The Paris of Gustave Eiffel
Posted in Paris le
Created in 2004 but only opened to the public in 2007, the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine remains undeservedly less popular than some other museums in Paris. However, this intriguing place, housed in a wing of the Palais de Chaillot at the Trocadéro, presents incredibly rich permanent collections and exciting temporary exhibitions. Tracing the long history of architecture and bringing it into dialogue with French heritage, the Cité could not fail to commemorate, in its own way, the centenary of the death of Gustave Eiffel, the brilliant designer of the iconic monument which bears his name. Take advantage of your stay in the 16th arrondissement at the Hôtel Auteuil Tour Eiffel by visiting this exhibition entitled The Paris of Gustave Eiffel. It’s scheduled to run until January 9th, 2024.
An unusual personality
Gustave Eiffel was not an architect. However, as an engineer, scientist, visionary, and entrepreneur ready to take advantage of the rapid technical progress of the 19th century, his talents were considerable. One of the objectives of this exhibition is to place the man in his historical context to show how much he was a character of his time, particularly in his use of metallurgy to create large and height-spanning structures. In doing so, he responded to the challenges of the day, building factories and bridges, among other accomplishments. The exhibition also shows the visionary side of Eiffel and his contribution to the transformation of Paris in the second half of the 19th century, a transformation in which he participated extensively, although in a less recognised way. Imagining a modern, functional, vibrant city, he brought the urban space into a new century.
A very rich exhibition
Through the windows of the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, you can see the majestic Iron Lady, who dominates the area from her almost 300 metres of height. The Paris of Gustave Eiffel effectively brings the famous tower into dialogue with the Statue of Liberty. Although the symbol of New York was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the artist nevertheless called on Eiffel to resolve the technical challenges imposed by the sheer size of the project. This back and forth between the two is illustrated by numerous documents of various kinds, as well as photographs, plans, drawings, models, and digital tools. You will learn about the great man and his collaborators, life at the time, and the activities in the Eiffel workshops. The different reading levels make the exhibition attractive to architecture and history enthusiasts as well as to neophytes and the curious.
During your stay at the Hôtel Auteuil Tour Eiffel, don’t miss The Paris of Gustave Eiffel. In addition to discovering the incredible creative vitality of this extraordinary man, you will find out more about the upheavals that Paris experienced during the 19th century. It will also be an opportunity to stroll along the splendid Trocadéro esplanade, a veritable balcony overlooking the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.
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Photo : Ken
Hotel Auteuil Tour Eiffel, a 4-star hotel in the heart of Paris 16th arrondissement