Mention Paris to travellers and the first attraction they think of will probably be Eiffel Tower. Some photographs of the 10.000-tonnes steel construction towering 324 metres above the street level look like they have just walked out of Jules Verne's imaginary world. Images of Eiffel Tower are everywhere: in tourist brochures, on postcards, T-shirts. Miniature Eiffel Tower is one of the best selling souvenirs in Paris. You can get it at every souvenir shop or (cheaper) from illegal street vendors, mainly from Africa, spreading their goods on the pavements while constantly watching out for police patrols.
Eiffel Tower is such a praised and overrated Paris attraction that when you actually see that monstrous steel construction, you might be slightly disappointed. Frankly Eiffel Tower isn't the prettiest structure in the world, at least during daytime. It looks much nicer illuminated at night. Most Parisians apparently agree that Eiffel Tower is not that beautiful. They like to tell a joke about a gentleman who hated Eiffel Tower from the bottom of his soul and yet he had lunch in Jules Verne restaurant, right there at the Eiffel Tower, every day.
'But why?' his friends asked.
'Because this is about the only place in Paris from where this ugly duckling can't be seen!'
Nevertheless, let you be the judge of Eiffel Tower's beauty. Whatever your decision, it is the fact that the Eiffel Tower brings tourists and money to Paris. Who wouldn't want to take a cheesy vacation photo with the Eiffel Tower in the background?
Eiffel Tower was built for the World Exhibition in 1889 according to the design by Gustav Eiffel. The tower was completed in two years, two months and five days. You can ascend Eiffel Tower either by an elevator or via a staircase. The highest platform offers great panoramic views of Paris - sans Eiffel Tower.
Location: Champ de Mars. Metro: Bir Hakeim. Web (opening times, entrance fees etc.): www.tour-eiffel.fr
Eiffel tower map
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