Monday Miles: Reaching new heights with the iconic Eiffel Tower [Video]
Say bonjour as we step into the world of croissants and iconic landmarks as the Monday Miles heads to Paris, France.
WELCOME back or should I say bonjour to this week’s edition of the Monday Miles. My name is Dillon Pillay, and I am the journalist for the Southlands Sun, and this is our travel series that takes us around the world to famous landmarks and digs into not just what they look like, but the stories that shaped them. Today we bring you our first edition from Paris, France, and there is really no other better way to start the series than starting with the iconic Eiffel Tower.
Also read: Monday Miles: Immersed in the art of Van Gogh
A symbol of romance, engineering brilliance, artistic rebellion and national pride, the Eiffel Tour has become the signature of Paris.
A structure born from revolution and ambition
Commissioned for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, the Eiffel Tower was constructed to memorialise the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Designed by the engineer Gustave Eiffel, it was meant to last only 20 years. But scientific progress took care of the rest, radio transmissions, military communication and ultimately television signals made the tower much too valuable to demolish.
What was meant to be a temporary symbol became immortalised in the country’s history
Crunching the numbers of The Eiffel Tower:
- Current height: 330m (with antennas)
- Construction time: two years, two months and five days
- Total weight: 10 100 000kgs
- Number of yearly visitors: 7 million people, with around 75% of them being international visitors.
- Total visitors since opening: Almost 300 million
From controversy to icon
At the start of its construction, it was hated by Parisians. Writers and artists released public letters declaring it a “monstrous skeleton of metal” that would ruin the elegance of Paris.
Today it has become the heart of Paris, it’s the postcard, it’s the proposal backdrop, it’s the firework stage and it’s a beacon to the capital.
Every night, 20 000 bulbs shimmer across its frame, a spectacle that has become as iconic as it is during the day.
@sun.newspapers Join Southlands Sun journalist, Dillon Pillay as he takes us around the world to some of the most iconic landmarks. Today we travel to Paris, France and there is really no other better way to start the series than starting with the iconic Eiffel Tower. #eiffeltower paris france mondaymiles travel southlandssun
A survivor of war
During World War II, the Eiffel Tower was closed to the public. Hitler ordered its destruction, but the order was not carried out by the commanding officer in Paris, sparing the world’s most beloved landmark.
Standing beneath the behemoth structure, you cannot help but be absolutely star struck by the beauty of it. It also makes for a good spotting game as you travel throughout the city.
That is all we have for this Monday Miles, next week we continue our adventures in Paris as we explore the happiest place on earth.
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