Standing in the now long line at the base of the Eiffel Tower I looked up in amazement at the large iron structure which just kept going on and on up up into the sky. A bust of Gustave Eiffel stood on one side dwarfed by the huge structure of the Eiffel Tower he himself built. Looking at it I wonder how he came up with such an idea. The winner among 107 projects tendered for the erection of an iron icon to mark the 100^th anniversary of the French Revolution. And this amazing structure had been completed in 2 years. I was truly full of awe; it is kind of unbelievable that a structure of this nature built in 1889 could still stand tall and strong today. As we wound through the now strict security measures in place at the entrance I reflected on it.

As we approached the entrance to the cable car station my body was taken over by the excitement and the thrill of it all. Climbing up the narrow iron stairs was not an option I wanted to select being rather unfit and rather exhausted after a day of sightseeing. As we glided up to the second Floor in the cable car I peered through the monstrous metal girders to catch a glimpse of the view. A clank and a bump and we were there. Everyone pushing towards the exit in sheer excitement.

I drew in a sharp breath as I peered through the iron trellis which had been installed to protected the visitors from falling off this magnificent building – the Eiffel Tower. You could see all of Paris. My thought immediately went to Gulliver in Lilliput. There below lay tiny buildings and even tinier cars whizzed around on tiny roads while teeny-weeny people walked on. Was this really the imposing Paris I had just walked around? The sun was shining on the buildings which made them look golden and brilliant. Unreal was the word. The shadow of the Eiffel tower fell across several buildings down below. Was I really standing here on top and being part of that shadow cast over a vast area of Paris?

Far beneath us, we could make out the Arc the Triomphe, the Notre Dame Cathedral and even the Sacre Coeur. The Siena river snaked its way around the city and boats plied this way and that carrying passengers, tourists and the likes. There were several bridges across the river as it snaked its way around. It was just beautiful.

The structure itself was huge, more than 2 ½ million huge riverts held the large iron girders together. It is said that four men were needed to assemble just one rivert. The riverts themselves were made in the factory and brought here to be assembled. The Eiffel Tower itself was originally built to last just 20 years but with the ongoing restorations it has lasted some many more years.

Now onto the line to go to the very top. The line was long and wound round like a snake. My legs ached from all the walking and standing. Ironically the same guy who had been in the queue behind us now stood before us, he let us pass. I could no longer stand. I squeezed myself and sat on the cross bar of the railing. He laughed. Yes legs were aching indeed he said. Finally we were whizzing up. To the zenith. It was indeed worth the wait. It was glorious. The sun had gone down in the sky. The entire paris was covered in a golden orange hue. The large ball of orange sun was setting, creating a beautiful picture. The sky a clear light blue with darker blue clouds softly floating about with the glow of the sunset in the middle and Paris below in a shroud of grey. The cars and people were just pin heads moving around. The city smaller than before but still amazing.

If you feel like really celebrating that you have indeed reached the top, the Champagne Bar offers you champagne or rosse wine by the glass for approx. euro 12-22. Opened daily from midday to 11.30 pm. Toast to the height!!

We were determined to stay on until the light of the city came on. So we sat on the ground in the corner. The wind was getting cold now and we were shivering. The light down below started to come on one by one. The Ferris wheel was one of the first to be lit up. We kept walking around from time to time to keep warm. We were thrilled to see the little apartment which Gustauve Eiffel had built where he with his daughter Clair hosted small parties for prestigious guests. It must have been so beautiful up there at the very top seated with the wind whipping your hair and sipping champagne and eating the best of French food. Unfortunately, the apartment is now closed and we were unable to go inside.

As darkness closed in, the lights of the city shone like little twinkling stars. The dome of the Notre Dame shone bright above the darkness below. The lights of the boats ran this way and that down the river casting light on the water so that the ripples could be seen even up here. And far away a strobe beamed its light into the sky and twirled around from time to time. It was magical, it was unbelievable it is a sight you just cannot miss.

The new First floor is a treat with its transparent floor and glass balustrade. As you step on to the glass floor you get the sensation of stepping out into the void. The view is breathtaking. There is also an Immersion show projected onto 3 walls by 7 projectors which plungers you in to the world of the Eiffel tower. The touch screens, digital albums, reproductions of items etc gives you a more realistic view into the tower. There is also an area for resting, restaurants shops and facilities in the Ferrier Pavilion. The new Gustave Eiffel Room is a reception room for professional events.