The Eiffel tower is perhaps the best known landmark in Paris and arguably all of France. It was built in 1889 and was at the time the world’s largest tower.

It was built by engineer Gustave Eiffel for theExposition Universelle similar to the Belgians building the Atomimum for Expo ’58.

Eiffel originally designed the tower to be built in Barcelona, but the Spanish council decided it was too expensive and did not match the aesthetics of the city. So Eiffel entered his design into the Parison contest for an entrance arch to the Expositon Universelle, part of the design brief was that it had to be easily deconstructed as the structure was only temporary, 20 years. Luckily it became an invaluable communications tower during the Battle of the Marne, so it was decided not to take it down.

The official tour Eiffel site has a great pdf of all you need to know.

It’s cheap for entry to the tower, the actual cost depends on which floor you visit, obviously the top is the most expensive at €12,00.

The view was amazing at night time, and was definitely worth the 2 hours queuing to get to the top! You have to queue to get the ticket, and queue between floors for the elevators but it was totally worth it.