Before and after: travel back in time through photos

At 134 years old and counting, the Eiffel Tower has become the most iconic landmark in the Parisian landscape. Built at the time of the birth of photography, the monument's creation and first years of "life" were documented in photos. During this period, millions of visitors came to marvel at the Tower, from their first steps hundreds of feet off the ground, to the panoramic view over all of Paris. Though the Eiffel Tower's appearance and size has changed a little over the years, it has mainly stayed the same, while the city of Paris has been transformed in a big way.

So let's take a special journey back in time through the images below, in which photos from the Eiffel Tower's archives are perfectly superimposed on photos taken recently, in 2022.

From Port Debilly, right bank

In August 1888, the Tower's second floor had just been completed. And in the immediate surroundings, construction for other buildings in the forthcoming World Exhibition of 1889 had begun as well. The only thing that has stayed the same is the river boat floating down the Seine! Back then, this was a true mode of transport used frequently by Parisians needing to travel between the east and west of the city.

From the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, facing Trocadero

This iconic viewpoint shows Trocadero as visitors would have seen it from the second floor of the Tower at the time of the 1889 World Exhibition. At the time, the building located on Chaillot Hill was called the Palais du Trocadéro, built for the 1878 World Exhibition and surrounded by gardens. It was home to multiple museums and a ballroom grander than the Opéra Garnier. In 1937, the building was destroyed and replaced by the Palais de Chaillot that we know today.

From Port des Champs-Elysées, right bank

This view, with the Pont des Invalides in the foreground, dates back to 1900. That was the year that another World Exhibition was organized in Paris and our Eiffel Tower, 11 years old at the time, stood proudly over the Parisian landscape! This photo shows the splendid pavilions of foreign nations located along the Quai d’Orsay.  

From the Champ de Mars

The beautiful Champ de Mars at the time of the 1900 World Exhibition. You can see a wing of the huge, U-shaped Palais des Expositions that framed the Champ de Mars.

On the second floor, lower level

These two shots were taken nearly 120 years apart but in both, visitors are just as fascinated by the view! Although nowadays, safety measures have required the addition of metal grills on the guardrails to prevent falls.

On the second floor, upper level, Champ de Mars side

Since 1889, nearly 330 million people from all over the world have visited the Eiffel Tower. And there were a few changes in fashion between the “Belle Epoque” and the 2020s!

At the top of the Eiffel Tower, lower level

Upon exiting the elevators at the top of the Tower, visitors can stroll about and enjoy the 360° view over Paris through the windows, staying warm even in winter! In the 1900s, a small boutique sold souvenirs and postcards. Nowadays, visitors can look at the informative placards above the windows to locate landmarks in Paris and learn about the Tower's history and other tall towers around the world.

At the top of the Eiffel Tower, upper level

The telescopes at 906 feet high are still just as popular over 70 years later, for visitors to enjoy looking at all the details of the roofs and historic buildings of Paris. You can also see that the top has changed, with the addition of safety grills all the way around. Above, the very top has also transformed, with the addition of technical facilities and equipment and antennas for television and radio. 

Inside the East pillar

Just the same! The inside of the East pillar can be seen while you wait for the elevator to go up the Tower. It's one of the four “feet” that keep the Tower solid and stable.

In a passageway on the first floor

This postcard gives us a glimpse of the Tower's first floor in the early 1900s. And once again, we can compare the ambiance and facilities from over 120 years ago with today!

All images © SETE / 11h45