It could never have been predicted that the call of a competition could result in creating something so powerful it would help to spur a major movement and something so innovative it would last over a century longer than it was meant.

In 1887 the Journal Official in Paris launched a competition to 'study the possibility of erecting an iron tower on the Champ-de-Mars that would have a square base, 125 meters on each side and 300 meters high'. The tower would be built for the Universal Exhibition in 1889 and would stand for only 20 years. Out of the 107 entries, engineers Gustave Eiffel, Maurice Koechlin & Emile Noguier and architect Stephen Sauvestre had the winning proposal.

Work began in January of 1887. 50 engineers and designers made 5,300 drawings. 100 workers built more than 18,000 different parts in a workshop outside Paris and and other 132 workers assembled them on site. Digging the foundation took 5 months, with a spade being the only tool used. The tower was to be situated at the northwestern end of the Champs-de-Mars next to the Seine. Because of that, the two pillars on that side required air-compressed foundations using corrugated steel caissons 5 meters (16' 4.8) under the water. The deepest foundation is 15 meters (49' 3).

Hydraulic jacks were used to assemble the first floor and cranes for the second. Each part was built in the workshop in Levallois, but all were riveted into position on site. The Tower was mounted with remarkable precision and this was a major innovation for it's time, but Gustave Eiffel was not known as the Engineer of the Universe for only this project. He had brought a wealth of knowledge and experimentation to this venture and he secretly envisioned his tower lasting far past it's 20 years. Among other acheivements, Eiffel created the internal iron structure for the Statue of Liberty in New York, which still stands today.

The end of the 19th Century was known as the spring of technology in France and Gustave Eiffel was squarely in the middle. Notable accomplishments include the first telephone in 1876 and by 1888, 11,000 people in France had one. 1886 brought the first electric street lights and George Eastman invents transparent photographic film. In March of 1889 the Tower is complete and during its inauguration Gustave Eiffel climbs the 1710 steps to plant the French flag at its peak. He is accompanied by members of the Council of Paris and the President of the Paris City Council. The cost of construction is 7,800,000 French gold francs and its notable that there was not one fatality during the project.

Gustave Eiffel's plans to ensure the Tower's survival beyond its 20 year allotment began immediately upon completion. He had an office installed on the 3rd floor which can be visited today. It was more a laboratory where Eiffel conducted his experiments into meteorology, physiology and astronomy. This laboratory and its experiments would be the basis for his plea to extend the Tower's life span, along with presenting it as a strategic observation post and communications base. The installation of numerous atennae would be the beginning of the Tower's importance in radio and television broadcasting in France that continues to this day.

In 1904, Eiffel and Captain Gustave Ferrie, his partner in many experiments, complete the first telegraphic link from the Tower. It is this succesful introduction of wireless telegraphy that ultimately saves the Tower from demolition in 1909. Many important events would have their beginnings at the Eiffel Tower. From communications to technical advances, the important role the Tower played in the contribution to history and the progress of France still goes on today. http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/fr/index.html

La Tour Eiffel, as it is known in Paris, is open 7 days a week. Hours are below.

• 1 Jan to 12 June - 9:30am to 11pm
• 29 Aug to 31 Dec - 9:00am to Midnight
• Easter and Spring Vacation, open until Midnight

Tickets can be purchased at the Tower, or online here

Current ticket range between 3.00e and 13.10e depending on how far up the tower you travel.

• Tel 33 08 92 70 12 39 (Monday thru Saturday 9am - 7pm) call for group rates

Public transportation to the tower available by Metro, RER, and Bus:

Metro

• Line 6 - Bir-Hakeim Duplex
• Line 6 and 9 - Trocadero
• Line 8 - Ecole Militaire

RER

• Line C Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel
• Bus: 42, 69, 72, 82, 87

Click here for map http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan.php?nompdf=metro&loc=reseaux&fm=pdf

The Eiffel Tower has two restaurants and 'buffets' on the ground floor and the 1st and 2nd. The newest restaurant is 58 Tour Eiffel on the first floor, so named for its 58 meter height above Paris. By day it accommodates visitors in a family-friendly brasserie" and at night the lights dim for a romantic dinner with the sights of Paris visible from every seat. Reservations can be made online. Tel +33 (0)1 76 64 14 64 http://www.restaurants-toureiffel.com/english/restaurant-tour-eiffel-58.html

On the second floor, accessable only by an exclusive elevator on the South Pillar, is the Jules Verne. Named after one of the most influential scientific writers and spokesmen of the 19th Century, the Jules Verne was built in 1983. In 2007 the restaurant was completely renovated and is now helmed by renowned chef Alain Ducasse. Reservations can be made online or by telephone. Valet service is also available.

Tour Eiffel Address

• Avenue Gustave Eiffel
• 75007 Paris
• tel (+33) 1 45 55 61 44

http://www.lejulesverne-paris.com/

The buffets on the ground floor between the North and East Pillars and on the first and second floors are counters where the visitor can find a wide selection of snacks and beverages. The Buffets are open 9:30am to 11:30pm. http://www.restaurants-toureiffel.com/

A special tour of the Tower, known as Backstage at the Eiffel Tower, gives visitors a look behind the scenes at some of the history of the making of the Tower and the innovations that went into its operation. On this tour the visitor will see a replication of the hydraulic jacks that made the construction of the first floor possible, the original machinery that was used to control the operation of the elevators and a bunker that was hidden under the Champ de Mars among other things. A presentation of historical trivia is another exciting addition. Information and reservations for this tour can be found below.

• Email - contact@visitez-autrement.net
• website - www.visitez-autrement.net
• Tel - 08 25 05 44 05http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/

Some noteworthy facts about the Eiffel Tower:

• 324 meters tall (1,062 feet)
• 125 meters wide (410 feet)
• The Tower weights 10,100 tons, the iron structure alone is 7,300 tons
• It uses 336 600-watt projector lamps
• The East Pillar has 1,665 steps
• There are 2,500,000 rivets
• Five elevators, less the one solely for the Jules Verne, carry 650 to 1140 people per hour
• Approximately 720 people work at the Tower
• 2 tons of paper are used per year to print tickets
• The Tower has a Post Office
• The Tower was the highest building in the world until 1929 when the Chrysler Building in New York City was built.
• The Tower was built to be able to sway in the wind, sometimes as much as 18 centimeters.
• The first broadcast of French television in 1935 used the Tower's great antenna
• On September 11, 1889 Thomas Edison visited the Tower and dined with Gustave Eiffel
• The Tower is painted every 7 years and takes 25 painters 15 to 18 months using 60 tons of paint