Paris 2021 - Day 3

Wednesday, October 27, 2021 - Day 3

Today is all about pure culture and we start with a bang: Opéra Garnier, also known as Palais Garnier. Opened in 1875, this Neo-Baroque building features an impressive marble staircase - everything here is lavish and opulent. However, there are also structural challenges: Below the opera house lies a groundwater collection basin, which is regularly inspected and drained by the fire department.

Our feet take us to the Place de la Concorde and through the Champs Elysées, climbing over 275 steps to the Arc de Triomphe (also free entry for EU citizens under 26). Wonderful views in all directions, including the Eiffel Tower, our main destination today.

By half past 3, we have arrived at the Champ de Mars to admire the mighty Eiffel Tower: 10,000 tons of special steel, 18,000 individual parts, 2.5 million rivets. Built from 1887 to 1889 by Gustave Eiffel for the World Exhibition of 1889 (100th anniversary of the French Revolution) with a height of 324 meters, reachable by climbing 745 steps to the 2nd observation deck. Originally, we wanted to take the elevator to the top, but 10 meters before the ticket counter, suddenly: