PARIS, France — The Eiffel Tower rises against a clear blue sky on a spring day in the French capital. The iconic wrought-iron lattice structure stands tall over the Champ de Mars, its distinctive silhouette a defining feature of the Parisian skyline.
Photograph by David Coleman. The Eiffel Tower, an enduring symbol of Paris and France, stands as a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering and architectural design. Constructed between 1887 and 1889 under the guidance of engineer Gustave Eiffel, the tower was created as the grand entrance arch for the 1889 World's Fair, commemorating the centennial of the French Revolution. Rising to a height of 324 meters (1,063 feet), the Eiffel Tower dominated the Parisian skyline upon its completion and held the title of the world's tallest man-made structure for 41 years. Its innovative design, utilizing wrought iron in a lattice pattern, allowed for a structure that was both incredibly strong and relatively light, weighing approximately 10,100 tons. The tower consists of three main levels accessible to visitors. The first two levels house restaurants, including the prestigious Jules Verne restaurant on the second level. The top level offers an observation deck with panoramic views of Paris extending up to 60 kilometers on clear days. At dusk, the Eiffel Tower transforms into a beacon of light over Paris, living up to the city's nickname, "The City of Light." The tower's illumination, which begins at sunset and continues until 1 am (2 am in summer), involves 336 projectors and 20,000 light bulbs. Every hour on the hour, a special light show featuring sparkling lights adds to the tower's nocturnal allure, lasting for five minutes. The tower's appearance has evolved over time, having been repainted numerous times. Currently, it wears a specially-designed color known as "Eiffel Tower Brown," applied every seven years using approximately 60 tons of paint. Beyond its role as a tourist attraction, the Eiffel Tower has served various practical functions throughout its history. It has been used as a radio transmission tower, a telegraphy station during World War I, and continues to house numerous communications antennas. As a cultural icon, the Eiffel Tower has featured prominently in
Size: 5026px × 3338px
Location: Eiffel Tower, Paris, Île-de-France, France
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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