The Eiffel Tower is among the world’s most recognizable structures and most-visited monuments. But when it was built in 1889, it was criticized by local intellectuals and artists who were against the design and scale of the project. On this walking tour, I’ll share the history of Paris’ tallest and best-loved monument and show you the ideal vantage points to see the city’s Iron Lady. Starting in Trocadéro Gardens, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Tower from all the spots where professional photographers take their customers to make life-long memories. While you walk from the gardens to Pont de Bir-Hakeim (Bir-Hakeim Bridge), I’ll tell you about the former Trocadéro Palace and the current Palais de Chaillot (Chaillot Palace) which houses various museums, including Musée de l’Homme. From the bridge, you’ll see the man-made Île aux Cygnes (Swan Island) and La France Renaissante (France Reborn), a statue made in the likeness of Joan of Arc that commemorates the end of World War II. Along with learning about the Eiffel Tower’s construction, you’ll also have a chance to: • Hear about the workers who risked their lives to build the 81-story structure • Find out why the Tower was almost destroyed in 1909 • Understand Eiffel Mania and why so many smart people made incorrect predictions about whether it would become a beloved icon of Paris • Learn how the Tower has been used for science experiments ranging from aerodynamics to studying 5G networks • Discover where to find a bit of Japanese culture in the city center • See Paris’ very own miniature Statue of Liberty, a gift from French expats in America • Stroll along Promenade d’Australie, a dirt path next to the Seine River, on your way to the Tower This 45-minute tour ends on Champ de Mars, the large green park in front of the Tower. Our tour is only 2km, but I’ll point out a few places where you might like to take a break so you can make the most of your visit to Paris’ icon. Please note, this tour doesn’t include tickets to go up the Tower. I recommend you go to the [Tour Eiffel website](https://www.toureiffel.paris/en) to get your tickets online rather than stand in line. The tour also includes tips about how to get through security quickly.