Love, and the Eiffel Tower
By Sadra Sumner
“A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.”
-Thomas Jefferson
Cupid’s big day is just around the corner, but social distancing isn’t exactly making it easy on the love bug this year. For those of you who can’t be with your loved one on Valentine’s Day, we’d like to share our favorite love stories that involve one of the global icons of amour, The Eiffel Tower.
Did you know that the original color of the Eiffel Tower’s was red?
How lovely! The Tower’s wardrobe has changed over the decades. It was inaugurated in the color ‘Venice-red’ and it would later change every few years, incorporating various hues of yellow, red, & brown before landing on its current layer, ‘Eiffel Tower Brown’. This official paint color is made up of three variations that help to maintain the Tower’s visual appeal.
Isn’t there someone who is married to the Eiffel Tower?
Sort of, although it’s been a rocky road. Erika Eiffel kicked off her romance with the Eiffel Tower (that’s right, with!) in 2004. She identifies as an objectùm-sexual, or someone who feels a human-like connection to objects. Erika tied the knot with Gustave’s Tower in 2007, and was later the focus of negative media attention during a visit to her beloved. She has since faced the harsh reality that maybe her and la dame de fer just aren’t right for each other, and she’s taken up solace in the arms of the Berlin Wall. Erika is a professional archer and at one point in time, was working as a tower crane operator. She claimed to have formed relationships with both her bow and the crane.
Aren’t there a few famous people who got engaged on the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of love all around the world, so it comes as no surprise that proposals happen here daily. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes made their morning engagement at the summit of the Eiffel Tower worldwide news in 2005. Aaron Paul of breaking bad fame proposed to his wife, Lauren Parsekian, as they strolled from the Eiffel Tower to a small courtyard in 2012.
Already having secured the proposal (and wedding!) Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon decided to celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary with a trip to Paris and a one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower that money can buy. And the one and only Queen Bee and her hubby Jay-Z make it a point to not be a stranger to Paris. Blue Ivy even got a taste of bike-riding in Versailles!
Has the Eiffel Tower ever experienced rejection?
Believe it or not, yes! Before becoming one of the world’s most recognized structures, even the Eiffel Tower was tossed aside. Gustave Eiffel presented his iron tower idea to the city of Barcelona for their 1888 Universal Exposition. The Catalan capital claimed that it would be too expensive, and they sent him packing. Luckily, the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris corresponded with the 100 year anniversary of the French Revolution, so the French accepted this rather odd addition to other inventors, scientists, and thinkers of the time, all with their submissions to the celebration. The Tower would serve as the main entrance archway to the fair.
Gustave continued to defy rejections by finding a way to keep his tower standing after the initial plans were to dismantle it after 20 years. During WWI, the Eiffel Tower intercepted German radio transmissions, making it an extremely useful piece of equipment. Gustave made his case to the French once again, and they replied, ‘d’accord’, and agreed to leave it be.
Will we always have Paris?
While Paris is undergoing the same lockdown measures as many other major cities, we have no doubt that the City of Light will one day spring to life again. The motto of Paris is fluctuat nec mergitur, which comes from the days when the capital was just a small fishing village and relied on the River Seine for all transport and commerce. This latin phrase translates to ‘tossed, but does not sink’.
Paris’ resilience can also be evidenced through multiple revolutions, coup d’états, attacks, floods, and dog poo on every corner. Parisians have made a sport of navigating the minefield of their furry friends’ besoins. They are truly lovers and fighters, and their city is definitely worth fighting for.
Considering popping the question to that special someone?
We’d love to assist! Book a private Eiffel Tower Tour with us and allow our staff to help you setup the big question.
