Eiffel Tower Construction Begins
Construction began on the Eiffel Tower for the 1889 World's Fair
January 28, 1887
Paris's Most Controversial Landmark
The Eiffel Tower was completed on March 31, 1889, built as the entrance arch for the 1889 World's Fair in Paris, which celebrated the centennial of the French Revolution. Designed and built by Gustave Eiffel's engineering company, it stood 300 meters (984 feet) tall — making it the world's tallest man-made structure, surpassing the Washington Monument. Remarkably, it was built in just over two years with approximately 300 workers and not a single fatal accident. When complete, it was the tallest structure humans had ever built. Today, with its broadcast antenna, it stands 330 meters tall.
Loved, Hated, Then Beloved
The Eiffel Tower was deeply controversial when proposed. A petition signed by 300 prominent French artists and intellectuals called it a "blot" on the Paris skyline — a "giant black smokestack" that would disfigure the city. Critics called it the "iron lady" dismissively. It was designed to stand for only 20 years before being dismantled. It survived because it proved useful as a radio transmission tower. Over time, Parisians and visitors came to adore it. By the early 20th century, the tower that had been called an eyesore was considered one of the most beautiful structures on Earth — a complete reversal of public opinion.
An Enduring Symbol of France
The Eiffel Tower receives approximately seven million visitors per year, making it the most visited paid monument in the world. It has been the backdrop for some of history's most famous photographs and films. Its iron lattice construction — using 18,038 individual metallic parts held together by 2.5 million rivets — was an engineering marvel that influenced construction worldwide. It is repainted every seven years to protect against corrosion, consuming 60 tons of paint each time. Like the Empire State Building in New York, it began as a temporary structure and became permanent — and priceless.