The Eiffel Tower, a symbol of Paris and a global icon, is facing a crucial challenge: its ongoing maintenance. While the structure continues to awe millions of visitors each year, concerns have arisen about its deteriorating condition, prompting a massive renovation project in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
A Brief History: From Construction to Global Icon
The Eiffel Tower stands as a testament to human ingenuity. Its construction, beginning in 1887, was completed in a remarkably short timeframe of just two years, two months, and five days. It opened its doors to the public on May 15, 1889, as part of the Exposition Universelle, a grand world’s fair celebrating the centennial of the French Revolution.
The tower’s initial reception was mixed, with notable figures like Charles Garnier and Guy de Maupassant opposing its construction. Despite the criticism, the “300-meter Tower” quickly became a sensation, attracting over 2 million visitors in its first year alone. Today, it stands as the world’s most-visited paid monument, attracting approximately 7 million visitors annually, cementing its status as “la dame de fer,” the “iron lady.”
A Marvel of Engineering: Design and Construction
While its graceful silhouette is captured in countless photographs, the Eiffel Tower is most impressive when viewed in person. Its massive structure reaches a height of 984 feet (300 meters) – even taller if you consider flagpoles and antennae – and its base spans a staggering 410 feet (125 meters) in width. The tower’s weight is equally impressive, tipping the scales at a hefty 7,300 tons (6,622 metric tons).
According to Benjamin Schafer, a professor of civil and systems engineering at Johns Hopkins University, the tower’s shape is not just visually appealing but also perfectly engineered to withstand the forces of wind. This remarkable design, initially intended for a temporary 20-year lifespan, has stood the test of time, its longevity attributed to its utility for radio and telecommunications, and, of course, its enduring popularity among tourists.
A Constant Battle Against the Elements: Maintaining the Iron Lady
Since its construction, the Eiffel Tower has undergone a continuous cycle of renovation, restoration, and adaptation to accommodate the growing number of visitors. The tower’s metallic frame has been painted seven different colors over its 132-year history, a constant battle against the elements that threaten to erode its iron structure.
The tower’s original Venetian red has given way to a spectrum of shades, including reddish-brown, ochre brown, yellow-brown, brownish-red, and even a five-hue golden gradient from yellow-orange at the base to light yellow at the top. Since 1968, the tower has been painted in three shades of “Eiffel Tower brown,” with the darkest shade at the bottom. However, in anticipation of the 2024 Olympics, the tower will be adorned with a golden hue, a nod to its earlier color scheme.
A Continuous Cycle of Care: Stripping, Cleaning, and Painting
Gustave Eiffel, the tower’s namesake, recognized the importance of regular maintenance. The official website states that the tower receives a complete paint job every seven years, a frequency recommended by Eiffel himself, a strategy believed to guarantee its eternal life.
This extensive process includes stripping, cleaning, rust-proofing, and painting the tower. Eiffel’s firm, led by engineers Émile Nouguier and Maurice Koechlin, and architect Stephen Sauvestre, triumphed in an open competition for the design of the World’s Fair in Paris. Roumen V. Mladjov, writing in Structure magazine, hailed the Eiffel Tower as a “materialized symbol of progress during the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century.”
Despite the tower’s innovative use of iron during the Industrial Revolution, the use of steel became prevalent shortly after with the emergence of skyscrapers. Schafer explains that the use of iron was the only feasible material to build such a structure at the time. Corrosion and fatigue are the primary concerns when maintaining the tower, with corrosion being a slow process that requires oxygen and moisture.
A Balancing Act: Tourist Demand and Site Maintenance
The 2024 Olympics renovation plan included stripping a third of the tower and applying two new coats of paint. However, due to COVID-19 delays and concerns about lead contamination in the old paint, only 5 percent of the tower will be treated.
SETE, the organization responsible for operating and maintaining the tower, faces a delicate balancing act between meeting the demands of tourists and ensuring proper maintenance. Reports from 2010 to 2016 highlighted issues, faults, and concerns regarding the Eiffel Tower’s maintenance and condition. A 2014 report by paint company Expiris found cracks, rust, and poor adhesion of newer paint.
Painting campaigns, which can last from 18 months to three years, involve approximately 50 painters and consume 60 tons of paint. SETE has established a watchdog body to evaluate client satisfaction, which revealed that 96 percent of visitors would recommend the Eiffel Tower to friends and family.
Schafer emphasizes the importance of ongoing maintenance, stating, “The Eiffel Tower is worth maintaining because we love it.”
A Timeless Icon: Preserving a Piece of History
The Eiffel Tower, despite its age, continues to be a beacon of innovation and engineering brilliance. It is a testament to the enduring power of human creativity and a symbol of progress. As the world prepares for the 2024 Olympics, the Eiffel Tower stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the importance of preserving cultural landmarks for future generations.
