cons: The lines for the elevators are notoriously long. We are talking 1-2 hours in peak summer if you don’t book ahead.
Pro-Parent Tip: Buy “Summit Access” tickets in advance. You cannot buy a ticket to the very top (Summit) once you are already on the 2nd floor. If you think you might want to go to the top, commit to it when booking online. The Summit is small, windy, and loud, but the view is unmatched.
Family Ticket Cost Breakdown (Estimates)
| Ticket Type | Adult Price | Child (4-11) | Youth (12-24) | Under 4 |
| Stairs (2nd Floor) | €11.80 | €3.00 | €5.90 | Free |
| Elevator (2nd Floor) | €18.80 | €4.70 | €9.40 | Free |
| Elevator (Summit) | €29.40 | €7.40 | €14.70 | Free |
Note: Prices fluctuate; always check the official booking portal before flying.
The Sparkling Lights (And Why You Can’t Copyright Them)
Every night, the tower sparkles for 5 minutes at the beginning of each hour. It looks like giant diamonds are popping on the frame. There are 20,000 special light bulbs wired to make this happen.
Here is a weird legal fact: The Eiffel Tower design itself is in the “public domain” (anyone can take a picture of it during the day). However, the lighting display is considered art and is copyrighted. Technically, professional photographers need permission to sell photos of the tower at night because of the lights. For your Instagram? You are totally fine.
7 Rapid-Fire Weird Facts
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Hitler Couldn’t Climb It: When World War II started and Germany occupied Paris, French resistance fighters cut the elevator cables. This meant if Hitler wanted to hang a flag from the top, he would have to walk all 1,665 steps. He decided not to.
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It Was Yellow: The tower hasn’t always been “Eiffel Tower Brown.” It has been painted red, yellow, and chestnut over the years. It is currently being repainted a golden hue for the Olympic era.
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A Con Artist Sold It: In 1925, a man named Victor Lustig read that the tower needed repairs. He posed as a government official and “sold” the tower to a scrap metal dealer for a suitcase full of cash. He got away with it!
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It Has Names: Look closely at the first balcony. Engraved in the gold paint are the names of 72 French scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. Eiffel wanted to honor the smart people who made the tower possible.
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The Marriage: A woman named Erika LaBrie famously “married” the Eiffel Tower in 2007, changing her name to Erika Eiffel. She loved the structure that much.
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Wind Wobble: During massive storms, the top of the tower can sway by up to 7 inches. You won’t feel it much, but the structure is designed to be flexible so it doesn’t snap.
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The Ice Rink: In past winters, they have installed a functional ice skating rink on the first floor. Skating 57 meters above Paris is a core memory for any kid.
Where to Get the Best Photo (Without People)
Everyone goes to the Trocadéro (the big platform across the river). It is crowded.
Go to Rue de l’Université.
Walk down the side streets. There is a specific dead-end street called Rue de l’Université right next to the tower. The framing is incredible, looking straight up at the ironwork, and usually, it’s much quieter than the main squares.
Another great spot is from a Seine River Cruise. Seeing the tower from the water gives you a sense of just how massive the feet of the tower really are. Many family-friendly boat tours depart right from the foot of the tower—an easy win if the kids’ legs are tired.
The Expert FAQ: Questions Kids Actually Ask
Is the Eiffel Tower the tallest building in the world?
Not anymore! When it was finished in 1889, it was the tallest man-made structure in the world (surpassing the Washington Monument). It held that title for 41 years until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built in 1930. Today, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai is more than twice as tall.
Can you slide down the Eiffel Tower?
No, sadly there is no slide. You have to take the elevator or the stairs down. However, the first floor has a glass floor section where you can look straight down 57 meters. It feels a bit like floating (and is scary for parents!).
Does the Eiffel Tower have a bathroom?
Yes! There are restrooms on the ground floor, the 1st floor, and the 2nd floor. There are no restrooms at the very top (Summit), so make sure you go before you take that final elevator ride up.
Is there a restaurant inside?
Yes, there are a few. There is a casual buffet for snacks, a macaron bar (because, Paris!), and two famous sit-down restaurants: Madame Brasserie (1st floor) and the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne (2nd floor). For families, the buffet or a picnic on the Champ de Mars below is usually the best bet.
What happens to the old paint?
Every 7 years, painters strip off the old paint and apply a new coat to stop it from rusting. They do this entirely by hand—no spray guns allowed! It takes about 18 months to finish the job.
Can I take a stroller to the top?
You can take a stroller to the 2nd floor via the elevator, but you must fold it up. Strollers are not allowed on the very top (Summit) due to space constraints. It is best to bring a baby carrier if you plan to go all the way up.
Why is it called the Eiffel Tower?
It is named after the company that built it, led by Gustave Eiffel. However, two of his engineers (Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier) and an architect (Stephen Sauvestre) actually came up with the design. Gustave Eiffel bought the rights to the patent and made it happen.
Is the Eiffel Tower open every day?
Yes, it is open 365 days a year, even on Christmas. However, it might close temporarily due to very strong winds, strikes, or security issues. Always check the website the morning of your visit.
Next Steps for Your Trip
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