When most people think of Paris, the image that first comes to mind is the city’s most iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower. Growing up in northern Minnesota, I have long admired the architectural beauty of another engineering marvel, the Aerial Lift Bridge, a 138 foot tall steel bridge connecting the city of Duluth, Minnesota to a strip of land called Minnesota Point. I’ve probably walked around or across it hundreds of times, and it still gives me an effervescent feeling of awe every time I visit. I always imagined the Eiffel Tower would be similarly stunning (and about 7 times taller), however international travel, except to Canada, was not a part of my childhood.
This summer, my dream of visiting the Eiffel Tower finally came true. In celebration of our 20th wedding anniversary on July 14 (Bastille Day, or Fête Nationale as it’s called in France), my husband and I took a 2-week trip to Paris with our daughter. The Eiffel Tower was one of our first stops, and it was every bit as spectacular as I expected it to be.
The Eiffel Tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who had designed the interior structure of the Statue of Liberty less than a decade prior. The tower was to serve as the grand entrance to the 1889 Paris World’s Fair, coinciding with the 100th Anniversary of the French Revolution. Construction began in 1887 and was completed in just over two years, a remarkable feat for such a unique and enormous structure. Despite its eventual fame, the Eiffel Tower was not well-received as it was being built, and public outrage actually forced construction to halt completely mid-project. Only by his own substantial financial contributions was Eiffel able to complete the tower, which explains why he decided against naming it La Tour Paris and named it after himself, instead.
When it opened to the public, the tower impressed, as Eiffel knew it would. At over 1,000 feet it was the tallest structure in the world at the time, surpassing the previous record-holder, the Washington Monument, by nearly double. With three viewing decks and hydraulic elevators to carry visitors between, it was a prime example of innovation and industrial ingenuity. Visitors (and money) poured in, and Eiffel easily recouped his investment. However, despite its popularity, the tower was only to be temporary, and Eiffel knew he needed to devise an alternative use to justify its preservation. He cleverly organized multiple scientific partnerships, including a meteorology laboratory and observatory at the summit of the tower. But the fact that the tower made a perfect perch for telecommunications antennas proved to be the most convincing reason to save it from demolition.
Today the tower remains one of Paris’ most popular tourist attractions, both day and night. From sunset to 11 pm 20,000 twinkling lights illuminate it at the top of each hour for lucky onlookers. Each year a spectacular fireworks show is guaranteed for Fête Nationale, and occasionally for other special events.
On the first deck of the tower, the views aren’t particularly remarkable, except for the fact that it is Paris and all views are incredible. But I think the more interesting feature of the first floor is the transparent glass flooring toward the center, which allows visitors to safely experience the butterflies-in-your-stomach sensation of hovering several stories above the ground.
Panoramic views of the city are most impressive on the second deck.
The summit contains the smallest deck and most dizzying views. City landmarks are hazy, but it is a breathtaking experience, akin to standing atop a nearly 80 story building.
Eiffel himself had an office at the summit, which he accessed by a winding spiral staircase from the second deck. Amazingly, there are even (tiny) public restrooms at the summit, as well as a small refreshment counter where visitors can purchase a celebratory glass of champagne. Oui, oui! A trip to the summit of the Eiffel Tower is something to celebrate, indeed.
Back on the ground, inscribed around the base of the Eiffel Tower are the names of 72 prominent scientists, with 18 names per side. Notably missing are the names of any women, as French custom (and law) at the time prohibited their inclusion, despite their influence and contributions.
Ironically, were it not for one pioneering female mathematician’s influential theory of elasticity in physics in the early 1800s, the Eiffel Tower quite literally would not have stood the test of time. Or at all. Sophie Germain, a brilliant, self-educated mathematician, came of age during the French Revolution, teaching herself advanced mathematics with books from her father’s library. Because of gender discrimination at the time she submitted coursework and correspondence with other mathematicians using a male pseudonym. Despite her remarkable and award-winning achievements, she put the advancement of mathematics and scientific theory above her own ego, going uncredited for her many contributions. Her theories on elasticity were crucial for the engineering calculations that ensured the structural integrity of the tower’s ironwork and its ability to resist being toppled by the wind.
Sophie Germain
Though Eiffel was prohibited from acknowledging her contributions by including her name on the tower itself, according to our tour guide, Eiffel coined the nickname for the tower, “The Iron Lady,” as an homage to Germain.
Announced in 2025, Paris now has plans to add the names of 72 female scientists to the Eiffel Tower, just above the names of the men. The additions are expected to be complete by 2027, and will include the name of Sophie Germain.
Take a walk with Birkenstock.
