Timeline
The story of the Eiffel Tower in eight dates
From a controversial project for the 1889 World's Fair to France's most visited monument: the Eiffel Tower's history as a simple French timeline.
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In short
The Eiffel Tower was built in 1887–1889 for the Exposition universelle celebrating the centenary of the Revolution. Artists protested, it was meant to last only 20 years, but radio antennas saved it. Today it's one of the world's most visited monuments.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
- 1884Deux ingénieurs de l'entreprise Eiffel dessinent le premier projet.Two engineers at Eiffel's company draw the first design.
- 1887Le chantier commence sur le Champ-de-Mars.Construction begins on the Champ-de-Mars.
- 1887Des artistes publient une lettre contre la « tour inutile et monstrueuse ».Artists publish a letter against the "useless, monstrous tower".
- 1889Inauguration pour l'Exposition universelle.Opening for the World's Fair.
- 1909La tour devait être démontée, mais la radio la sauve.It was due to be dismantled, but radio saves it.
- 1944Les soldats allemands quittent Paris ; le drapeau français revient.German soldiers leave Paris; the French flag returns.
- 1985Un nouvel éclairage doré illumine la tour.New golden lighting illuminates the tower.
- 2000La tour scintille pour la première fois.The tower sparkles for the first time.
Key words
| French | English |
|---|---|
| le chantier | building site |
| l'ingénieur | engineer |
| démonter | to dismantle |
| l'éclairage | lighting |
| scintiller | to sparkle |
| l'Exposition universelle | World's Fair |
The tower is repainted about every seven years with around 60 tonnes of paint, by hand. It grows by up to 15 cm in summer because metal expands in the heat. Parisians call it la Dame de fer (the Iron Lady).
- Touriste
On monte à pied ou en ascenseur ?
Shall we walk up or take the lift?
- Toi
À pied jusqu'au deuxième étage, c'est moins cher !
On foot to the second floor, it's cheaper!
- Touriste
Il y a combien de marches ?
How many steps are there?
- Toi
Environ 670. Courage !
About 670. Good luck!