Fun and interesting facts about the Eiffel tower for kids: Eiffel tower facts for kids to help them learn about this famous landmark in Paris.
The Eiffel tower is one of the most famous landmarks in the world. It is one of the most visited attractions in Paris, one of the symbols of France and it is considered one of the world wonders.
These are some fun and interesting facts about the Eiffel tower for kids that will teach you all you need to know about this special monument.
This Eiffel Tower facts for kids can help the learn about this special landmark and help them get excited should you be planning a family trip to Paris!
Eiffel Tower information for kids: fast facts
- Name: Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower in English)
- Location: Paris, France
- Year of construction: 1885-87
- Material of construction: iron
- Color: bronze (currently)
- Name of constructor: Gustave Eiffel (Mr)
- Height: 300m/984ft
Eiffel Tower facts for kids: Q&A!
What is the Eiffel Tower and what does it look like?
The Eiffel tower is a famous landmark in Paris and one of the most famous towers in France, Europe and the world.
The tower has a very peculiar appearance that makes it unique.
Its shape reminds of that of the pyramids: it has a square base and four diagonal pillars converging to create a pointy top however, it is not made of bricks but in iron!
The sides of the Eiffel Tower are curved at an angle of 54 degrees at the base of the tower and are slightly curved: this creates a special effect that means the tower looks even taller than it is.
The tower is not made of solid metal but you can see through it and several open areas are left to make it look light and airy.
How old is the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower is 133 years old at the time of writing. Its construction started in January 1887.
Why is the Eiffel Towe so famous, what makes it special?
The Eiffel Tower is famous for many reasons.
First of all, it is unique in appearance: at the time of its construction, no other building in the world looked anything like it!
Also, when built, it was the tallest tower in the world and stayed the tallest for over 4 decades, until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built.
Finally, the tower has become a symbol of Paris and France in general and both view of the tower and from the tower are world famous.
Where is the Eiffel tower?
The Eiffel tower is in Paris city center, France.
Its gps coordinates are 48°51’30.13” North and 2°17’40.13” East.
It is along the river Seine, on the left bank of the river, in the Paris 7th arrondissment (neighbrohood).
What architectural style is the Eiffel tower?
At the time of its construction, the Eiffel Tower was an innovative project that didn’t fall into any known architectural style and pretty much created its own.
After it, metal became more and more popular s a construction material and set in motion a new trend in architecture that became very popular in in the late XVIII century in France and Europe in general.
Another great example of this style can be found in Lisbon, Portugal, where Eiffel himself designed the Elevator de Santa Justa (elevator).
How tall is the Eiffel tower?
The Eiffel Tower is designed to be is 300mt (about 984ft) high and 328 ft wide at its base however, its exact size changed depending on the season!
The tower is made or iron and iron is a metal that expands with heat and contracts with cold: this means that in summer, when the sun is hot, the tower grows and becomes up to 15cm taller!
This phenomenon is called ‘thermal expansion’ and it happens to all metal consructions such as, for instance, the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco.
Eiffel Tower info for kids who love numbers:
- First Platform: 57.63 meters
- Second Platform: 115.73 meters
- Third Platform: 276.13mt
To the top, there are 1665 steps!
How heavy is the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower weights 9700 tons
What is the Eiffel tower made of?
The Eiffel Tower is made exclusively of wrought iron, and more precisely of 18.030 metal parts for a total of 7300 tons of weight.
This gave her the nickname ‘La dame de fer’ which is French for ‘the Iron lady’
What color is the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel tower has changed color over time.
Now is it bronze color but when built it was red—brown. It gets repainted every 7 years and the job takes 15 months and 60 tons of paint.
There are 25 painters working on the tower and it is done by hand, with paintbrushes!
The next color is going to be ocher-gold, which was one of the colors Mr Eiffel himself had picked for the tower.
When was the tower built?
The construction of the Eiffel Tower started on January 28, 1887 and was completed on March 31, 1889.
What purpose does the Eiffel tower serve? Why was it built in Paris?
The purpose of the Eiffel Tower changed over the course of the years.
The Eiffel tower was built in the occasion of the World Fair of 1989, that was to take place in Paris.
To mark the event, a competition was launched and several projects were presented, to create something special that would wow the visitors to the Fair and could be seen as a way to celebrate France as an economic power.
The competition judges thought that the tower, with it peculiar shape and the iron material would be a good symbol of French industrial success to at the start, the purpose of the tower was celebratory.
However over the course of the years some uses were found for it as it gain a radio antenna on top, a post offive, a restaitant and Eiffel himself used it as its own laboratory too.
Nowadays, the tower is both a symbol and one of the main tourist attractions in Paris and France in general.
Who built the Eiffel tower?
The Eiffel Tower was built buy engineer Gustave Eiffel and a team of designers, engineers and entepreneurs.
Other names that entered history for the construction of the Eiffel towers are Maurice Keochlin, Emile Nougurier and Stephen Sauvestre.
Overall, 72 engineers, scientists and mathematicians worked on the tower and all of their names are still engraved on the side of the tower.
What does Eiffel mean? Where did the Eiffel tower get its name?
The Eiffel tower or Tour Eiffel is named after his constructor Gustave Eiffel. Eiffel was the surname of its constructor.
Is it true the Eiffel tower was temporary?
Yes, the Eiffel tower was built as a temporary exhibit for the Paris Expo and the plan was for it to be taken down after 20 years.
However, the tower had and antenna on its top and this made it very useful to the French State which, eventually, decided to keep it.
Is it true the French hate the Eiffel tower?
When the tower was first built, it elicited varied reactions some loved it and some hated it considering it an eyesore.
Famous French writer Dumas is particular is said to have hated the tower and to have had lunch there very often as it was ‘the only place in Paris, you couldn’t see the tower from’
Can you go up to the top of the Eiffel Tower?
Yes, the Eiffel tower is usually open to the public. You can find all info on times and rules for visiting on the tower official site
What popular sights can be seen from the top?
The Eiffel tower offers view on the whole of Paris.
The most recognisable landmarks you can see from it are the Ecole Militaire, the Trocadero and its fountains, the Louvre Museum and the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre as well as the Seine river, just beside the tower.
Is it true the The Eiffel tower has a secret room?
At the very top of the Eiffel tower there is a private apartment of Mr Eiffel who wanted to have a special space for himself at the very top of his construction.
Interestingly, the tower also has another secret area, a military bunker just at its base that it is said to even have a tunnel that gets all the way to the military school at the end of champs de mars.
How many people visit the Eiffel tower each year?
7 million people visit the Eiffel Tower each year, making it one of the most visited ticketed attractions in the world!
How many lightbulbs light up the Eiffel Tower at night?
Each night, 20,000 lightbulbs light up the tower. The resulting effect is so beautiful and artistic, it is illegal to distribute photos of it as its nighttime look is copyrighted!
I hope you enjoyed these fun facts about the Eiffel Tower for kids and answered most of your questions!
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