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Being discussed by many people
when it was built, the Eiffel Tower was, on the occasion of the world fair of
1889, the window of the French technological know-how. Approved by a large majority
of the
public from her presentation, it received more than 240 million visitors since
its unveiling. Its special size and its immediately recognizable silhouette made
it become the emblem of Paris.
Imagined by Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, main engineers of "Eiffel
and Cie", the Eiffel Tower was conceived to be the highlight of the Exhibition
of 1889 being held in Paris. It was also a tribute to the centenary of the
French Revolution. The first plan was made in June of 1884 and improved by
Stephen Sauvestre, the main architect of the firm, who brought it a look more
attractive.
The 1st May of 1886, the french Minister of Trade and Industry Edward Lockroy,
ardent defender of this project, signed an order which declared opened a competition
with the aim of The World fair of 1889. Gustave Eiffel wins this competition
and a convention of January 8th, 1887, fixes the rules of the exploitation
of the building.
Built in two years, two months and five days, from 1887 to 1889, by 250 workers,
it is officially inaugurated on March 31st, 1889. Then, the number of visitors
reduces quickly. the Eiffel Tower will really know a constant and massive success
only from the sixties, with the development of the international tourism. It
receives now more than six million visitors every year.
Its 300 metres high allowed him the title of « higher structure of the
world » until the building in 1930 of Chrysler Building, up to New York.
Built on "le Champ-de-Mars", near "la Seine",
in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, it is nowadays operated by the "Société d'exploitation
de la tour Eiffel" (SETE).
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Books and guides
about Paris
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