France’s Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. When you see it appear on the Paris skyline it’s almost a surreal moment. Rising up, proud and noble, La Tour Eiffel was built by the engineering firm headed by Gustave Eiffel in 1889. Over the course of two years, two months and five days Eiffel and his associates constructed the emblematic symbol to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution and also as the centerpiece for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. Vive La France!

La Tour Eiffel welcomes around seven million visitors every year. More than 300 million people have climbed the tower since it first came to grace the City of Light 133 years ago.The wrought iron and lattice tower looms nearly 1,100 feet above the Seine and is the second tallest structure in France (without the transmitters atop the peak) and the tallest in Paris.

But the Iron Lady, as she is affectionately called in Paris, is more than just a fine example of French engineering and architecture. She’s an inspiration and representation of the Parisian life to which she’s borne witness for more than a century. There’s so much interesting history and even some cool trivia surrounding the Eiffel Tower we thought we would share it with our friends.

Gustave Eiffel is Not the Designer

Gustave Eiffel was not, as is often presumed, the designer of the tower that bears his name. Eiffel gained naming rights but in fact two of his firm’s associates, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier drew up the original design from their own ideas and collaborated with French architect Stephen Sauvestre to come up with the plans, which they submitted to a contest to choose the main attraction for the upcoming World’s Fair.

Secret Rooms

Beyond naming rights, Gustave Eiffel designed his own private apartment within the structure. Eiffel hosted several individuals of some esteem including the American inventor Thomas Edison. These days the “secret” apartment is open for the public to tour.

Another “secret room” within the tower is a bunker beneath the south pillar. It’s been said that the bunker is connected, via tunnel, to the Ecole Militaire, the complex of buildings in Paris where there are several French military training facilities. Today the bunker is home to a museum open to tourists.

Not really secret, but little known, within the Tower is a small post office. Located on the first floor, amid the souvenir and gift shops you’ll find a very tiny station from which to purchase a stamp and send mail with a very unique postmark.

A Play for Permanence

Although the Tower was erected to showcase France’s industrial expertise at the World’s Fair there were plans in place at the time to demolish the Tower after 20 years. But, our man Gustave Eiffel placed a radio antenna and a wireless telegraph transmitter  inside the Tower. The French government finally recognized the Tower’s usefulness thanks to clever Mr. Eiffel.

Almost got destroyed in the war

During the second World War Hitler declared that the Tower be torn down. This order was never carried out. And, as German occupation strengthened French Resistance fighters cut the cables to the elevators that carried visitors up the Tower. The German soldiers were forced to climb the stairs in order to raise their flag.

Advancing Science Within the Eiffel Tower

There are many surprises within this historical structure. Tucked into the Tower’s third floor there is a meteorology lab where Eiffel conducted studies in aerodynamics and physics. There is even a wind tunnel in the lab. But Mr. Eiffel didn’t keep this remarkable laboratory to himself. He opened his facility to others interested in scientific experimentation. In fact, the phenomenon known as cosmic rays was discovered in the lab within the Eiffel Tower.

And speaking of weather, although the tower is built from 7,500 tons of iron, the wind resistant structure will move during a particularly intense storm. And when the heat is on the sun’s warmth causes the iron to expand up to seven inches.

And speaking of science, it’s widely known that the celebrated scientists and engineers of 19th century France have lent their names to streets around Paris. To further enduring fame 72 of these celebrities of science and engineering had their names engraved on the Eiffel Tower. Though the names were covered for decades, restoration of the Tower uncovered these tributes. Look closely and you’ll see such notable names as Perrier, Foucault and Dumas, to name a few.

The Lady’s American Kin

The Iron Lady is a close, younger relative of the US’s own Lady Liberty. A few years prior to construction of the Tower Eiffel and his firm were tasked with designing the frame of the Statue of Liberty. Eiffel’s associate, the aforementioned Maurice Koechlin oversaw the project, proving himself and his team worthy of the Eiffel Tower project.

Oh How She Sparkles

The Iron Lady endures a makeover every seven years. Painters apply about 60 tons of paint preventing the Tower from rusting. This schedule was laid out by Gustave Eiffel himself and followed ever since. Eiffel determined this the best way to preserve the structure and provide continuous protection from the elements.

The Tower lights up every night from sunset to 11:45 p.m. There are 20,000 small lights and 425 large golden spotlights. The spotlights are cleaned and maintained every four years. A team of 43 technicians tend the lights of the Tower. On certain occasions the lights of the tour are changed in recognition of different events. On Chinese New Year in 2004 the tower glowed red, in 2006 when France hosted the Rugby World Cup the lights glowed green to represent a Rugby pitch (playing area). In honor of France’s European Union Presidency the Tower displayed the Union’s colors of blue with 12 gold stars.

Bubbly at The Top

And once you get to the top of the tower you can reward yourself with a glass of France’s favorite potable, champagne. Built into the top floor of the Eiffel Tower is a Champagne Bar where you may treat yourself as you enjoy the magnificent view.

Often Imitated But Never Duplicated

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and the work of Eiffel and his associates is a much-flattered, celebrated and replicated structure. To date there are ten such structures. One has to wonder if the smaller version of the Tower in Lyon served as inspiration for Eiffel’s eponymous Tower. And five years after Paris’s iconic tower first stood the townspeople of coastal Blackpool, England felt moved to erect their own, half the size of the original. Tokyo has a slightly taller version and Tianducheng, China, a city that was supposed to be a replica of The City of Lights, has its own Eiffel Tower.

You can find replicas of the Eiffel Tower in Pakistan, Romania, Australia and even the Grecian town of Filiatra where its version is the major tourist attraction in an otherwise small and quiet burg. Of course in the US we also have a few reproductions. A half-sized version of the original (along with a small scale replica of the Arc de Triomphe and the Louver) towers above the entrance to the Paris Las Vegas hotel and casino and in the cities of Paris, Tennessee as well as Paris, Texas you’ll find copies of the Paris, France original. Note that the tower in Paris, Texas is adorned with a cowboy hat to ensure it’s taller than the one in Tennessee.