Back on my first real trip, while “backpacking” throughout Europe, a friend and I decided it was a good idea to climb the 674 steps to the second platform of the Eiffel Tower. We could have been lazy and taken the elevator, but nah, we decided that some burning in our legs was worthwhile. Until the next day that was, when we really felt the effect on our body.
So why did we decide to climb?
Well for one, it was cheaper. Back then, we were poor college students who could hardly afford three meals a day (we literally ate baguettes and gelato every chance we got, not that I’m complaining by any means.)
And secondly, it was a nice way to burn off some of those calories from all the carbs we were consuming on a daily basis. And let me tell you, despite our frugality, we managed to pack on the pounds throughout our trip.
And once we made it to the top, the views were to die for.
Some interesting facts about the most recognizable landmark of Paris:
The Eiffel Tower in Paris, nicknamed ‘The Iron Lady’, is considered to be the most-visited paid monument in the world.
The Eiffel Tower is painted every 7 years in 3 shades of brown, with the darkest shade at the bottom. Approximately 60 tons of paint is required to paint it.
Although it is impossible to imagine the city of Paris without the Eiffel tower today, it was widely criticized when it was built back in 1880s. In fact, people – including some prominent names from the art community of Paris, went to the extent of calling it an ‘eyesore’ and a ‘black blot’ on the picturesque landscape of the city.
9441 tons of wrought iron were used to build this monstrosity.
The names of 72 prominent French scientists and famous personalities are affixed on the sides of Eiffel Tower just beneath the first platform, 18 names per side.
In clear weather, which is seldom seen nowadays, you can see approximately 42 miles from the top of the Eiffel Tower. During gusty winds, the Eiffel Tower sways up to 15 cm at its summit.
Victor Lustig, a con artist notorious for his scams all over the world, posed as the deputy director-general of the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs, and sold the Eiffel Tower to scrap dealer – Andre Poisson, citing that the city could not afford the maintenance of this structure anymore. Lustig is widely known as ‘The man who sold the Eiffel Tower. Twice.’, today.
Have you ever climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower?
Did your legs burn just as much as mine?!
You are the first E post I have come across. I would love to see it. I would definitely take the stairs even if I could afford it. You probably got to see much more.Dropping by from the A to Z Challenge. It's my first year.Brett MinorTransformed Nonconformist
yea it was a great way to experience my first time in paris! and walking up wasn't as bad as it seems! all those stairs seem like a lot, but the views are amazing so you don't mind it as much.
When I brought my (at the time) 60-year-old mother to Paris in July, 2007 – the lines at the Eiffel tower were so insane, we decided to walk up. It was a bit more than we bargained for, but we made it, and even still, probably quicker than waiting in the elevator line!
the lines were terrible for us too! another reason to walk up! plus the views were unbeatable!
I have never been to Paris so I haven't climbed to the top of Eiffel tower. But I climbed all the way to the top of St Paul's Cathedral in London and it did burn my legs. The view was breathtaking but the climb was rather claustrophobic !
we climbed up the notre dame too and that climb was super claustrophobic too! I would love to climb up the cathedral in london! maybe next time I go! 🙂
Nice post! It has been some time since I went to Paris. I should probably start thinking about revisiting it.I see we have both been bitten by that travel bug… If you ever run out of travel ideas you are very welcome to check out my travel blog.Also if you by any chance find yourself in Slovenia and need some local advice be sure to drop me a line.Keep travelling, have fun and don't stop blogging about it!
checked out your blog- awesome site! I too would love to get myself back to Paris, such an awesome city and I was only able to see so much.
Fantastic … been in Paris so many times, but only been up in the tower once … I'm surprised that nobody takes photos of all the fountains on the other side of the tower, they are so stunning a full garden of them. Admire that you walked up .. well done. Great post and fantastic photo gallery. I wish you good luck with the challenge.
Thanks so much for the kind words! And yes, I patted myself on the back once I got to the top! But the views from the top were so worth it. Plus, we walked off a few baguettes we had eaten earlier that day!
I've walked up all those steps, but it's definitely worth it when you see the view 😀
I 100% agree! It was kind of hard, I'll admit, but totally worth the gorgeous views!
