There is perhaps no monument more synonymous with the city of Paris than the Eiffel Tower, standing 318 meters high - a hub of activity at its base and a breathtaking view from the top. The Eiffel Tower took two years, two months and five days to build, based on the drawings of engineers Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, and decorated by architect Stephen Sauvestre. The builder, Gustave Eiffel, had an office on the top level of the Tower, which was inaugurated on March 31, 1889. The Eiffel Tower was an important part of the Universal Exposition, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The festive atmosphere at the Eiffel Tower begins as you walk across the base to stand in line for tickets. Everywhere, souvenir vendors are hawking their wares, tourists are snapping photos and crowds are gathering - all beneath the enormous Tower, composed of some 2,500,000 rivets, 18,000 pieces of iron and weighing 10,100 tons. It's an impressive sight, even from the ground, and a must-see for a first-time visit to Paris. There are three separate floors to the Eiffel Tower, each offering something different for visitors. Unless you're in amazing physical shape, or have a penchant for stairs, take the elevator to the first floor (also goes to the second floor, where you switch elevators). You'll find several exhibits, including an original section of the spiral staircase used by Gustave Eiffel to reach the top when the Tower opened and the original hydraulic pump that powered the first elevator to run from the second floor to the top. New technology enhances experiences at the Cineiffel, complete with an electronic telescope and a cinema tracing the history and events involving the Tower. The Feroscope utilizes interactive videos, light shows and special glasses to tour the technical aspects of the construction. The second floor, where you switch elevators to the top, also has the Visitors Galaxy where the robot, Alias, helps visitors build a virtual Eiffel Tower. The upper level of this floor offers a good view of the city and the lower level has animated window scenes. A panoramic, double set of elevators takes visitors to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Gustave Eiffel's office is here, as are tables indicating the main sites in Paris and the direction and distance of the world's major cities. Dioramas mark the history of communications from this level. There are buffets on the ground level, level one and level two, the Altitude 95 restaurant is on the first floor and the Jules Verne restaurant for fine dining on the second floor is reached via private elevator. You'll find an exchange bureau and tourist office on the ground level and shops on levels one and two. You can even send mail with a special Paris Tour Eiffel postmark from the post office on level one. Admission: Stairs - 18 francs (for both children and adults), Elevator - Adults/ 22 francs for the first floor, 44 francs for the second floor and 62 francs for the top floor. Children under 12/ 13 francs for the first floor, 23 francs for the second floor and 32 francs for the top floor. Access is free for children under the age of three. For reservations to Altitude 95 call 33 (0) 1 45 55 20 04 and for reservations to Jules Verne call 33 (0) 1 45 55 61 44. All floors except for the top floor are handicapped accessible.
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