Built for the Universal Exhibition celebrating the centenary of the French revolution, the Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889. It took 2 years to build, from 1st July 1887 to 31st March 1889 (planting of the flag at the summit). From the time of its inauguration, it proved a phenomenal success and two million people ascended the Tower.
The anticipated lifetime of the Eiffel Tower was no more than 20 years. It has changed colour several times, from reddish-brown to yellow ochre, brown and finally the bronze. It takes 25 painters a year to completely paint it.
