The Eiffel Towerâ?¦does anyone not know that this is the icon of Paris?  Show a picture or a cute little statuette of this iconic figure and most people will say "oh yea, Paris"â?¦So why is it called The Eiffel Tower, not the Paris tower or French Tower or what?  Because it was designed by Alexander Gustave Eiffel and credit is forever given to this French engineer, who had the foresight and audacity to design a tower, 324 meter  1063 ft. ) tall and constructed of IRONâ?¦not stone, which was the favored building material of his time ( late 19^th century). Eiffel wanted to win a competition to design the centerpiece for the Paris Exposition of 1889; the centenary of the French Revolution.  Needless to say, he won, and the 9441 ton wrought iron "needle" is visible proof.

For about 4 or 5 euros you can climb the 1710 steps to the third (top) level; for a few more euros you can take the elevator to the 2^nd platform and walk to the top platform, and if itâ??s a very clear day (preferably September or October), you can look out over all the City of Lightsâ?¦ a fabulous view at night.  The rewards are spectacular! 

Now remember, you are in France so thereâ??s bound to be some fine dining too.  On the 2^nd platform is the Jules Verne restaurant.  Supervised by the master chef Alain Ducasse, a three course dinner will be pricey, probably about 100 euros.  There is a brasserie-style restaurant at the first platform (58 Tour Eiffel) which is, you guessed it, 58 meters (about 190 feet) above Paris; and Les Buffet de la Tour Eiffel for pizza (in Paris ??), sandwiches, etc.

Three elevators run outside on the North, West and East pillars, thereâ??s usually two in service at any timeâ?¦they are fun!  You can look out as you go up and see the fantastic iron work, the zillions of rivets and marvel that this giant Erector Set must be maintained and painted constantly!   60 to 70 tons of paint are applied every seven yearsâ?¦by old fashioned brush, not spray painted.  Be grateful that the entire confection wasnâ??t torn down and sold for scrap iron, as almost happened a few decades after the Paris Exposition closed.  There was much controversy, but it still stands, partially because the tower proved a wonderful radio tower, the first transmission having been sent in 1898â?¦the first television transmission was in 1957.

An interesting fact:  the planners of the United States Columbian Exposition of 1893, celebrating the 400^th anniversary of Columbusâ?? discovery of America, wanted to capture the worldâ??s attention and out-do France with something more original, more daring.  Thus was born the Chicago Ferris Wheel â?¦the brain child of G. W. G. Ferris, a young designer of steel bridges.  Not as tall as the Parisian attraction, but unique in all the world, at that time.

At least 250 million people have visited since the day it opened! When you are in Paris, you must go!  Walk up, use the elevatorâ?¦whatever.  Handicapped travelers can be accommodated up to the second platformâ?¦after that, only steps to the third.  If you go to the very top, you will be in a construction that was, at one time, the tallest man-made edifice in the world.

Voyez-toi au dessus !!!