The Eiffel Tower isn’t just a famous landmark—it’s a game-changer in architecture. When Gustave Eiffel built it for the 1889 World’s Fair, critics called it an eyesore. But over 130 years later, it’s still standing strong, proving them all wrong.
With its bold use of iron and groundbreaking design, the tower set the stage for modern skyscrapers. This guide dives into how it was built, why it’s so revolutionary, and what makes it last.
One of the world's greatest wonders, the Eiffel Tower, took only 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days to build. The engineers and architects who made it possible are:
Gustave Eiffel was a visionary French engineer best known for the Eiffel Tower. Before that, he made his mark designing bridges, including the Garabit Viaduct. His company also built the metal framework for the Statue of Liberty. After retiring, he shifted focus to meteorology and aerodynamics, proving he was always ahead of his time.
Emile Nouguier and Maurice Koechlin were the brains behind the Eiffel Tower’s design. As top engineers in Eiffel’s company, they sketched out the tower’s original concept in 1887. Their expertise in structural engineering helped turn an ambitious idea into one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
Stephen Sauvestre gave the Eiffel Tower its signature look. Brought in to refine Nouguier and Koechlin’s design, he added decorative arches, a glass pavilion, and a top cupola—transforming the tower from a raw structure into a masterpiece. His vision helped win over critics and even Gustave Eiffel himself.
Want to learn more about the Eiffel Tower’s history? Read our Eiffel Tower history guide.
Unlike the Neo-Gothic, Neo-Baroque, and Renaissance styles that dominated 19th-century Paris, the Eiffel Tower was a bold leap into modern engineering.
At the time, reinforced concrete wasn’t widely used, but puddle iron— the same material in railway bridges— was:
This groundbreaking approach made the Eiffel Tower a blueprint for modern skyscrapers and a true revolution in architecture.
Standing at 330 meters (1,083 ft), the Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world when it was completed—and it still dominates the Paris skyline today!
To protect it from rust and oxidation, the tower has been repainted 19 times since it was built. But how does the repainting process work?
Repainting only happens in dry, mild weather to ensure the paint adheres properly. This process happens every 7 years, using traditional methods—meaning painters still work with harnesses, safety nets, and lines.
The Eiffel Tower has had several color makeovers over the years:
1887-88: Venetian Red
1889: Reddish-Brown
1899: Yellow-orange gradient (light yellow at the top!)
1907-47: Yellow-Brown
1954-61: Brownish-Red
1968 - Present: Eiffel Tower brown, with a gradient (darkest at the bottom, lightest at the top)
Recent reports say the tower is riddled with rust and needs serious repairs. Ideally, 30% of the structure should be stripped, treated, and repainted. However, due to delays and budget constraints, generally only 5% of the tower is gets treated in a €60 million paint job ahead of major events like the Paris Olympics.
While puddle iron (the tower’s material) can last forever with proper maintenance, factors like pollution, weather, and even bird droppings keep the restoration teams busy!
The Eiffel Tower was a game-changer for architecture. Its iron lattice structure defied traditional building methods and became a blueprint for modern skyscrapers.
Whether you admire it from below or sip champagne at the top, its brilliance is undeniable.
The Latting Observatory (New York, 1853) and early iron bridge designs influenced its framework.
Its lattice iron design, wind resistance, and height made it a groundbreaking engineering marvel in 1889.
It has four legs supporting an open-frame iron skeleton, tapering into a single tower column at the top.
The flexible iron design absorbs wind force, causing the tower to sway up to 9 cm in strong winds.
Yes! The Eiffel Tower’s first sketches are displayed in Gustave Eiffel’s office at the summit.
Many Parisian artists and intellectuals, including Guy de Maupassant and Charles Gounod, saw the Eiffel Tower as an ugly monstrosity that clashed with Paris’s classical architecture. Over time, it became one of the world’s most beloved landmarks.
Due to thermal expansion, the tower grows by up to 15 cm (6 inches) in summer and shrinks in winter. The south side expands more in the heat, causing the top of the tower to slightly lean away from the sun.
If the Eiffel Tower were made of solid iron, instead of its lattice structure, it would be too heavy to support itself and would collapse under its own weight. The open framework keeps it light yet strong.
Eiffel Tower Guided Tour by Elevator: Reserved Entry to the Summit or Second Floor
Eiffel Tower Guided Climb by Stairs
Combo: Eiffel Tower Guided Tour by Elevator with Seine River Cruise
