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How you can own a piece of the Eiffel Tower
Few things emblemize Europe as well as the Eiffel Tower. The iconic structure is visited by, I imagine, hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, if not more. When I look at the Eiffel tower, I see crowds, over-priced souvenirs and the chance to pay a ridiculous price just to be stuffed into an elevator. But I'm a cynic -- I'm sure others look at the Eiffel Tower and see the glory of France. And if you're one of those people, here's your chance to own a piece of the Eiffel Tower: French auction house Drouot is auctioning off a section of the original staircase that has since been replaced with the aforementioned elevators. The 15-foot, 1,543-lb structure is expected to fetch about 30,000 euros.
Also:
Gallery: France: The Eiffel Tower
Filed under: Business
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Collector Nov 8th 2007 1:24PM
Afraid shipping charges will kill this deal for me.
Charles Nov 12th 2007 9:00PM
Martha Edwards, there are millions who visit Paris every year, something like 20 million visit France every year...You sound horribly envious. If someone spoke of our icons the way you trash the Eiffel tower, I'd be upset. If someone diminished the Chrisler building, or our national monument the same way, we'd all be upset. You probably don't have the proper table manners to be accepted in the European circles you wish to be accepted in. It must be lonely to pig out on croissants and horrible big macs when you dont' know what else to order.
Martha Edwards Nov 12th 2007 9:11PM
Hi Charles,
Thanks for your interest in my post, but I'll be honest, I don't really understand your reaction to it. Calling the Eiffel tower crowded isn't exactly trashing it, and regardless, I am entitled to my opinion, just as you are yours. I think France is an amazing place, and I really enjoyed my visit to the Eiffel tower, even if I don't want to stand in a horrendous line-up to see it again. And for the record, I've never even had a big mac.
Chris Nov 12th 2007 9:33PM
SNAP! Martha 1, Charles ZERO!!!
Love your postings Martha, unfortunatly Charles probably doesn't read Gadling, and the only reason he stumbled upon it was because you post was linked on the AOL homepage today.
So just like the Eiffel tower, Gadling too can get crowded with unwelcomed tourists... Ha!
Martha Edwards Nov 12th 2007 9:35PM
Chris,
Thanks for your comment -- It made my day :)
Gunny Nov 12th 2007 9:56PM
I think they should melt down the steel and make a monument for all the men who lost their lives in order to give that town the freedom it has today. Then place it at the bottom of the tower for everyone to look at and remember the ones who gave the true sacrifice for freedom.
Just my 2 cents worth, an old washed up Vietnam Vet...
Josh Nov 13th 2007 12:10AM
france folks are cowards that support terrorism by not being with the US in iraq, who cares about the tower
mike Nov 13th 2007 12:55AM
I liked the comment gunny had about where the cost of freedom lies....
Pamela Nov 13th 2007 11:03AM
Did I miss the good things you were saying about the Eiffel Tower? All I read was crowded, over-priced, and stuff elevators. Oh, you are sure "others...see the glory." Yes, that is the good thing.
Since your piece is about the stairs, you can climb the ones that are left, which is a fantastic view, for 4 euro and there is very little waiting! The souvenirs and the stairs aren't that expensive. However, they are when you take into account that the the dollar is currently $1.47 to the euro!
I love the Eiffel Tower. I think you can tell. There is no mistaking that I'm "trashing" it.
pamela Nov 13th 2007 2:26AM
Gunny, if you were in France this past Sunday to see the memorial ceremony for the end of WWI, you would know that the French are very serious in honoring their military heroes. I can't even begin to describe the effort. Suffice it to say, that in addition to the ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, every appropriate monument, placque, even street signs, in Paris (France) are decked with memorial flowers, and that is the smallest detail. I wish you could have seen it. I was so impressed with the marching of the Republican Guard across Paris to the ceremony, it made my whole day. Again, that was just one small portion of the day's events.
Web Nov 13th 2007 11:19AM
Why? It is just rusty junk.
Ben Nov 13th 2007 6:06PM
When did "emblemize" become a word? What does it mean?
Did you mean "epitomize?"
Martha Edwards Nov 13th 2007 6:13PM
Hey Ben,
I'm not sure if it's a real Oxford Dictionary word but I've heard it used quite commonly:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/emblemize
Cheers,