But the south leg of the Eiffel Tower hides a particularly well-kept secret. Because for years it has housed a secret WWI military bunker. And indeed, it still does today… During the First World War, Paris was a strategic point within Europe.
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But did you know that there's also a “secret” military bunker still buried beneath, with an entrance near the south pillar? The bunker — which was not originally created to withstand army bombardments — was constructed in 1909 for the military telecommunications that took place from the Eiffel Tower.
When Gustave Eiffel designed his namesake tower, he included a private apartment for himself at the top, which is now available for the public to tour.
The Office's RecreationThis apartment, where Eiffel presumably never slept, has since become an area for technical facilities. Now available for the public to tour, it is a recreation of his office which exhibits wax sculptures of Gustave Eiffel, his daughter Claire, and Thomas Edison.
In the early 1930's, the Parisian authorities have decided to fit 40,000 underground shelters to protect the people if need be. Today, there are still plenty of unused bunkers under the city, under the Eiffel Tower, under the Gare de l'Est, and even under the Hôtel de Ville.
The third and final floor, accessible only by lift, welcomes visitors at an altitude of 276 metres. Again, telescopes are available to appreciate the stunning views of Paris. On this floor, don't miss the reconstitution of the office of Gustave Eiffel.
The Tower lights and beacon are lit up every evening from dusk until 11.45pm. As soon as it gets dark, the Eiffel Tower's golden lighting switches on automatically within less than 10 minutes, thanks to light-sensitive twilight sensors. Simply check an almanac to find out what time the monument will light up.
It is made of lattice-shaped wrought iron with 20,000 lights. The Eiffel Tower was built for $1.5M in 1889. If we inflation adjust this original cost using CPI, we get $44M. According to a 2012 study by the Chamber of Commerce of Monza and Brianza in northern Italy, it is worth $510 billion.
You can take the stairs from the bottom of the Eiffel Tower up to the 2nd Floor. That means exactly 674 steps! In total, there are 1665 steps from the esplanade up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but the stairway from the 2nd floor to the top is not open to the public.
This apartment, where Eiffel presumably never slept, has since become an area for technical facilities. Now available for the public to tour, it is a recreation of his office which exhibits wax sculptures of Gustave Eiffel, his daughter Claire, and Thomas Edison.
Sightsee from top to bottom.The tower has three levels with observation platforms, at roughly 200, 400, and 900 feet, all connected by elevators and stairs. But there isn't a single elevator straight to the top (le sommet). To get there, you'll first ride an elevator (or climb 775 steps) to the second level.
The Catacombs of Paris is an underground ossuary in Paris that houses the remains of nearly six million people. Back in 1786, the entire underground population of Paris' cemeteries was relocated to quarry tunnels outside the city limits. Visitors can now explore the caverns and tunnels where the bodies were relocated.
There is no charge to access the gardens and esplanade beneath the Eiffel Tower. All you need to do is go through the security checks at entry 1 or entry 2 of the Eiffel Tower, via the queue for visitors without tickets.
The Catacombs of Paris are not the oldest catacombs in the world, but they are the largest. Housing the skeletal remains of more than six million people, the catacombs are a massive underground labyrinth of death.
Night has its own beauty and visiting the Eiffel Tower during dusk is an exciting experience. It's far more relaxed. The view of the City of Lights all lit up for the evening is beautiful – like watching the stars on the Earth.
Necessary maintenance and renovation work is carried out every year at the top of the Eiffel Tower and on the elevators leading from the 2nd floor to the summit, resulting in the closing of this emblematic floor to the public.
The 2nd FloorYou will enjoy clear views of all of the French capital's monuments: the Louvre, Grand Palais, the bends in the Seine, Montmartre, Invalides, Notre Dame, etc. But the 2nd floor is also a treat for your taste buds with our Michelin-starred restaurant, the Jules Verne.
Up on the first floor of the Tower, the Madame Brasserie welcomes you every day, in a unique setting overlooking Paris, for lunch or refined dining in the evening. With stunning views of the capital and an open kitchen, the atmosphere here is warm, romantic, and fun!