The Eiffel Tower: The Largest Renovation Project in its History

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The Eiffel Tower: The Largest Renovation Project in its History
For the very first time in its history, the most iconic landmark in the City of Light is undergoing extensive refurbishments to improve, and beautify, the Eiffel Tower experience. The far-reaching project, led by SETE, the Eiffel Tower Operating Company (Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel), is set to take place over the next 15 years, as the capital prepares to host the 2024 Olympic Games as well as the 2025 World Expo. During this period, the Iron Lady will have a complete makeover from head to toe to be all set for these major events. 2018 is a milestone year for the current large-scale restoration program. The Gardens: A new walkway to the Eiffel Tower The goal of the garden redesign is to create a peaceful and attractive space, while also ensuring safety, offering a secure spot for rest and contemplation. Since mid-March, visitors have discovered new pathways and improved landscaping which offers new, unparalleled views of the landmark. The walk guides tourists and locals through the gardens to get to the Eiffel Tower. Outdoor furniture will complete the décor of the scene. For environmental sustainability, the local flora and fauna will be preserved. A protective enclosure will also surround this green setting. The main alleys of Refuzniks and Jean Paulhan will be bordered by a metal fence, 10.63 feet high, whose transparency will offer a secured visit as well as an aesthetically attractive view of the new space around the Iron Lady. The glass barriers, allowing for controlled access to the site, will surround the north and south sides of the tower and will blend into the landscape. The exits will also be upgraded to be composed of glass drums and airlock equipment with doors for people with reduced mobility. An enlivened second floor The expansive restoration of the second floor, completed at the beginning of April, improves the Eiffel Tower experience with a better welcome. The whole floor has been entirely redesigned and modernized with new furniture and a major innovation: an interactive digital animation that pays tribute to all major cities worldwide that have hosted the Olympic Games. The other renovations include a brighter gallery, shops with updated décor, wood flooring and ceilings with a fresh design. From acoustics to lighting, the efforts to enliven the second-floor space were extensive. Painting the Iron Lady: the 20th campaign The project to repaint this architectural masterpiece represents both major technical and human challenges. The workers strip the tower to apply 60 tons of paint that is designed to preserve the structure’s iron and steel. The tower has been entirely repainted every seven years, and it usually takes 20 months to complete the traditional painting. This 20th campaign to paint the Eiffel Tower will begin in the fall of 2018. It is an important moment in its history, as it turns out to be the most complex painting process since its construction. It will be necessary to remove the old layers of paint on about 10 percent of its surface to create a long-lasting and attractive look. The “Eiffel Tower Brown” color was specifically designed for the iconic monument, and is now a symbol of the Parisian cityscape. Since 1968, the Iron Lady has been coated with three shades of the emblematic color, the lightest at the top and the darkest at the bottom, to emphasize its slender elegance. Previously, the Eiffel Tower was repainted in a variety of hues since its creation. The monument’s original look was a reddish-brown paint in 1889. It then sported a gradation of an orange-yellow color in 1899. Then it was painted a brownish-red color in the 1950s. The North Elevator upgraded The North Elevator, dating from 1964, is undergoing a three-year restoration to enhance performance, efficiency and safety this spring. This process will require great precision and unique know-how from the teams in charge of the work. The technology improvements will consist of renovating the pulleys, the cabin, the automation system and the track. This will not only allow an increase in the capacity of the elevator but also make it easier for the employees of SETE to undertake regular maintenance. The organization performs checks every day to ensure the smooth running of the facilities. The modernization process will reduce waiting times and ensure optimum visitor flow. The number of tickets sold online will be adapted accordingly for the duration of the work. The lift will be available to the public in the first quarter of 2021. Better signage for better access The redesign of the signage to get to the Eiffel Tower is an important initiative, so that one of the most visited landmarks in the world becomes even more accessible for all its visitors. The program will improve the signs, and provide better signage layout for the surrounding garden areas and inside the monument. An innovative ticketing system Last but not least, SETE will undertake…
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Lead photo credit : The Eiffel Tower and the Pont Alexandre III. Photo: Sarah Fauvel

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Sarah Fauvel hails from Rouen, Normandy. She is a Paris-based journalist, editorial and fine art photographer, her longtime passion. The beauty of Normandy (birthplace of Impressionism) and her grandfather's art imbued her childhood with artistic vitality. From an early age, Sarah has found inspiration for photography and writing while walking in the footsteps of these artists. She has developed visual storytelling and writing expertise over the course of her career. She loves to tell stories through images and informative captions. Her photos have been displayed in an association dedicated to the international community based in Paris. She has previously lived in the United States.

Comments

  • Sarah
    2019-07-15 06:34:18
    Sarah
    Hi Sam, It is difficult to precisely predict the extent of the construction sites as the work schedule may evolve by June 2020. What is certain is that the Eiffel Tower is not expected to be totally covered in scaffolding. I would advise to regularly look at the website of the SETE, the Eiffel Tower Operating Company, to find out more about the current works: https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/news/works I hope you will find this information useful. Enjoy your trip to Paris!

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  • Sam Upjohn
    2019-06-26 12:21:06
    Sam Upjohn
    Hi Sarah, we are planning to visit Paris in June 2020. Will the refurbishing detract from the beauty of the Eiffel Tower and not make it worth seeing? Meaning would the Eiffel Tower be covered in scaffolding and we wouldn't be able to enjoy its beauty? We were in London last year (2018) and the Big Ben was totally covered in scaffolding, it didn't even look like Big Ben, that was a disappointment. You said that it'll take 15 years to complete the refurbishing so it's not like we can adjust our plans by a few months, we're talking years here. So would June 2020 be a good time to visit the Eiffel Tower? Would appreciate some feedback and guidance. Thank you very much.

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  • Sarah Fauvel
    2018-05-15 13:46:44
    Sarah Fauvel
    I am so sorry for my belated reply Bea! And thank you so much for your comment! I am glad that you like the photos of the Iron Lady.

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  • Sarah Fauvel
    2018-05-15 13:42:13
    Sarah Fauvel
    I apologize for my belated reply Jill. Thank you so much for your comment. I confirm that, even if the North Elevator is undergoing a three-year restoration, the lift to go to the top will be in operation later this year. There will not be any services disruption during the refurbishments. I hope that you will enjoy the new Eiffel Tower experience!

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  • Jill
    2018-05-08 12:41:26
    Jill
    Wonderful article and helpful for me to know what to expect when I visit this fall! Will the elevator to the very top still be in operation later this year?

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  • beatriz
    2018-05-07 02:47:44
    beatriz
    beautifuls photos !!

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