Guess what’s the new addition to Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower!

No, it is not something fancy to attract more tourists.

Published: February 14, 2017 12:59 PM IST

By Dilip Merala

Eiffel Tower

The iconic Eiffel Tower is one of the most prominent buildings not just in Paris but the whole world. Standing tall at 324 metres, it is often synonymous with France for tourists. The tallest structure in Paris, the Eiffel Tower was built in 1887-89 as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair and has come to be known as a global cultural icon. It has three levels for visitors, with popular restaurants on the first and second levels. The top level’s upper platform which is at a height of 276 m is the highest observation deck accessible to the public in the European Union. And now, the Eiffel tower is all set to have another addition. But, it is not a fancy new restaurant or a ostentatious decorative piece. It is a 2.4-metre-high protective, bullet-proof glass shield that will surround the tower base. ALSO SEE 16 stunning photos of France that will make you want a vacation!

The construction of this bullet-proof glass shield is a step taken as a safety measure against terrorism. Thanks to the shield, officials will be able to prevent the entry of suspicious entrants and vehicles. Tourists visiting the tower will need to clear security checks, which include furnishing an ID and going through metal detectors regardless of whether they want to go to the top or not. This protective shield will replace the temporary metal fences on the north and south sides of the tower base. As per Jean–Francois Martins, assistant mayor for tourism, the metal fences are useful as a security measure but they ruin the view of the iconic monument. With the new galss wall, visitors will be able to enjoy unobstructed views of the tower from Champ de Mars and Iena Bridge.

Eiffel tower 2

The construction of the glass barrier is expected to cost around €20 million (Rs 142 crore). Once it gets all the approvals, the glass shield will go under construction around Autumn 2017. The larger plan includes maintenance works which may include great additions like modernized elevators and improved lights. There are also plans to reorganize the pathways around the monument for better crowd control. This is extremely essential given the huge number of tourists visiting the Eiffel tower. The whole project is quite ambitious costing around €300 million (Rs 2,200 crore) spread across the next 15 years. If all goes well, it will also reduce the infamous queue-to-climb time at the tower. NOW SEE 10 breathtaking photographs of what the world looks like from on top of these iconic landmarks!

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