Eiffel Tower -

It’s been sometime since our visit to Paris, but I remember it as if it was yesterday! One of the highlights of our trip was definitely visiting the Eiffel Tower. Just seeing it from the ground is tremendous – imagine climbing to the top and enjoying the view. The line might look long, but it doesn’t really take too long. Be sure you are ready to go up when you get in line and make sure take the kids to toilets before you go up to really enjoy the views. Since it is a must see, you will be packed like a sardine in the elevators. You will switch elevators on the way up. At the top you will be in an enclosed area, but go up the stairs to the outside and walk all the way around.

Every day we look at the photos in our home and realize how lucky we are to have been there and definitely want to go back again with kids. Everybody will always say that the number one thing to do in Paris is to go to the Eiffel Tower – and they’re right. The tower is beautiful at night as it is lit up and sparkles every ten minutes.

Our tips would be to get there about 9.00am (it opens at 9.30am) to ensure minimum queuing and take a warm jacket because it gets very chilly up there even when it is sunny and warm on the ground.

Some facts about the Eiffel Tower:

Located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most well known structures in the world.
The Eiffel Tower was originally built as the entrance arch for the World’s Fair in 1889.
It is named after Gustave Eiffel, whose company was in charge of the project.
The Eiffel Tower is 320 metres (1050 feet) in height and was the tallest man made structure in the world for 41 years before being surpassed by the Chrysler Building in New York.
The Eiffel Tower is made of iron and weighs around 10000 tonnes.
Around 50 tonnes of paint are added to the Eiffel Tower every 7 years to protect it from rust.
Despite its height, the Eiffel Tower was designed to be wind resistant, swaying only a few inches in the wind. It actually moves further when the iron on the sun facing side heats and expands, moving the top up to 7 inches (18 centimetres) away from the sun.
Temperature also alters the height of the Eiffel Tower by up to 6 inches (15 centimetres).
Millions of people climb the Eiffel Tower every year and it has had over 250 million visitors since its opening.
Visitors can climb up stairs to the first two levels or take a lift, which also has access to the third and highest level.
Being so popular, the Eiffel Tower design has been recreated around the world, including the half scale replica at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel in Nevada, USA and the full scale Tokyo Tower in Japan.
Not everyone liked the Eiffel Tower when it was first built, with many criticizing its bold design.
The French name for the Eiffel Tower is La Tour Eiffel; it also has the nickname La dame de fer that means the iron lady.