A new story? Yes! As unbelievable as it sounds it looks like they are going to add a new floor to the iron lady... But don't go thinking that you're going to have to walk up another flight of stairs as this extra floor will be... underground. There would actually be two new stories and they will be used to install the ticket booth, a museum, a kids' corner, a luggage locker, etc. This way the city hopes to offer a better greeting to the 6+ million visitors each year.
Messrs. Eiffel would be proud -- from all accounts, he was a very social person.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see it in person.
ReplyDeletewww.ecklection.com
EIFFEL TOWER!
ReplyDeleteEIFFEL TOWER!!
EIFFEL TOWER!!!
Special news and an AWESOME PHOTO all at once!! This will be my desktop wallpaper for a long time.
Very interesting news! And to think that before she was built, there were some who were vehemently opposed to her construction. Glad they didn't prevail!
ReplyDeleteI'm all for making things better, but I'm glad that the changes will be underground so everything will still look the same as it always has. Plus, one of the most awesome things to do when visiting the Eiffel Tower is to walk directly beneath it and look straight up.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I don't feel safe having a luggage locker at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower...
ReplyDeleteThe public area below the ET at the moment is not a nice place. If the snaking queues, armed gendarmes, and fleet-footed shysters can be moved, that is all for the good.
ReplyDeleteHope it helps. As others have noted the area under la tour is a mess!
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It sounds lovely. Can't wait to see La Tour and give her a big hug! Yep, that's what I'm going to do!
ReplyDeleteEric, I have long ago given up hoping to ever 'climb' the ET, I've simply better things to do than standing in a cue for over 2 hours... I now suggest to everybody to take the ultra fast and comfy elevator of la Tour Montparnasse where you can SEE the Eiffel Tower and much more - and it's cheaper too.
ReplyDeleteI feel often quite 'harassed' by all the mess, the sellers, the beggars etc who approach everybody on two feet. And although I am multilingualthere is no stopping of getting approached at every step. Maybe I look not Parisienne enough?
Lovely photo and very interesting news though; thank you - I shall follow up those info. And the link on Wiki is very interesting, nearly, very nearly 7Mio visitors last years.... a.m.a.z.i.n.g.
Eric, Thank you for the breaking news and the link to the visitor numbers. I recently acquired an entry ticket to the Eiffel when it opened in 1889 -- No. 812,271!:)
ReplyDeleteGreat news, Trishia! How long have you been waiting in line with that ticket?
ReplyDeleteIt is a mess under the tower, and yes the tchotchke sellers are irritating. It's that way at every tourist spot. I got so fed up in Milan I yelled at one guy to go away. Can't blame people for trying to make a euro, I suppose. It will be interesting to see what happens with the new Eiffel Tower plans.
Like Michael, I won't be leaving my luggage there—but if this plan helps with all the congestion, that'll be a good thing. Although it's always fun to look down and see the looong lines (but only if you've managed to circumvent them).
ReplyDelete@Kiki "I feel often quite 'harassed' by all the mess, the sellers, the beggars etc who approach everybody on two feet. And although I am multilingualthere is no stopping of getting approached at every step. Maybe I look not Parisienne enough?" Don't go thinking that! I too get harassed by them!
ReplyDelete@Trishia " I recently acquired an entry ticket to the Eiffel when it opened in 1889 -- No. 812,271!:)" Really?? Wow, where did you get that?
@Jeff "Great news, Trishia! How long have you been waiting in line with that ticket?" LOOOOOOOL!
THanks as ever for the photo and the news, Eric.
ReplyDeleteKiki - The strategy that worked for me: I went off season on the slowest time and day of the week, bought my ticket in line and it took about 15 mins.
Michael, I agree with no luggage below the tower - sounds like an invitation for a bomb to go off. Otherwise, it sounds like a dream!!
Awww... Superb!
ReplyDeleteEric, I'd tell you where I got my 1889 Eiffel Ticket, but ... you know the saying about classified information? "I'd tell you but then I'd have to kill you!" ha!:) I made an original collage out of it and I have copies of it I sell in my online store: http://www.zibbet.com/FrenchKissed/artwork?artworkId=854371
ReplyDelete@Jeff:)
ReplyDelete@Trishia Just saw them. OK I'm officially impressed LOL (And I DO understand you don't want to disclose you sources - and I don't want you to kill me!
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