As I've been here a week and hadn't seen the Eiffel Tower, I decided it was probably time to explore that area of Paris a little. I still maintain that it looks like a meccano set, but it's an imposing structure nonetheless.
The Tower's history is quite interesting. It was built for the Paris Exposition in 1889, and Mr Eiffel only had the permit for the site for 20 years. However, it proved so popular that the City of Paris decided to keep it up. At the start of WWI, radio transmitters were put at the top to jam German transmissions, which severely hampered the German advance.
Other points of interest to do with the tower: cosmic rays were discovered by measuring radiation at the top and bottom of the tower; during the occupation in WWII the French cut the power to the lifts so that Hitler would have to walk up (funnily enough, he never bothered!); and in 2010 the tower received its 250 millionth visitor.
Now that is quite the information. very interesting. I've been there in 1959 on a stop over. only time for one evening, but I had to see the Eifell tower while I was there..
@bruni Of course Bruni! I went up it years ago, but it wasn't worth going up yesterday as it was quite misty. I'll have to go up in a couple of weeks though because my friend is coming to visit! - Lucy
@ericdibosco Thank you Eric. It really is very imposing as a structure! I must admit, I don't like going to the very top, I prefer the first and second floor... - Lucy
