Wow, what a magnificent site!!! Not too crowded today. We had skip the line tickets (highly recommended) so we got in fairly quickly. We rode the first elevator to the second floor with our guide and saw the beautiful sites of Paris from up high. The problem is that the wind was also up high and it was really cold. Maybe not so cold as we were not dressed appropriately.

Mr. Gustave Eiffel was the main designer. He assigned the project to 3 of his subordinates. He then purchased the patent pf the design plans from Stephen Sauvestre and 2 others and built it in his own name. The towers purpose was described as such: meteorological and astronomical observations, physics experiments, a strategic vantage point, an optical telegraph communications point, a beacon for electric lighting and wind studies. Eiffel had scientist install barometers, anemometers, lightning conductors, etc.

The iron structure is much more elaborate than I had thought. 72 scientists names are emblazoned on the borders of the sides. Eiffel also built himself an apartment on the top level but never really lived there. Probably because at first there was no elevators and he would have had to climb over 1600 stairs. The top floor was enclosed, thank goodness, and offered a comparison of many, many countries of their tallest building compared to the Eiffel Tower. Originally, the Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 Paris Exhibition Universelle which marked the 100 year anniversary of the French Revolution. Part of the design contest was that the structure had to be easily torn down and the Eiffel Tower was scheduled for demolition in 20 years. But it proved to be such a tourist attraction, the plans to dismantle it were abandoned.

Side Note: The blog will be slower now. We are on our River cruise and the Internet is not so good plus we are so busy all day. I fall into bed after dinner (which is over about 9:30) and I am done for the day. Do not worry; we are fine. Just tired……stay tuned!