Paris - Eiffel Tower

Date of visit: 16th April 2014

It was a trend these day for the wedded couple to have their wedding photograph in Paris vicinity, especially in Eiffel Tower. We saw many couples, lovers who were gathered in the city with their entourage to record the most memorable day as in picturesque. I pray that they shall remain loyal to each other and shall be together till death do them apart, the same prayer I wish for mine.

Strangely that I don't feel I should write a lot nor share so much story about it, as the Eiffel Tower itself is a remarkable icon landmark, well known to all. The tours starts daily, as early as 9am in summer and at 9.30 am till 11.30 pm for other season. The closing time is extended till midnight in summer though. Tickets for next year, January 2015 has been updated to Euro9 for lift entrance up to the 2nd floor and Euro15.5 ticket to the top, for adults. For those who really wish to witness the top most view is advised to be there as early as you can. The queue as experienced by others are tremendously long. We decided not to join the queue. Suffice to have our own appreciation of the grandeur structure from it's enormous surrounding, where we stopped for quick break offering afternoon prayer and a picnic lunch.

The Eiffel Tower seated on the Champ de Mars in Paris is an iron lattice tower. It was named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built it. Eiffel tower was erected in 1889 as entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair. Though it was initially criticised by some of France's leading artists and intellectuals for its design, it has become both a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is the tallest structure in Paris and the most-visited paid monument in the world; 6.98 million people ascended it in 2011. The tower received its 250 millionth visitor in 2010.

The tower is 324 metres tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to assume the title of the tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built in 1930. Because of the addition of the aerial atop the Eiffel Tower in 1957, it is now taller than the Chrysler Building by 5.2 metres. Not including broadcast aerials, it is the second-tallest structure in France, after the Millau Viaduct.

The tower has 3 levels for visitors, with restaurants on the first and second floor. The third level observatory's upper platform is at 276 m above the ground, which is the highest accessible to the public in the European Union. Tickets can be purchased to ascend by stairs or lift (elevator) to the first and second levels. The climb from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the walk from the first to the second level. Although there are stairs to the third and highest level, these are usually closed to the public and it is generally only accessible by lift.

The nearest Paris Metro station is Bir-Hakeim and the nearest RER station is Pont de l'Alma. The tower itself is located at the intersection of the quai Branly and the Pont d'Iena. You may opt to come here via river boat as the station is so near the tower. See below photo.

As for it’s popularity, more than 250 million people have visited the tower since its construction in 1889. In 2012 there were 6.18 million visitors. The tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world. The tower has two restaurants, Le 58 tour Eiffel, on the first floors and the Le Jules Verne, a gourmet restaurant on the second floor, with a private lift. This restaurant has one star in the Michelin Red Guide. It is run by the multi-Michelin star chef Alain Ducasse. I guessed we were too tired but satisfied for being able to reach the place without difficulties. We also had our afternoon prayer in the park just beneath the Eiffel. Hence, the last 2 photos was snapped across the Seine river to end this entry.

Ops, 1 more photo of me and my 2 sisters, though a bit blurry but with us 3 inside 1 photo is priceless.