Paris: Eiffel Tower

It might sound cliché but most people associate Paris as la ville d’amour. All of that is pretty much true if you were physically there. Everything about Paris is just picturesque. I have 3 words to describe Paris; lively, enchanting and historical. The capital of French, the eight most expensive cities in the world according to Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has a subtle beauty that takes a lifetime to capture. Pareee in the winter becomes a city of soft colors and simple comforts. I took the red-eye flight and arrived in the wee hours of morning when Paris skies are still pitch black. Check-in the apartment, small elevator crammed with luggage, the desire to take a long nap to recover the loss of sleep to put on hold when you see a blinding sun peeking out behind the Tour Eiffel.

Paris is best explored at a leisurely pace and it is easy to get around anywhere. The rail network is brilliant. I spend most of the time traveling with Metro and RER which are pretty much efficient and reliable. If you travel frequently in Zone 1, do purchase a “Carnet” (pronounced as carney) of 10 tickets which is cheaper than paying single journey ticket. Don’t worry of getting lost in the central area because all you need is to stroll around and you’ll come across nearby station. Do not be alarmed if you see bunch of people jumping the turnstile for a free ride. The nearest metro station to the Eiffel Tower is Bir Hakiem.

 Recommended Apple apps: Paris Metro Guide | Metro Map

You couldn’t possibly visit Paris without visiting Eiffel Tower which has become the symbol of the City of Light that dominates the skyline. I could stand for hours admiring the sophisticated architecture of the Iron Lady.

Gustave Eiffel monument proposal was chosen for the Universal Exhibition of 1889, a date that marked the centenary of the French Revolution. This was the tallest man-made structure on earth to reach and exceed 1,000 feet in height until the Chrysler Building was completed in New York in 1930.

According to Gustave Eiffel, the coat of paint is an essential element in the conservation of metal works. Monsieur Eiffel chose to paint the tower red after it was erected and since then it has changed colors several times. The current bronze colour said to bring out the structure against the Paris skies. If you notice carefully, this magnificent structure is painted in different shades of bronze. It starts from the lightest shade at the top to the darker at the bottom.

Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, a well-known civil engineer.

The queue for the tower can be horrendously long especially during the weekends. Lift entrance ticket including access to the summit cost 14 € per adult. Alternatively you can climb up the stairs instead.

River Seine from atop Eiffel Tower.

You will notice this sign everywhere especially at the tourist attraction. Paris is generally a safe city but please stay vigilant against unwanted crime that can spoil your visit. I believe there are not so much pickpocketing activities during winter period but no wallet on your back pocket rule apply. Avoid any strangers that approach you to sign for a petition or the gold ring scam.

The design of the tower plays an important role that would be resistant to wind. The metal frame weighs 7,300 tons and the rivets used were of type employed in locomotive boilers.

360 degree view of Parisian city

Amidst the fast paced changes happening in the world, it remained a preserved city. Paris aesthetic qualities were largely influenced by the 19th century Haussmann plan that stylized building facades.

Trocadéro

Love Locks

The top of the tower houses a replica of the office used by Gustave during the planning phase of the tower. Wax figures depict Eiffel and his daughter meeting Thomas Edison. Eiffel Tower supposedly to be a temporary structure and to be dismantled after a twenty year period. However, he managed to find profitable ways to save his tower with all sort of experiments and as a location for radio transmitters.

After the visit to the tower, perhaps you should have this savory Nutella Crepes!!

The city’s historical height restrictions limited the development of towering buildings. You can see the Eiffel Tower at every angle within the city.

Standing 320 metre high, the Eiffel Tower look amazing at night

Be enthralled with the view of Tour Eiffel during nightfall

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Paris Travel Series: Montmartre District | Paris Mosque |  Musée du Louvre | Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées | Palace of Versailles | Cruising Along River Seine | Notre-Dame Cathedral & Centre Georges Pompidou | Tour Montparnasse | Pont Alexandre III