Gustave Eiffel’s apartment: the secret room of the iron lady

You think you know everything about the Eiffel Tower? So do you know that it houses the old apartment of its creator, Gustave Eiffel?

Paris, the City of Light, is one of the most popular destinations by visitors from all over the world, and Eiffel Tower is of course one of the city’s flagship attractions. From the top of its 324 meters, including antenna, the iron lady overlooks Paris and offers an unmistakable panoramic view of the city from its 3rd floor located at 276 meters above sea level.

But did you know that this French icon also houses a secret apartment that was once that of Gustave Eiffel and where he regularly received his close friends? If you want to know more about this apartment so you don't miss it on your next visit to Paris, you can find all the information you need in this article!

In the footsteps of the Eiffel Tower and its secret apartment

Built for the Universal exhibition of 1889 having taken place in Paris, during the centenary of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower is a metal work designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, a famous French engineer from the 19th century.

Its construction took place between 1884 and 1886 and was probably one of the biggest challenges in the industrial era. It was supposed to be built as a temporary exhibition element to demonstrate the industrial power of France, but it ended up being kept. Today — with his 324 metres high — this is the highest building in the city, and probably one of the most important and known throughout the world.

The secret apartment was Eiffel’s apartment and personal office. He built it and built it shortly after the construction of the tower. He welcomed his close friends as well as other designers and engineers for long discussions. The apartment also served as laboratory laboratory to take atmospheric measures, but also to carry out physical experiments and astronomical observations. Gustave Eiffel did many experiments during the years he spent in this place, although the laboratory today is no longer actually used.

It is important to know that for several years, Gustave Eiffel kept the existence of this secret ring and when its existence was discovered, all Paris and its visitors sought to enter it. However, the entry of this piece was prohibited to the general public. Today — in accordance with the wishes of its creator — it is only possible to see the interior from a window on one side of the apartment.

What is behind the secret apartment of the Eiffel Tower?

The secret apartment of the Eiffel Tower is a real journey in time! Although you cannot enter the apartment directly, in order to continue according to the wishes of Gustave Eiffel, you can still look inside the apartment thanks to the small window that illuminates the place.

You can see a discussion scene between Gustave Eiffel and Thomas Edison — created thanks to their wax statues — but also many wooden furniture of ages, painted papers dating from the nineteenth century, as well as sofas with velvet fringes that make the charm of this place.

Of course, don’t forget to enjoy the incredible view that you will have from this floor on the whole city. This is the best view of all Paris, and the photos you will make will be just beautiful.

To go

How?

If you want to visit the Eiffel Tower and its incredible secret apartment, then here are some ways to get there:

• By car

If you want to drive to the Eiffel Tower, its exact address is Champ-de-Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris .

With regard to parking nearby, there are 3 to prefer:

- The Parking Pullman Tour Eiffel , only 5 minutes from the tower - The 443 Avenue Joseph Bouvard , 6 minutes - The 2 Place Joffre , which is 12 minutes walk away

• By metro

To get to the Eiffel Tower by metro, it is best to take Line 6 to Bir-Hakeim Station, the closest to the monument.

It is also possible to take:

- Line 8 : up to the “Military School” Station (from which you will have 10 minutes walk) - Line 9 : up to the Trocadéro Station (from which you will have a little over 25 minutes walk)

• By bus

If you want to take the bus to the Eiffel Tower, then it is possible to stop at the Eiffel Tower stop, 5 minutes away from it, thanks to:

- Line 82 - Line 30 - Line 40

Note : You can easily find all the bus schedules in line, or in bus stops.

• RER

Thanks to the RER C , you can access the Eiffel Tower by stopping at the Champ-de-Mars station. Eiffel Tower".

• By boat

If you want a boat trip before joining the Eiffel Tower, you can take the boat Batobus Eiffel Tower and stop on the Seine.

In addition, many fly-boat excursions offer a stop at the Eiffel Tower.

When?

The Eiffel Tower is accessible all year round, and its opening hours are:

• 14 June to 31 August: the elevator and the stairs are accessible from 9h to 0h45 every day

• The rest of the year: the elevator is accessible from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., while the stairs are accessible from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., every day

Nevertheless, the best moments to get there are at early summer , when temperatures are pleasant, but especially at night to enjoy the illuminations of this monument and the rest of the city.

At what price?

There are several rates to visit the Eiffel Tower, depending on age, but also on the type of ticket:

Lift ticket for the top

• Free for under 4 years
• Children 4-11 years: 6,40€
• Persons with disabilities: 6,40€
• Youth aged 12-24: 12,70€
• Adults: 25,50€

Lift ticket + stairs for the top

• Free for under 4 years
• Children 4-11 years: 4,90€
• Persons with disabilities: 4,90€
• Youth aged 12-24: 9,70€
• Adults: 19,40€

Line Cut Ticket and Guided Tours

It is also possible to buy cut-file to avoid too long waiting times, as well as to book guided tours through Paris to visit the Eiffel Tower with a guide specialized in the history of the city.

What I can find out in the area

Paris has many activities and visits that will each amaze you a little more. Here are some not to be missed on your trip to the French capital:

• Do one boat cruise on the Seine to visit Paris and see the must-see monuments, like the Eiffel Tower, from the water
• Visit the Louvre and admire the most famous paintings such as La Joconde or the Venus de Milo.
• Admire it Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris, as impressive from the outside as from the inside
• Discover the vineyards of Montmartre and make a stop by the only cabaret dating from the late 19th century of Paris
• Don't miss it. Pantheon of Paris in the heart of the Latin Quarter of the city
• Visit the Sainte-Chapelle and admire this jewel of Gothic architecture dating back to the 13th century
• passing through the Place de l’Etoile, enjoy a moment to admire theArc de Triomphe
• If you’re a fan of impressionist paintings and new art, then think about visiting the Musée d’Orsay
• Mount the steps of the Sacred Heart and enjoy this building in the Romanesque and Byzantine style, but also its view of Paris