La Tour Eiffel!

There probably isn't much I can say about the Eiffel Tower that hasn't been said before. Built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889, the tower was scheduled to be only for the event.

Gustave Eiffel designed the tower and it met with a good deal of bad press. "There's no way to avoid seeing it," author Guy de Maupassant said.

At the time, it was the world's tallest building, and remained so until the Empire State Building was constructed.

So, why does it still stand? It all has to do with the radio towers on the top of the building! All of a sudden it was practical!

I've never been up inside the tower -- partly because of height issues and partly because of timing (and, in 2009, lines). But there are lifts that can take you up three levels, the top being 905 feet! There are other stops as well, including the Jules Verne Restaurant on the second level.

My guide book tells me that the complex patter of pig-iron girders comes from a need to stabilize the tower in strong winds.

It wouldn't matter to me -- I find it beautiful!

The first time we saw it was on the road, leaving for Brittany. Then, on our car-ride through Paris, Jerry dropped us off at Trocadero, which has an amazing view, so we could get some photos.

When we returned several days later, it was raining, as usual. We were on the way to dinner at Tribeca in Rue Cler. We wandered through the Champ de Mars, which is on the south side of the tower, and because not many others were out in the rain, were able to get some good close-ups and put down the umbrella for a photo op!

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When we returned at sunset, we were clearly in for a treat.

The later it got, the more beautiful it became!

And then the lights came on! I'm told that generally on the hour, they twinkle for 10 minutes. It didn't do that while we were there, but that was fine with me!

 

And, as we left, we couldn't resist one last photo!

Tower Tips

1) There is an admission charge to go up in the tower. They say some of the best views of Paris are here. If you're not for heights or admission, enjoy a picnic on the Champ de Mars and walk around the base of the tower, which is fascinating in itself.

2) Try to get there in the evening so you can enjoy the fabulous sunsets and lighting that we did.

3) Jerry was right -- the best "photo op" view is from Trocadero, because you can get the entire tower in the photo background.

4) While you're in the neighborhood, head east a few blocks to the enchanting Rue Cler, a two-block area that includes lots of street vendors and some excellent restaurants. If the weather is nice, you can easily find your picnic treats there!

This post is part of Bookbath and Thyme for Tea's "Paris in July" party! It's also part of my "vacation post" drawing, which will conclude whenever I get through it all! Please link HERE to a marvelous of over 25 "Paris in July" participants!