Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower (French: La Tour Eiffel,) is an iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. It was named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. Erected in 1889 as the entrance arch to the Fair 1889 World Cup, was initially criticized by some of the artists and intellectuals of France for design, but has become 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 monument most-visited paid in the world; Totaled 6.98 million persons in 2011 The tower received its 250 millionth visitor in 2010. 

The tower is 324 meters (1,063 ft) tall, about the same height as a building of 81 floors. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to assume the title of tallest man-made structure in the world, a title he held for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building in New York, built in 1930, due to the addition of the antenna atop the Eiffel Tower in 1957, is now taller than the Chrysler building by 5.2 meters (17 feet). Not including broadcast antennas, it is the second tallest structure in France, after the Millau Viaduct. 

The tower has three levels for visitors with restaurants in the first and second. The top plate of the third level observatory is 276 m (906 ft) above the ground, greater access 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, are usually closed to the public and is generally only accessible by lift.