The Secret Apartment At The Top Of The Eiffel Tower

Opened in 1889, the Eiffel Tower is an iconic building, recognized throughout the world. For many people it was an impressive news that the Tower contains a secret apartment within its highest level. Owned by Gustav Eiffel, the engineer who designed the tower, this apartment was fully decorated and frequently used for social gatherings with individuals, including Thomas Edison.

What many people don’t know about the tower is that the highest levels—which after several decades are now open to the public—play host to a private apartment built specifically for Gustav Eiffel, the engineer who designed the tower. Unlike the complex iron-weaved tower in which it lies, it was furnished in a simple manner and contained all the trappings of a modest 19th-century Parisian home, including carpets, wallpaper, cabinets, and a small bedroom. Despite this, the apartment was the envy of much of the city; indeed, Eiffel reportedly received several substantial offers for a single night in the apartment. Needless to say, such was his attachment to this highly coveted private space that he turned them all down.

Alongside these furnishings, the apartment also contained a grand piano. This formed the centerpiece of the many parties that were held by Eiffel during his stays in Paris. As many of his guests were dignitaries and other influential men of the age, these gatherings—despite often continuing into the early hours of the morning—were not raucous affairs. On September 10, 1899, one such visitor was Thomas Edison, who wiled away hours with Eiffel smoking cigars, drinking cognac, and discussing Edison’s latest invention, the phonograph.