Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Eiffel Tower: 40 Fascinating Facts (Inaugurated March 31, 1889)
Telegraph.co.uk ^ | 03/31/2014 | Oliver Smith, and Tom Metcalf

Posted on 03/31/2014 12:39:50 AM PDT by goldstategop

1. Completed on March 31, 1889, the tower was the world’s tallest man-made structure for 41 years until the completion of the Chrysler Building in New York in 1930.

2. It is 324 metres tall (including antennas) and weighs 10,100 tonnes.

3. It was the tallest structure in France until the construction of a military transmitter in the town of Saissac in 1973. The Millau Viaduct, completed in 2004, is also taller, at 343 metres.

4. It is possible to climb to the top, but there are 1,665 steps. Most people take the lift.

5. The lifts travel a combined distance of 103,000 km a year – two and a half times the circumference of the Earth.

6. Victor Lustig, a con artist, "sold" the tower for scrap metal on two separate occasions.

7. During cold weather the tower shrinks by about six inches.

8. Gustave Eiffel, the engineer and architect behind the tower, was also involved in a disastrous attempt by the French to build a canal in Panama, and his reputation was badly damaged by the failure of the venture.

9. Eiffel also designed interior elements of the Statue of Liberty.

10. He died while listening to Beethoven's 5th symphony.

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 125years; birthday; eiffeltower; france; telegraph
Gustave Eiffel's most famous work - the Eiffel Tower today celebrates 125th birthday! In its day it was the greatest engineering feat Europe ever saw and since has become identified as the global cultural icon of Paris and by extension of France. Here are a selection of little known facts about it and its renowned creator. And of course any Eiffel Tower thread is worthless without pics:



1 posted on 03/31/2014 12:39:50 AM PDT by goldstategop
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: goldstategop

I walked up the steps and had drinks at Jules Verne.

Awesome experience.


2 posted on 03/31/2014 12:47:31 AM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTvEkvqN_CA


3 posted on 03/31/2014 1:14:54 AM PDT by LeoWindhorse
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Vendome
I got to see a sunset from the top. A once in a lifetime experience, one I will never forget. We took the lift, I was not in the mood to walk all the steps. Paris was a nasty armpit, but the rest of France was very nice.
4 posted on 03/31/2014 2:07:28 AM PDT by DYngbld (I have read the back of the Book and we WIN!!!! (this post approved by the NSA))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop

I believe the Eiffel Tower is also responsible for the height limitation on buildings in the area, similar to that in Washington.


5 posted on 03/31/2014 2:46:42 AM PDT by ken5050 (I fear a world run by adults who were never spanked as kids and got trophies just for participating)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DYngbld

I took a girlfriend to Paris some years ago.

We spent the sunset sharing chocolate dipped strawberries, sipping champagne, during sunset and enjoying a wonderful walk along the River Seine.

Afterwards we took in the views from the National Arts, Embassy Row and paused at The Arc De Triumph, while back at the Eiffel tower, as the lights shone during a fantastic evening.

We topped the evening off with drinks at the Ritz at Place Vendôme..

We retired to our suite, The Chopan Room and well, what a fantastic experience, with two adults who were firing every bit of adrenaline during a few hours of love, before restfully and relaxing play.

The next day we visited Scare Coure.

The beauty of Scare Coure and the vista views gave rise to snuggling , warm hugs and our spirits elevated by the whole experience.

Looking forward to returning next year, with another girlfriend

I want have breakfast at The Tuleries and imagine it will be a wonderful time.

Yeah, I’m giving TMI but, just reflecting on the experience , I want to share a very memorable experience.

I will stay at the Four Seasons, my favorite hotel.

Getting relaxed just thinking bout it.

Bonus will be taking home bags of The Seasons soaps and body lotion, by BulgarI.

Thnx for reading my long story.


