The world famous landmark that has come to symbolise Paris is now more exciting and appealing than ever. The Eiffel Tower has received something of a facelift with refurbished pavilions, an improved cultural path, a champagne bar and a spectacular new glass floor that gives a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘walking on air.’ If you have climbed the tower before, you will want to see it again, and if you have never visited this magnificent landmark, well, what are you waiting for?
An exciting new look for an iconic landmark
The Eiffel Tower is officially the most popular paid tourist attraction in the world. It now attracts close to seven million visitors per year. In fact, since the last refurbishment of the tower’s first floor around thirty years ago this majestic iron lady has welcomed more visitors than she did during her first hundred years! The public spaces that were renovated back in the 1980s had become obsolete and were no longer adequate for handling this increase in visitor interest.
Of course, none of this enduring popularity could have been predicted when this 324 metres high tower was built to form an entrance arch for the 1889 Paris World’s Fair. In fact, as amazing as it seems now, Gustave Eiffel’s masterpiece of engineering was scheduled to be demolished in 1909. Thankfully, it was reprieved and allowed to attain the legendary status it enjoys today.
The first floor of the tower has received a complete makeover, with the architecture of the pavilions, designed by Moatti-Rivière, blending smoothly into the curvature of the tower’s structure, and full access has now been provided for persons with disabilities. The cultural path has bright and fresh touch screen displays and digital albums. The Ferrié Pavilion offers an immersion experience by projecting the Eiffel Tower universe onto 3 walls by the use of 7 projectors. Perhaps best of all, there is an amazing glass floor situated 57 metres from the ground, affording a breath-taking view and the sensation of stepping out into the void. Don’t worry; the glass surface is non-slip and the transparency increases the closer you get to the centre, so that the stunning sight of Paris so far below won’t take you too much by surprise.
The new development is also planned to be a sustainable one, as solar panels and wind turbines fitted to the renovated pavilions are predicted to be capable of generating 10,000 kWh/year, thereby reducing the tower’s carbon footprint.
When you’ve recovered your equilibrium after traversing the glass floor, why not make your way up to the top floor to enjoy a panoramic view of the city while you sip a glass of champagne? Yes, tucked into the tower’s structure and open each day from noon until 10:00 pm, the new Champagne Bar offers a selection of pink or white bubbly served chilled to perfection for the perfect romantic moment.
Tour Eiffel Paris
Champ de Mars,5 Avenue Anatole France,75007 Paris
Line n°6, station « Bir-Hakeim » / Line n°9, station « Trocadéro » / Line C : Station « Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel »
Picture credits : © Paris Tourist Office - Photographe : Marc Bertrand
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