One of the most famous landmarks in the world, the Eiffel Tower (la Tour Eiffel) symbolizes Paris. Before arriving here, visitors have a vivid image of this monument as seen in a postcard, movie, or on a keychain, yet the Eiffel Tower still manages to amaze.

This masterpiece of architectural achievement soars to a height of 324 meters. A feat of ingenuity, the structure of 18,000 iron parts is held together by 2.5 million rivets.

Despite its massive weight, the Eiffel Tower has an airy lattice construction with the seeming lightness of a ballerina on point. The graceful tower is also known as the “Iron Lady.” In 1887, the Journal Officiel launched a competition for a tower to be exhibited at the fair. Entrepreneur Gustave Eiffel, along with architect Stephen Sauvestre and collaborating engineers, submitted the winning project.