6 posted on 03/31/2014 2:56:04 AM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf20Effo6ds&feature=kp


7 posted on 03/31/2014 3:19:39 AM PDT by struggle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop

A round, straight-sided cylinder tall enough and broad enough completely contain the Eiffel Tower will contain more air by weight than the weight of the iron tower itself.


8 posted on 03/31/2014 4:53:22 AM PDT by muir_redwoods (When I first read it, " Atlas Shrugged" was fiction)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Vendome

Sacre Couer......


9 posted on 03/31/2014 4:55:25 AM PDT by Rummyfan (Iraq: it's not about Iraq anymore, it's about the USA!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan

Coeur... sorry!


10 posted on 03/31/2014 4:56:41 AM PDT by Rummyfan (Iraq: it's not about Iraq anymore, it's about the USA!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop

since completion, France has rested on Eiffel’s laurels and never attempted to surpass them.

France or rather Paris is stuck in Eiffel Tower hell


11 posted on 03/31/2014 5:07:03 AM PDT by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... History is a process, not an event)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Vendome
It is a place where those sort of memories are made, for certain. I hope your upcoming visit will be as indelible an experience as the last.

My wife and I have also walked along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and been to Jules Verne, the banks of the Seine - and Montmartre as well. I think the latter is her favorite part of the city (and probably mine, too - though I also love the permanent market streets like Rue Cler).
If we get an opportunity to return, The Four Seasons is on our wish list.

12 posted on 03/31/2014 5:31:50 AM PDT by Charles Martel (Endeavor to persevere...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Vendome
Bonus will be taking home bags of The Seasons soaps and body lotion, by BulgarI

oh bring me some! ; ) the Ritz no longer gives BvgarI lotions, soaps etc. and if i am not mistaken the Four Seasons in Las Vegas stopped giving that one as well. Your girlfriend is very lucky, that sounds like a wonderful trip and a wonderful memory.

13 posted on 03/31/2014 5:35:43 AM PDT by xsmommy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: ken5050

Hard to believe the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in all of France for almost 100 years ( 84 yrs to be exact) when some military transmitter was built.

Been up to the top twice aaaaaaahhhhh C’est la vie

If I go again perhaps I can find one of Vendome’s discarded girlfriends :)


14 posted on 03/31/2014 10:21:43 AM PDT by A'elian' nation ("Political Correctness does not legislate tolerance; it only organizes hatred." Jacques Barzun)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Charles Martel

Drinking morning coffee on Avenue des Champs-Élysées on my first morning in Paris, only 15 minutes passed before somebody I knew came walking down the street.


15 posted on 03/31/2014 10:32:21 AM PDT by lonestar (It takes a village of idiots to elect a village idiot.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: xsmommy

Been two years since I stayed at Four Seasons so they may have stopped.


16 posted on 03/31/2014 12:26:29 PM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: xsmommy

Just saw you wrote Four Seasons LV.

I stopped staying there around 2006.

The rooms had an odd odor, as if the kitchen grease wafted all the way through Mandalay.

Been staying at Aria and Palazzo.

There’s some new place, the name escapes me but, my friends love it.

The suite at Palazzo is fine by me but, I’d like to try the bungalows next time.

Really not interested in rubbing shoulders on the elevator anymore and trying to get to my room pisses me off when they are busy, due to events.

Sometimes the badged mall cops can’t see my pass and hold me until I get short and tell em where I’m going.

The bungalows just seem like a better idea and way more relaxing before I go to sleep and upon waking. Plus, bungalows receive very good service.

I just want to go to dinner, see a show, enjoy a drink in a quite area and then go to my room with no hassles.

I stayed in the bungalows behind Bellagio and it was great.

Very much on par with the private service and exclusive restaurant at Four Seasons on Doheney.


17 posted on 03/31/2014 1:06:55 PM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: xsmommy

BTW, I don’t mean to imply the restaurant at FS Doheney is great.

It’s not. It’s fine if I’m tired.


18 posted on 03/31/2014 1:09:07 PM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson