From 300 to 330 meters: the story of the Tower’s height
Thursday 28 April 2022
Modified the 27/02/24
Without the Eiffel Tower, radio then television broadcasting would not have moved forward as quickly in France. And without radio and TV, the Eiffel Tower would not have gained so much height !
Before it was called the Eiffel Tower, it was known as the 300-meter (984-foot) tower!
At its official opening, the tower was actually 1,024 feet tall, thanks to its gigantic mast and the French flag that flew at the top for several decades.
1949: a new television antenna enabled a “high-definition” 819-line transmitter to be installed, adding ten feet to the height of the Tower and enabling two programs to be broadcast simultaneously!
Television was advancing in strides. A new antenna added ten feet to the height of the Tower. Now two programs could be broadcast simultaneously!
In 1957, installation of new equipment enabled three television channels to transmit programs in 819 lines. The Tower reached a height of 1,052 feet.
In 2000, the arrival of digital terrestrial television saw a new UHF (Ultra High Frequency) antenna installed, taking the Tower to a height of 1,063 feet.
1889
When it was first built, before taking the name of its creator, the Eiffel Tower was called the “300m Tower”. It was exactly 984 feet tall. However, on its inauguration day on March 31, it was topped by a large flagpole from which the French flag was flown, taking the height of the Tower to a little more than 312 meters (1,024 feet).
1949
The top of the Tower had somewhat changed since 1900, in particular with the addition of a small octagonal lounge just below the arches. Although the flag had disappeared, there was still a mast to which the first television antennas were attached as well as meteorology sensors and equipment. In October 1949, French television made a major leap forward with the installation of a new 3-meter television antenna for a “high definition” 819-line transmitter that allowed two programs to be broadcast simultaneously. At the time, the Tower still measured just over 312 meters (1,024 feet).
1957
The configuration of the top of the Tower was now very different, having been rebuilt after a fire in 1956. Television continued to progress and live broadcasting dishes were installed to broadcast three television channels in 819 lines, as well as a frequency modulation radio transmitter. All this new equipment took the Eiffel Tower to a height of 320,75 meters (1,050 feet)!
2000
The installation of a new UHF (Ultra High Frequency) antenna for Digital Terrestrial Television and its base which changed the height of the tower again, making it 324 meters tall (1,063 feet).
2022
The latest addition: +6 meters were gained following the installation of a new antenna dedicated to digital terrestrial radio (DAB+). The Eiffel Tower reached the height of 330 meters (1,083 feet) on March 15, 2022 thanks to this successful and dizzying operation carried out by helicopter. Which was a first !
Browse our resources on the links between the Tower and radio
Discover how did radio save the Tower
All about the Tower’s Scientific Uses
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Opening times & Ticket prices
Today :
09:30 - 00:00
Price :
29.40€
Take Paris’ most spectacular ride to the top for €29.40 or less (€29.40 for adult ticket with access to top by lift).
