Eiffel Tower: History and Experience

Introduction 

Gustave Eiffel's company built Eiffel Tower, which was initially meant for the world fair in 1889. Many people, who only thought of it as a massive iron structure, then regarded it with much skepticism. Some felt that it was structurally unfit and regarded it as a blot on the landscape. However, today the view has changed and many consider it as an architectural wonder that attracts many tourists from all regions of the world. In fact, Eiffel Tower is rated as the most popular tourist attraction site in the world Moreover, it still plays a vital role in radio, and television broadcasts in Paris. 

Historical Facts 

Paris Hosted an exposition Universelle geared towards marking the 100th anniversary of the French revolution. Consequently, many artists submitted their plans for monuments that would be built at Champ-De-Mars in Central Paris, which would serve as the entrance to the exposition. The winning tender was granted to Eiffel who worked alongside his structural engineer Maurice Koechlin (Jonnes, 2009). Although Eifel is given the credit for the structure, Maurice came up with the concept. However, Eifel initially rejected the plan and asked him to add ornate flourishes. The final work took them 2 years to assemble, as they required to use more than 18000 pieces of puddle iron and 2.5 million rivets. Consequently, the two gathered hundreds of workers who spent 2 years gathering the structures' framework. Finally, the Eiffel tower was inaugurated in March 1889 and was the world's tallest structure standing at 1000 feet high. Currently, it stands taller because a 65 feet high antenna was added in 1957(Jonnes, 2009). 

Eiffel Tower Experience 

I am interested in visiting the Eiffel Tower because I have received interesting feedbacks from my friends who have visited it. They say that there are interesting restaurants and facilities that can be reached using the stairways or the elevators. Moreover, all of them describe the feeling in the structure as magnificent and almost indescribable. I also desire to see and walk on the first floor, which is transparent and has glass balustrades. It offers one a great experience and the view is described as breathtaking. The glass floor stands 57 meters from the ground and the sensation one gets is that of stepping out into a void (Eifel Tower, 2017). The management has also installed a non-slip treatment and a transparency effect that increases on a gradual basis from the interior towards the central region. There is no place in the world that one gets this feeling, and the sensation is memorable as described by those who have been there. 

Additionally, the first floor has an immersion show that is normally projected from the three walls using seven projectors. It plunges the visitors into the Eiffel Tower universe, making them forget the outside world altogether. The other main feature is the cultural path that is filled with touch screens, digital albums, screens, and displays that allow the visitor to find out the unknown details about the tower (Eifel Tower, 2017). Moreover, the first floor also has many areas and services, which are solely designed for the visitor's relaxation. There are as well areas where one can meditate and contemplate over issues as these facilities are designed solely for that purpose (LeBoutillier, 2006). Moreover, there are shops and restaurants that offer the visitor a chance to view Paris. Many people and professionals who have been there described the first floor as the most attractive and spectacular place in Paris because of the architecture of transparency and diagonals that are used in the construction. All the other features also count towards the categorization of the floor as the most spectacular sight in Paris (Eifel Tower, 2017). 

The Eifel Tower is also made interesting by the glass lifts that offer the visitor a panoramic view of the audacious architecture. Moreover, during the 180-meter trip in the lift, one views all or most of the monuments in Paris. The top the structure has two levels: one under a roof and the other in the open air (Eifel Tower, 2017). The two levels make it possible for one to take the trip either during the day or in the evening with many people opting to do both since they offer different effects. 

Additionally, the original office that belonged to Guatave Eiffel is also at the top of the tower with pictures of him and his daughter welcoming Thomas Edison who was a famous inventor. Moreover, the top of the tower has panoramic maps that allow the visitor to locate their position and know directions and distances to other major cities. The maps also offer the silhouettes of the emblematic buildings in the cities. For each, they indicate the geographic location, the name of the city, flag of the nation and the heights of the monuments (Eifel Tower, 2017). Moreover, one gets to toast their sensation at the top of the tower in the champagne bar that offers white and rose champagne as per the visitors' choice. Additionally, the bar has a circular view over Paris and an ideal flow that allows visitors to get beautiful photos. There are also three souvenir shops, which have diverse choices of postcards and souvenir items. Besides, Eifel Tower has modern equipment and amenities such as sound, furnishings, and lighting. This is unlike most old monuments, which do not offer visitors modern day facilities, making it hard to survive during visits (Eifel Tower, 2017). 

In conclusion, the breathtaking experience in Eiffel's Tower makes me desire to visit the facility. The highlight of the experience would be the first floor, the top of the tower as well as the trip in the lift that offers visitors the chance to view all the monuments in Paris (Eifel Tower, 2017). 

References 

Eifel Tower (2017). Eifel tower official page. Retrieved from http://www.toureiffel.paris/en/ 

Jonnes, J. (2009).  Eiffel's tower: and the World's Fair where Buffalo Bill beguiled Paris, the artists quarreled, and Thomas Edison became a count . New York, N.Y: Viking. 

LeBoutillier, N. (2006).  Eiffel Tower . Mankato, MN: Creative Education.