For more than two hundred years, the Eiffel Tower has served as an icon of Paris and one of the most visited places in the world. However, for a long time there was a major mystery: at the top of this grandiose structure there is a small but cozy apartment consisting of only two adjacent rooms. For many years, only a select few knew what it was created for and by whom.
The secret of the secret room
In the very center of Paris, an impressive giant iron structure has appeared, conceived by French engineer Gustave Eiffel as a temporary structure. It was supposed to be erected at the beginning of the international exhibition dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, and then dismantled.
So far, the tower has not been named after its creator, which is absolutely not associated with the future symbol of Paris. Eiffel himself simply called it a “three-hundred-meter tower.”
The construction of this monumental structure took two years and the whole period was accompanied by indignation and open discontent of society. The tower has been described as “grotesque”, “tasteless” and “clumsy”. Even the “anti-tower movement” took on the task of collecting signatures, demanding the immediate destruction of this structure.
For the engineer Gustave Eiffel himself, this was a rather unpleasant experience, and he had to continuously prove the usefulness and expediency of his work. The sudden idea to create a secret apartment at a height of 285 meters became a kind of salvation from all the difficulties associated with the two-year construction of the tower and criticism directed against his work.
Here, in this secluded architectural retreat, Gustave Eiffel could finally relax, feeling untouchable, like a bird in flight. Looking at his beloved city spread out in front of him from a height, or meeting his close friends, Eiffel found his island of tranquility in this hidden corner.
During the first years after its construction, only a select few knew about the existence of this hidden apartment. One of the secret visitors was Eiffel’s closest friend, the American inventor Thomas Edison. This cozy apartment at the top of the tower was a true refuge for the engineer, a place where he could enjoy the views and moments of tranquility, breaking away from the worries and bustle of the construction of the Eiffel Tower.
How the room stopped being a mystery
During the first year after the opening of the Eiffel Tower, its high-rise floors received almost two million curious visitors. By buying entrance tickets and admiring the outstanding architecture of the tower, they contributed to the financing of this monumental project. Foreign tourists mostly admired the intricate structure of the tower and the breathtaking panoramic views of Paris, but for a long time there was discontent among the French about this new architectural dominant in their city.
Despite some opposition, the Eiffel Tower brought in substantial revenues, which soon convinced the authorities to abandon the idea of dismantling it. After the construction was completed, a lighthouse was installed on top of the tower, which illuminated the way for passing aircraft. With the development of television, a television antenna was installed on the tower. These innovations helped the Eiffel Tower to find its permanent place in the center of Paris and Gustave Eiffel to become world famous.
Rumors about the private residence of Engineer Eiffel slowly spread among the highest French society. Some came to the tower in search of a hidden entrance to a secret apartment, others wrote fervent letters to the architect begging to be allowed to see it, and others were willing to pay a tidy sum for a night in this mysterious tomb in the sky.
Gustave Eiffel treated every suggestion of visiting his secret apartment with real tenacity. He didn’t want his cozy hideout to turn into a new tourist attraction. Over the years, the engineer spent more and more time in this hidden corner and enjoyed solitude, imbued with the inspiration that the tower brought him. During the First World War, he became so attached to his tower that he refused to leave Paris and took responsibility for installing powerful searchlights and equipment for radio interception of enemy communications.
And what’s inside?..
The secret apartment at the top of the Eiffel Tower was a secluded corner for the French engineer, where he enjoyed tranquility and inspiration for many years. This cozy space was located in the heart of the highest steel structure of its time. The apartment included two adjoining rooms with a modern design for that time.
Gustave Eiffel made efforts to turn this place into a comfortable refuge. Inside its walls, one could see exquisite oriental design, wallpaper with beautiful patterns, luxurious carpets, and the walls were decorated with valuable paintings and engravings in gilded frames. The furniture was made of dark wood and had an antique and refined look. Despite the height at which the apartment was located, Eiffel even managed to install a piano, which gives it a special charm.
The Secret Room today
Gustave Eiffel lived a long and eventful life, passing away from this world only at the age of 91, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. After his departure from eternal memory, the secret apartment, like the Eiffel Tower, came into the possession of Paris. For many years, it remained closed and secret, disappearing into oblivion.
However, a century later, in 2015, this mysterious room was recreated and opened to tourists. The original interior and atmosphere from the time of Gustave Eiffel have been recreated with precision to the smallest detail.
Inside the museum’s apartment you will find three wax figures reviving past times: Gustave Eiffel, sitting on one of the chairs, is having a conversation with the American inventor Thomas Edison. In the background, at the table, you can see Gustave Eiffel’s daughter Claire, creating a recreated image of the times of their family meetings.
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