The iconic Eiffel Tower, a symbol of Paris and a marvel of engineering, is undergoing a major renovation project in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. While a $60 million (50 million euro) investment might seem like a significant effort, questions have arisen about its adequacy. Recent reports suggest that the tower’s condition is more dire than previously acknowledged, and the proposed maintenance plan might only provide a superficial makeover. So, how did this engineering marvel come to be, and what are the challenges of preserving it for future generations?
From Parisian Wonder to Global Icon
The Eiffel Tower’s construction began in 1887, with its completion just two years, two months, and five days later. The “300-meter Tower,” as it was initially called, opened to the public on May 15, 1889, at the Exposition Universelle, coinciding with the centennial of the French Revolution. While some prominent figures of the time opposed its construction, the tower proved to be a resounding success, attracting over 2 million visitors in its first year. Today, “la dame de fer” (the “iron lady”) welcomes around 7 million visitors annually, making it the world’s most-visited paid monument.
The tower’s imposing presence is undeniable, rising 984 feet (300 meters) high with a base measuring 410 feet (125 meters) in width. Its metal frame, weighing 7,300 tons (6,622 metric tons), stands as a testament to its engineering prowess. Its shape, described as “magical” by Benjamin Schafer, a professor of civil and systems engineering, is optimal for resisting wind load. Originally intended to last only 20 years, the Eiffel Tower’s utility for radio and telecommunications transmissions, combined with its enduring popularity, has ensured its continued presence on the Parisian skyline. Since the 1980s, it has undergone regular renovations and adaptations to accommodate its ever-growing number of visitors.
A Legacy of Paint and Preservation
The Eiffel Tower has undergone several paint transformations throughout its 132-year history. From its initial Venetian red hue, it has been painted in various shades of reddish-brown, ochre brown, yellow-brown, and brownish-red. A notable five-hue golden gradient, ranging from yellow-orange at the base to light yellow at the top, adorned the tower in 1899. Since 1968, it has been painted in “Eiffel Tower brown,” with three shades, the darkest being at the bottom. While this color scheme might seem understated, it was chosen for its harmony with the Parisian cityscape. However, for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the tower will revert to a golden hue.
Maintaining the Eiffel Tower requires a continuous battle against the elements, which relentlessly erode its iron frame. Following Gustave Eiffel’s recommendation, the tower receives a complete paint job every seven years, a process said to ensure its longevity. This comprehensive maintenance includes stripping, cleaning, applying rust-proofing, and ultimately, painting the tower.
A Bridge Between Past and Present
The Eiffel Tower’s design, conceived by Émile Nouguier and Maurice Koechlin, engineers from Gustave Eiffel’s firm, and architect Stephen Sauvestre, emerged as the winning entry in an open competition for the World’s Fair in Paris. As stated by Roumen V. Mladjov, “it is the materialized symbol of progress during the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century.” Despite its pioneering nature, the tower was constructed of iron, not steel, which would later become the dominant building material with the rise of the modern skyscraper. This choice, according to Schafer, was driven by the limitations of available materials at the time. The Eiffel Tower’s longevity is threatened by corrosion, a chemical reaction requiring oxygen and moisture, and fatigue, both of which pose significant maintenance challenges.
The Eiffel Tower’s design shares striking similarities with arched iron bridges, notably the Ponte Maria Pia, built by Gustave Eiffel between 1876 and 1877, which crosses the River Douro in Porto, Portugal. The maintenance strategy employed for the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, where its steel structure is continuously painted in sections based on corrosion levels, offers valuable insight into the ongoing maintenance of the Eiffel Tower.
The Balancing Act of Preservation and Tourism
The planned renovation of the Eiffel Tower in advance of the Olympics originally included stripping a third of the tower and applying two new coats of paint. However, due to COVID-19 delays and concerns about lead content in the old paint, the scope has been reduced to treating only 5 percent of the tower. The organization responsible for the tower’s operation and maintenance, the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), is hesitant to close the tower for renovation due to the potential revenue loss.
Reports from 2010 to 2016 highlighted issues and concerns related to the maintenance and condition of the Eiffel Tower. A 2014 report by paint company Expiris revealed cracks, rusting, and poor adhesion of newer paint. These painting campaigns can take anywhere from 18 months to three years, involving about 50 painters and 60 tons (54 metric tons) of paint. Balancing tourist demands and site maintenance is a constant challenge for SETE, which established a watchdog body to assess client satisfaction. In 2019, 96 percent of visitors surveyed indicated they would recommend the monument to friends and family. The Eiffel Tower, a symbol of Parisian charm and architectural ingenuity, remains a beloved attraction, requiring ongoing maintenance and preservation efforts to ensure its continued splendor.
