Eiffel Tower Paris Collectible Wrist Watch. Montre de Bracelet. La Tour Eiffel

The Eiffel Tower (French: La Tour Eiffel, [tuʁ ɛfɛl]) is an iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. Erected in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair, it has become both a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is the tallest structure in Paris^[10] and the most-visited paid monument in the world; 7.1 million people ascended it in 2011. The third level observatory's upper platform is at 279.11 m (915.7 ft) the highest accessible to the public in the European Union. The tower received its 250 millionth visitor in 2010.

The tower stands 324 metres (1,063 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to assume the title of the tallest man-made structure in the world; the Eiffel Tower held the title for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built in 1930. Because of the addition of the antenna atop the Eiffel Tower in 1957, it is now taller than the Chrysler Building by 17 feet (5.2 m). Not including broadcast antennas, it is the second-tallest structure in France, after the Millau Viaduct.

The tower has three levels for visitors. Tickets can be purchased to ascend, by stairs or lift (elevator), to the first and second levels. The walk from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the walk from the first to the second level. The third and highest level is accessible only by lift—stairs do exist but are usually closed to the public. The first and second levels have restaurants.

The tower has become the most prominent symbol of both Paris and France, often in the establishing shot of films set in the city.

Eiffel Tower
La Tour Eiffel
The Eiffel Tower as seen from the Champ de Mars
Record height
Tallest in the world from 1889 to 1930[I]
General information
Type	Observation tower, Radio broadcastingtower
Location	Paris, France
Coordinates	48.8583°N 2.2945°E
Construction started	1887
Completed	1889
Opening	31 March 1889
Height
Antenna spire	324.00 m (1,063 ft)
Roof	300.65 m (986 ft)
Top floor	273.00 m (896 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	3
Lifts/elevators	9
Design and construction
Owner	City of Paris, France
Management	Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE)
Architect	Stephen Sauvestre
Structural engineer	Maurice Koechlin, Émile Nouguier
Main contractor	Compagnie des Etablissements Eiffel