Legends and myths of the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world and has become a symbol of love. Want to admire Paris from above? Climb up to the upper platform to have a dream view.

One of the most enduring legends is that Gustave Eiffel, the engineer behind the tower’s construction, had a secret apartment at the top of the tower. While Eiffel did have a small apartment used as an office, it wasn’t exactly secret. However, the idea of a hidden luxurious apartment at the top of the tower has captured the imagination of many.

Many people believe that the iron used to build the Eiffel Tower does not rust, but this is not entirely true. Although the iron is resistant to the weather due to its composition and protective paint coatings, it does rust over time. However, the tower is maintained regularly and repainted as necessary to keep it looking its best.

There’s a myth that during hot weather, the iron expands, causing the Eiffel Tower to grow in height. While it’s true that metal expands when heated, the change in the tower’s height due to temperature fluctuations is negligible.

While not necessarily a legend, the tradition of attaching padlocks to the Eiffel Tower’s railings as a symbol of love and commitment became so popular that it became a problem for maintenance. Eventually, authorities had to remove many of the locks to prevent damage to the structure.