7 Fun Facts About The Eiffel Tower | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Featured

7 Fun Facts About The Eiffel Tower

The iconic landmark is reinventing itself with a splashy new color.

14.4k
Eiffel Tower

In This Article:

Soon, the 2024 Summer Olympics are coming to Paris, and the Eiffel Tower will be in the spotlight.

Embedded so much into Paris's identity, the iconic landmark is no stranger to historic events and world-class gatherings over the years. It is sure to shine again.

Here are 7 fun facts about the Eiffel Tower. See how many you know...

1. It's Being Painted Gold

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower Gold

freesvg.org

Repainting is done about every seven years, per the official Eiffel Tower website, and the 20th edition is extra special: it's going gold. Previous paint is being stripped and gold paint is being used in a project that is slated to be completed by the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics. (Lonely Planet)

2. It Was Protested In Its Earliest Years: 'A Dark Ink Stain'

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower on 1888-11-14 - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

A series of prominent artists, poets and composers all came out against the Eiffel Tower in its earliest days, calling it ugly and saying it had no place in Paris. This drew a response from Gustave Eiffel himself, who found the Eiffel Tower comparable to the pyramids in Egypt, "a symbol of strength and overcoming adversity." (Tour Eiffel)

3. It Was The World's Tallest Structure For 41 Years

Eiffel Tower

Low angle of The Eiffel Tower

www.flickr.com

From 1889 when it was constructed to 1930, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest man-made structure in the world. It was surpassed by the Chrysler Building in New York City. (Chaletcouleursde France)

4. It Will Serve As A Backdrop At The Olympics

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower Bridge | Bridge leading towards the Eiffel Tower

www.flickr.com

It will be hard to miss the Eiffel Tower during the Games, as it will be visible in the background of both triathlon and open water swimming events. (Travel + Leisure)

5. It Once Had A Theater, A Post Office + A Newsroom

Eiffel Tower

Interior of Old Theatre, 1921 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

A wooden structure that was designed by the Eiffel Tower's architect, the first-floor theater was replaced after the 1937 World's Fair. It also had a post office, a newsroom, and a radio station in earlier years. (Tour Eiffel)

6. It Was Originally Built For The World Fair

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower in 1914 - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

The Eiffel Tower was one of the main attractions at the World's Fair in 1889, which commemorated 100 years since the French Revolution. It drew attention for its iron and steel construction, which was a great industrial achievement at the time. (All That's Interesting)

7. It Was Part Of A Flight Competition In The Early 1900s

Eiffel Tower

File:Santos-Dumont flight around the Eiffel Tower - Wikimedia

commons.wikimedia.org

There was a 100,000 francs prize for flying from a designated location to the Eiffel Tower and back within 30 minutes. This competition was won in an airship in 1901 by Brazilian pioneer aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. (APS)


Report this Content
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

77969
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

7503
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments