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A significant piece of Parisian history, a section of the original spiral staircase from the Eiffel Tower, has been sold at auction for over 450,000 euros. The sale highlights the enduring fascination with the iconic landmark.

A Priceless Piece of History

The auctioned segment of the staircase measures approximately 2.7 meters in height and comprises 14 steps. It originally connected the second and third levels of the Eiffel Tower, serving as the ascent route for visitors during the 1889 World's Fair, an event for which the tower was initially constructed by engineer Gustave Eiffel.

The piece, weighing nearly 1.4 tons, had been held in a private collection for over 40 years. Before its sale, specialists who work with the Eiffel Tower meticulously restored it.

Why the Staircase Was Removed

In 1983, during renovation work on the tower, the staircase between the second and third floors was dismantled. At the time, it was deemed a safety risk for visitors and was replaced by modern elevators.

Following its removal, the structure was cut into 24 separate sections. Today, individual pieces can be found in various locations worldwide, including the Statue of Liberty in New York, museums in Japan, private gardens, and even Disneyland. Other sections have become part of major private collections.

The Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair, was initially intended as a temporary structure. However, it quickly became a symbol of Paris and remains one of the most visited landmarks globally.

The winning bid came from a French collector who wished to remain anonymous, significantly exceeding the pre-auction estimate of 120,000-150,000 euros.