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.

14313
Eiffel Tower

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
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14445
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457489
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26436
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

48921
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments