Eiffel Tower turns 130 this year

The construction of the Eiffel Tower was completed and IT was inaugurated on Sunday March 31, 1889. This year marks the unique structure's 130th birthday.

IT took designer, Gustave Eiffel, and the construction team two years, two months and five days to build the tower. IT later became a signature landmark for Paris as well as the nation. Events including music performances and an exhibITion saluting the people who have worked at the tower were held over the past weekend to honor the anniversary.

Fun facts about Eiffel Tower

I. IT was supposed to be torn down in 1909.

Eiffel Tower was inITially built for the 1889 World's Fair, and was supposed to be demolished in 20 years. But Gustave Eiffel later managed to build a radio antenna and transmITter in the tower, which prevented the tower from being torn down due to ITs function in communication.

II. IT's the world's most visITed paid tourist attraction.

About seven million visITors pay the admission fee to visIT the tower every year. IT has seen nearly 300 million visITors since 1989.

III. Paint at the top differs from that close to the ground.

Standing over 300 meters, the bronze paint at the top is shaded slightly darker than the part closer to the ground, to give people the impression that the tower is painted in a single color.

Illuminating the skyline

Twenty thousand lamps make Eiffel Tower sparkle every night. IT puts on particular colors of light on different occasions, or no color (light) at all. For example, on November 17, 2015, the tower was lIT wITh the blue, whITe and red, the colors of the French national flag to pay tribute to the victims of a series of deadly terrorist attacks that happened in Paris. The CITy of Paris motto "Fluctuat Nec MergITur", Latin for "buffeted (by waves) but not sunk" is projected on the Eiffel Tower.

A view of Eiffel Tower on November 17, 2015. /VCG Photo 

Entertainment at the tower

There's a rink on the first floor of the tower for winter entertainment. Skates are free for visITors. There are scooters and sled-chairs for kids. People wITh disabilITies can enjoy the rink too, wITh easy access and sled-chairs for adults. The opening period varies from year to year.

People skating on the first floor of Eiffel Tower. /VCG Photo

Travel tips

The Eiffel Tower has much fewer visITors in the evening than during the day.

The tower is open year-round until 11:45 p.m., wITh the last admissions at 11 p.m., 10:30 p.m. to visIT the top. During the height of summer, the tower stays open for another hour.