An icon of engineering, a symbol of romance, and the unmistakable emblem of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is arguably the most famous landmark in the world. Originally constructed as the monumental entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, it was a radical statement of modern design and industrial prowess that was initially met with artistic scorn. Yet, this graceful lattice of wrought iron would go on to capture the world’s imagination, becoming a beloved symbol of French culture and ingenuity. Standing at 330 meters (1,083 feet) on the Champ de Mars, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of Paris and remains an architectural marvel and a global beacon of art, adventure, and history.

Name and Location

• Name: Eiffel Tower (French: La Tour Eiffel).
• Location: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France.

How to Get There

Located in the heart of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is extremely well-served by public transportation.

• By Métro: The most common way to arrive. Line 9 (Trocadéro station) offers a classic view from across the river, Line 6 (Bir-Hakeim station) is very close, and Line 8 (École Militaire station) provides a scenic approach through the Champ de Mars park.
• By RER Train: Line C (Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel station) is the closest train station.
• By Bus: Several city bus lines stop near the tower.
• By Boat: The Batobus river shuttle service has a stop (“Tour Eiffel”) directly on the Seine River below the tower.

Landscape and Architecture

The tower’s design was revolutionary for its time, and its setting is one of the most famous urban landscapes in the world.

• Architectural Style & Design: Designed by engineers Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, with principal architect Stephen Sauvestre, from the firm of Gustave Eiffel. The structure is a masterpiece of wrought-iron lattice construction. Composed of 18,038 individual iron parts fastened with 2.5 million rivets, its open framework was designed to be incredibly strong yet lightweight, capable of withstanding wind forces—a revolutionary concept at the time.
• The Four Arches: The tower rests on four massive piers, which are anchored by enormous concrete foundations. The piers are connected by monumental arches that serve no structural purpose but were added by Sauvestre for aesthetic and dramatic effect, framing the view for visitors below.
• Urban Landscape: The tower stands at the northwest end of the Champ de Mars, a large public greenspace that was formerly a military parade ground. This open parkland allows for unobstructed views and accentuates the tower’s scale. Across the Seine River, the Jardins du Trocadéro offer a stunning elevated plaza that provides the most iconic photo opportunities.

What Makes It Famous

The Eiffel Tower’s fame is built on its status as a symbol of Paris, its groundbreaking engineering, and its cultural significance.

• Symbol of Paris: It is the single most recognized landmark of Paris and France, a universal symbol of love, art, and travel.
• Tallest Structure of Its Time: Upon its completion in 1889, it surpassed the Washington Monument to become the world’s tallest man-made structure, a title it held for 41 years until the Chrysler Building was completed in New York City.
• Panoramic Views: Its three observation levels offer unparalleled 360-degree views of Paris. The top level, at 276 meters (906 feet), is the highest public observation deck in the European Union.
• A Scientific and Broadcast Hub: From its earliest days, the tower was used for scientific experiments (meteorology, aerodynamics) and has served as a crucial tower for radio and television broadcasting for over a century.

Differences from Other Wonders

The man-made, industrial elegance of the Eiffel Tower provides a stark contrast to the vast, wild ecosystem of Kafue National Park.

• Environment (Urban Park vs. Untamed Wilderness): The Eiffel Tower is a man-made structure set within a manicured urban park in the center of a major global city. Kafue is a vast, natural wilderness of savanna, woodlands, and floodplains, largely untouched by human development.
• Core Story (Human Ingenuity vs. Natural Biodiversity): The story of the Eiffel Tower is a celebration of human ambition, modern engineering, and industrial-era innovation. The story of Kafue is about the rich biodiversity and ecological dynamics of a massive, untamed African ecosystem.
• Primary Attraction (An Architectural Icon vs. A Living Ecosystem): The primary attraction of the Eiffel Tower is the structure itself—its design, its history, and the views from it. The primary attraction of Kafue is its living wildlife, particularly its diverse antelope species and large predators.
• Atmosphere (Civic and Romantic vs. Wild and Pioneering): A visit to the Eiffel Tower evokes feelings of romance, history, and civic pride. A visit to Kafue inspires a sense of solitude, adventure, and a connection to a raw, pioneering wilderness.