La+Tour+Eiffel

Probably the most famous of all Parisian landmarks, the[| Eiffel Tower] was originally constructed in 1889 to mark the 100th anniversary of the [|storming of the Bastille prison], an event which began [|The French Revolution.]

Designed by engineer [|Gustave Eiffel], it was only ever intended to be a temporary exhibit, a gateway to the [|International Exhibition of Paris]!

Considering that [|'The Iron Lady'] is the [|most visited paid monument in the whole world], it's difficult to imagine that such an impressive piece of architecture was meant to be torn down after the exhibition had finished.

Here's a video showing the construction process...  media type="custom" key="5809473"

From breaking ground to inauguration, the project took 2 years, 2 months and 5 days to complete.

At 300 metres in height (320.75m including antenna), and weighing 7000 tons, The Eiffel Tower was the world's tallest building until 1930.

Other statistics include:
 * 2.5 million rivets.
 * 300 steel workers, and 2 years (1887-1889) to construct it.
 * Sway of at most 12 cm in high winds.
 * Height varies up to 15 cm depending on temperature.
 * 15,000 iron pieces (excluding rivets).
 * 40 tons of paint.
 * 1652 steps to the top.

Want to know more? Then why not download this 27 page booklet entitled [|'All you need to know about the Eiffel Tower']

[|Thomas Edison] captured some incredible motion picture footage of the Eiffel Tower in 1900 with his own brilliant invention, the Motion Picture Camera. Here it is...  media type="custom" key="5809519"

The Eiffel Tower has always attracted widespread attention; so much so that film actors and extreme sports personalities alike have attempted a range of daring escapades from its lofty heights. Check out these Youtube video clips... one of Jackie Chan performing his own daredevil stunts for the movie 'Rush Hour 3'; the other of champion in-line skater, Taig Kris, as he jumps from the first platform to find his way into the [|Guinness Book of Records.]

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<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140.4%;">During their topic work on France in the Spring and Summer terms of 2010, Y1&2 pupils used artstraws to replicate the Eiffel Tower. Take a look at this slideshare of their wonderful work... media type="custom" key="6523485"

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140.4%;"> Now have some fun with this selection of activities...

Here's a wonderful [|bi-lingual French and English quiz booklet] all about the Eiffel Tower. Why not see how much you know?

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">And if it's quizzes you like, there's another one [|here on the Euroclub schools website]. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Alternatively, you could join a character called [|Hector at The Eiffel Tower] and play one of six different on-line games.

If you don't think you'll have the chance to visit The Eiffel Tower for yourself any time soon, then why not take a virtual tour either [|here on the official website] or [|here on parisarounder.com]. Enjoy!