The Eiffel Tower: A Truly Elegant Street Lamp

The Eiffel Tower is most certainly an impressive sight in Paris France worth getting close to. Take time to lie in the grass at theChamps de mars and gaze at the steel structure. Ascend the tower for spectacular views of Paris whatever you do don’t forget your camera. At least once but better twice on your stay, return at night with a bottle of Merlot and your lover to watch the spectacular light display. The Eiffel Tower tops out at over 1,000 feet, containing 2 restaurants, a souvenir shop, a post office (for that one of a kind postmark), snack bar, and a viewing area like no other you’ve ever seen.

The metal structure of the Eiffel Tower weighs 7,300 tonnes while the entire structure including non-metal components is approximately 10,000 tonnes. Depending on the ambient temperature, the top of the tower may shift away from the sun by up to 18 cm (7 in) because of thermal expansion of the metal on the side facing the sun.

The tower of Paris faced harsh criticism, especially from the artistic (imagine that) community of Paris, calling the structure a “truly tragic street lamp.” It is said that Guy de Maupassant ate lunch on the lower level of the Paris tower everyday because it was the only view of the city in which he couldn’t see it.  Apparently the Chefs were as skilled in the art of food preparation then as they are today. The critics grudgingly silenced their screeching criticisms as millions visitors ascended the tower 1889. Today, the Eiffel Tower is an icon of Paris, and is not only embraced by the city, but buy the world.