INSIDE: Roam the Gnome’s Epic List of Fabulous Eiffel Tower Facts for Kids!
The best thing we’ve learned from our travels is that is pays to find out some fun facts about the places you will visit BEFORE you go.
Knowing a few fun facts beforehand changes everything.
It brings the place alive to us, and makes the whole experience so much more interesting.
We visited the Eiffel Tower a few years ago, and these are the Eiffel Tower facts for kids we found out!
Take a look at these interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower.
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Image credit: Alessandro Traini via Flickr CC BY-2.0
FAMILY GUIDE TO EIFFEL TOWER WITH KIDS
First up.
If you are planning a trip to Paris, and want all the details of what to do and what to see at the Eiffel tower, take a look at our guide below.
RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to the Eiffel Tower for Kids – 9 Helpful Tips for Taking Kids Up
THE EIFFEL TOWER FACTS FOR KIDS LIST
Here’s a list of both known and unknown facts about Eiffel Tower in France. You’ll find both Eiffel Tower facts and history of le tour Eiffel.
Plus, we’ll answer questions such as:
- What purpose does the Eiffel Tower serve
- Why was the Eiffel Tower built in Paris
- What are some lesser known facts about the Eiffel Tower?
No.1: What is an Eiffel tower?
The Eiffel Tower is a wrought iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France.
No.2: Who designed the Eiffel tower?
Gustave Eiffel’s company designed and built the tower.
NEW: Why was the Eiffel Tower built?
It was built for the Exposition Universelle.
No.3: Why it the Eiffel Tower called Eiffel?
It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, as above.
Image credit: Mitch Barrie via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0
No.4: What year was the Eiffel tower built?
The Eiffel Tower was constructed from 1887–89 as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair.
The design was chosen to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution.
At first, it was highly criticized by some of France’s leading artists and intellectuals for its design, but it has become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognisable structures in the world.
No.5: When was the Eiffel tower completed?
The Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889.
That’s more than 130 years ago.
Image credit: Jorge Lascar via Flickr CC BY-2.0
No.6: When did the Eiffel Tower open?
The Eiffel Tower opened on 31st March 1889
No.7: How old is the Eiffel Tower?
In 2020, the Eiffel Tower celebrates a birthday of being 131 years old.
Image credit: Public Domain
No.8: What is the height of the Eiffel Tower?
324 metres tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building.
The top level’s upper platform is 276 m (906 ft) above the ground – the highest observation deck accessible to the public in the European Union.
Image credit: Guilhem Vellut via Flickr CC BY-2.0
No.9: How tall is the Eiffel Tower in metres?
The Eiffel tower construction is 324 metres tall.
It’s the tallest structure in France.
No.10: How tall is the Eiffel Tower in feet?
The Eiffel Tower height is 1,063 ft tall.
NEW: How much does the Eiffel Tower weigh?
300 tons.
No.11:What is the Eiffel Tower nickname?
The French have a nickname for the tower: La Dame de Fer, meaning, “the Iron Lady.”
The Eiffel Tower in French is La Tour Eiffel.
People spell it:
- Eiffle Tower
- The Eifel Tower
- The Effiel Tower
Image credit: Erik Drost via Flickr CC BY-2.0
No.12: Does the Eiffel Tower have an elevator?
Yes.
There is an elevator inside the Eiffel Tower.
Tickets can be purchased to ascend by stairs OR lift (elevator) to the first and second levels.
BUY NOW: Eiffel Tower Tickets – Priority Access to Second Floor
Image credit: Lauren Irons via Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0
NO.13: How many stairs does the Eiffel Tower have?
The climb from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, as a bit more than that on the climb from the first level to the second.
When you get to the first floor, you can walk out onto the glass floor suspended 57 meters above the ground!
There’s 704 steps in total to the second floor.
Although there is a staircase to the top level, it is usually only accessible by lift.
BOOK NOW: Eiffel Tower Stair Climb to 2nd Floor with Summit Option
Image credit: Richard Allaway via Flickr CC BY-2.0
No.14: How many people have visited the Eiffel Tower since it opened?
Almost 250 million visitors of every age and origin have come from all over the planet to see it since its opening in 1889.
As France’s most iconic symbol in the world, and the showcase of Paris, today it welcomes almost 7 million people a year (around 75% of whom are foreigners).
This makes it the most visited monument that you have to pay for in the world.
No.15: Why is it illegal to take a video of the Eiffel Tower at night?
Here’s an interesting piece of info.
It IS actually ILLEGAL to take photos or video of the Eiffel Tower at night!
The light display is actually a copyrighted art installation created in 1985 and still owned by artist Pierre Bideau.
That’s about it for our Eiffel Tower fun facts!
Image credit: Harshlight via Flickr CC BY-2.0
No.16: What is the life expectancy of the Eiffel Tower?
With ongoing maintenance, this structure will be around forever.
Regular painting by a crew of painters who work slowly, brushstroke after brushstroke by hand, takes place to stave off rust build up from pollution and bird droppings.
No.17: Is there a flat in the Eiffel Tower
There IS a secret apartment at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Gustave Eiffel created this special place and kept it a closely guarded secret, with only very few special guests allowed in.
Take a look inside here.
No.18: What popular sights can be seen from the Eiffel Tower
Lots of popular Parisian tourist attractions including:
- Montmartre
- Arc de triomphe
- Les champs de mars
- The river Seine
- River Seine bridges
- Notre dame
- Louvre Museum
No. 19: Who currently owns the Eiffel tower
The Council of Paris owns the Eiffel Tower.
The structure has been owned by the City of Paris since its construction.
It is managed by the development company, SETE: Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel.
More Facts about Eiffel Tower?
Do you know any more fun facts about the Eiffel Tower for Kids?
Email [email protected] and we’ll add them.
Eiffel Tower Map
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Are you planning a visit to the Eiffel Tower?
Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in Euro, unless otherwise stated
If so, you’ll need the Ultimate Guide to the Eiffel Tower (click on the link at top of the page above)
Souvenir Shopping at Eiffel Tower
It includes a list of what to buy at the Eiffel tower & the best Eiffel Tower souvenirs for kids.
Plus, everything you’ll need to know before you visit the Eiffel Tower with kids.
You must go, at least once in your life.
Have fun!
Looking for MORE SUPER DOOPER FUN things to do with Kids in Paris?
Click the links in blue below for more Paris fun.