10 interesting Facts about The Eiffel Tower part (2)

Everyone thinks they´ve heard all there is to know about the Eiffel Tower in Paris. However, you may be quite surprised when you hear LocalNomad´s 10 following facts about the mysteries that surround the Iron Lady…

1. In 1960 French president, Charles de Gaulle, negotiated a secret agreement with the Mayor of Montreal, Jean Drapeau, to temporarily dismount the Eiffel Tower and relocate it to Canada for the 1967 Universal Exposition. Thankfully this was vetoed by the company which operated the tower who feared that the French government would not be willing to return the tower to its original location.
2. Few people realize that the Eiffel Tower played a crucial role in the First World War during the Battle of the Marne in 1914. Signals would actually be sent out from the top of the tower in order to direct the French troops to the front line.
3. From 1925 to 1935, the Eiffel Tower, nicknamed the “Iron Lady” was used as a commercial billboard by CITROEN, a local French company that sells motor vehicles. The tower was equipped with a large series of illuminated letters that spelled out CITROEN vertically. No other brand has ever used this legendary monument as an advertising medium.
4. The Eiffel Tower´s first floor is currently under renovation as they begin to make way for new buildings and public spaces. By the end of the construction the 1st floor will have a completely fresh and modern appearance including a new restaurant and an event hall.
5. François Reichelt was a French tailor at the start of the twentieth century who fashioned a make-shift parachute with the intention of jumping off the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately for him, jumping from the first floor of the Eiffel Tower proved unsuccessful. He remains famous to this day thanks to all the documentation that exists on his attempt, including a live video and images of the fall.
6. Few people realize that publishing night time photos of the Eiffel Tower is strictly prohibited without contacting the Société Nouvelle d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SNTE) and paying a legal copyright fee. The SNTE reserves all rights when the lights are a glow. This is not the case for day time photos on the other hand.
7. 20 years after its construction the Eiffel tower was almost completely dismounted and scrapped. All the parts were intended to be dismantled and sold. Thankfully this never happened.
   
   
   Most people know that Gustave Eiffel was the original architect behind the Eiffel Tower. What is less known is that he had a private room built for him at the top of the tower which can still be seen even today.
8. In 1889 France´s renowned newspaper company (Le Figaro) actually set up a printing press on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. The paper is still published there on site and for a nominal fee you can have your name printed on a freshly pressed copy.
9. 72 names of France´s most prominent scientists, engineers and notable individuals are engraved at the base of the tower. The engravings were painted over at the start of the 20th century but later restored by the SNTE.

We recommend you come visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris for yourself and discover all these mysteries first hand. While you´re there feel free to rent one of LocalNomad´s magnificent apartments located in the top districts in the French capital.

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10 interesting Facts about The Eiffel Tower part (1)