I took the elevator! Your photos are so pretty…the day I went, it was raining and foggy, so we could hardly see the ground below, much less 42 miles away! Bummer. But still, we were in Paris — nothing to be sad about! Katie at AdventuringAtHome
Paris is gorgeous no matter the weather! But that just means you'll have to go back and hope for beautiful weather! And next time you go, walk up! 🙂 You won't be disappointed!
Awesome pictures as usual. You guys got some great weather for the day you were there. ElliotWe Are Adventure
Thanks so much! We did, we got super lucky with the weather!
Thanks for dropping by my blog. I am glad you like it!Yes, you can also find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Travel.PB
great- I'll like your page soon! 🙂
I'm really enjoying your posts and pics. Thanks for dropping by my Blog. A month of Blog…
Thanks so much! More posts and photos to come- come on back! haha!
You have some really great pictures and some fun facts that I didn't know. When I visited we took the elevator- mostly because it was freezing cold but also because it's so open and exposed and I was a bit of chicken.
Taking the stairs really weren't all that bad, but if it was freezing cold, I would most likely take the elevator too! Those facts are fun, right!?
Hi, I'm a fellow a-z blogger. I love Paris and have been up the Eiffel Tower twice now (I'm afraid I cheated and got the elevator). The views are gorgeous, Paris is an amazing city, so romantic and lots of great restaurants and cafes. Love all the facts you have included.http://designsbyrow.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the nice words! I too love Paris! I wish I could go back tomorrow! But am hoping to go back next year, hopefully! 🙂 Can't wait to eat more baguettes!
How I love the Eiffel Tower!! Been several times and climbed a few too. 😉 Great E post!Stopping by through A to Z.. .www.diaryofasquaretoothedgirl.blogspot.com
Thanks, I'll definitely check out your blog soon! So glad you climbed up too! First one besides me who commented! 🙂
Hi:Stopping in with A-Z and I love your blog. I'm a fellow travel junkie! I haven't climbed the Eiffel Tower, but I did do the Tower at Notre Dame Cathedral. Felt the burn but it was worth it for the views.I'll be checking in again!Faye at Destination: Fiction
I also climbed up the Notre Dame! I especially loved this climb because the views at the top were unbeatable- with the Eiffel Tower in the view! 🙂 Got some great pictures, which I'll hopefully be sharing soon! Check back often, I'll have more and more travel posts up as the time goes on! 🙂
Thank you for sharing this. I love to travel and have been stuck in one place for far too long. Although I was in France, I never did make it to Paris, but I hope to one day.Have fun with a-z.
I have been stuck in one place too long! Although I just got back from New Orleans, I always have itchy feet! Go to Paris, you wont be disappointed- I promise you! 🙂
I also opted to climb up the Eiffel Tower when I went. I took many pictures from the top and almost dropped my camera (a heart-stopping moment if ever there was one!). I met one of my friends-for-life there, she was on a trip from America with her mum and in the queue in front of me and my mum.I'm also doing the a to z challenge. Good luck!
Yay so glad you decided to climb as well! And so glad you didn't drop your camera- that would be so sad to lose all your precious pictures! What an awesome story about how you met your best friend!
We too climbed up the Eiffel Tower–not so much to save money but to skip the lines!! We were there in August, when the Parisians had all left but the rest of the Europeans descended onto the city! We had a four-year-old in tow, and my husband did end up carrying him part of the way. I agree–the views are worth the climb!
My next weekend escape is going to be Paris, I've been there two times already and I took the elevator as we didn't have so much time.Shere from http://www.shereypaul.com
A good post about your personal experience and interesting facts of the Eiffel Tower. I've taken an elevator to the top. I love Paris. There are so many sights to visit, that going to the same sight more than once feels like a waste of time 🙂 May be next time I will climb it…
I'm ashamed to say I took the lift. But I was so wobbly from the height I don't think my legs would have carried me up! Did you hear about the woman who actually 'married' the Eiffel Tower after 'having a relationship' with the Berlin Wall?! Just another fact to add to your list 🙂