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At 274 m (899 ft), the view is stupendous from the third-level viewing gallery, stretching for 80 km (50 miles) on a clear day. You can also see Gustave Eiffel’s sitting room on this level.

The complex pattern of the girders, held together by 2.5 million rivets, stabilizes the tower in high winds. The 18,000 metal parts can expand up to 15 cm (6 in) on hot days.

A 292,000-watt lighting system makes the Eiffel Tower the most spectacular night-time sight in Paris. Illuminated for 10 minutes every hour, it forms a golden filigree against the dark sky.

Day or night, the best approach for a first-time view of the tower is from the Trocadéro (see Jardins du Trocadéro), which affords a monumental vista from the terrace across the Seine.

Located on the first level, this small museum tells the history of the tower through an audio- visual show. It includes footage of famous visitors to the tower, from Charlie Chaplin to Adolf Hitler.

You can walk the 360 steps to the 57 m (187 ft) high first level, or jump the lift queue by booking a table at the Altitude 95 restaurant. Mail your postcards at the post office.

At 115 m (377 ft) high, this is the location of the Jules Verne Restaurant, one of the finest in Paris for both food and views (see Le Jules Verne). The walk up from the first level is 700 steps.

The 1889 lift mechanism is still in operation and travels some 100,000 km (62,000 miles) a year. The lifts have limited capacity, so on busy days allow two hours to the top.

This bust of the tower’s creator, by Antoine Bourdelle, was placed below his remarkable achievement, by the north pillar, in 1930.

The long gardens of this former parade ground stretch from the base of the tower to the École Militaire (military school).