A Paris vacation would not be complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower was built for the World's Fair in 1889, to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution. It may have been an ode to the revolution, but the Eiffel Tower is truly a modern marvel.

Designed by Gustave Eiffel, it is 320 meters high. It was the tallest building in the world until 1930. Now a Paris staple, there was actually much uproar over the tower when it was first built. The metal mesh of the tower is in stark contrast to the cobblestone streets of Paris, but the Eiffel Tower still has its own kind of beauty.

When radiotelegraphy was introduced, the Eiffel Tower proved useful as a giant antenna, and so it was spared being torn down by the Paris elite. Believe it or not, the Eiffel Tower was almost torn down in 1909. Now the Eiffel Tower is as synonymous with the city as pastry and wine.

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Until you actually stand at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower, you cannot fully appreciate its artistry. You can see the tower from most anywhere in the city, and when you see it up close it resembles a gigantic statue more than a conventional building. Even if you're afraid of heights, the Eiffel Tower is worth a visit on any Paris vacation, just to see it up close.

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