It’s safe to say that the Eiffel Tower is the most famous monument in Paris. Gustave Eiffel built the Tower, which is now a symbol of France, to serve as the majestic entrance to the World’s Fair in 1889. Commemorating the French Revolution, it took two years to build. Back then the Eiffel Tower was the tallest man-made structure ever built… but it was also meant to be dismantled shortly after! The reason we still have it today is because its great potential as a radio antenna. Thank goodness for that practical thinking back then, right? But this isn’t the only fun fact about this iconic landmark – check below five Eiffel Tower fun facts you probably didn’t know!
The Bet
In 1923, Pierre Labric (a French composer) cycled down the stairs of the tower and was arrested by the police. Labric went through the trouble to… win a bet.
The Con
In the 1920s, Victor Lustig managed to sell the Eiffel Tower for scrap metal to not one, but two separate investors. The conman claimed 70,000$ from the first and was never caught, for the victim was surely too ashamed to report it.
The Spy
In 1914, during the First Battle of the Marne, one of the Tower’s transmitters jammed German radio communication, helping the allies take the advantage. It was then used as a communication hub to spy on the enemy’s radio and even to misguide German zeppelin. And we all know how history went…
The Proposals
In the restaurant Jules Verne, nestled on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, the waiters and waitresses witness at least two marriage proposals every day!
The Marriage
In 2008, an American woman married the Iron Lady, effectively changing her name to Erika Eiffel and holding a commitment ceremony.
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Article written by Clémence