Who Was Paris's Most Exclusive Apartment Built For… Inside the Eiffel Tower? (8 Photos)

For over a century, the iconic Eiffel Tower has served as the ultimate symbol of Paris. Its silhouette is instantly recognizable worldwide, as is the story of its construction. Millions have climbed to the observation decks of this engineering marvel, yet few know one fascinating secret: nestled at the very top is a real apartment, built alongside the tower itself. Who was it meant for, and what's inside today?





The Story Behind Paris's Most Exclusive Apartment

The secret apartment atop the Eiffel Tower was designed by its creator himself. Gustave Eiffel thought it would be wonderful to have a private retreat 300 meters in the air to admire sweeping panoramic views of Paris. He wasn't bothered by the fact that the tower was originally meant to be a temporary structure, scheduled for dismantling after the 1889 World's Fair.



The apartment is located in this part of the tower

As history would have it, the tower still stands today—and with it, the architect's cozy apartment. By modern standards, it is surprisingly compact, spanning just 30 square meters. It consists of just two rooms: a living area that doubled as a bedroom, and a study. Thanks to ceilings over three meters high, the space feels remarkably airy rather than cramped.





Reaching the apartment required climbing a narrow spiral staircase from one of the tower's upper platforms. While not the most convenient climb, Eiffel was hardly expecting frequent visitors. He stayed there occasionally—whenever he craved solitude or needed to run calculations and scientific measurements on the tower itself.



Famous Guests and Wealthy Renters

The unique space high above Paris mostly welcomed fellow engineers and scientists. Among its most distinguished guests was Thomas Edison, a longtime friend of Eiffel's. On occasion, an elite circle would gather in the living room to debate science, politics, and the arts.



For a long time, the apartment remained a closely guarded secret. But once word leaked out, rumors spread like wildfire. Everyone was eager to catch a glimpse of the mastermind's hidden residence, though Eiffel had no intention of opening his doors to the public.



Gustave Eiffel

Legend has it that a wealthy industrialist once offered Eiffel an astronomical sum to rent the apartment for a single night, instantly making this tiny residence the most expensive real estate in Paris. Eiffel firmly declined, insisting the space was a technical facility integral to the tower. He was telling the truth: his study was used for key scientific research, including astronomical and meteorological observations, as well as experiments measuring wind loads on the structure.



Stages of the Eiffel Tower's construction

Inside the Apartment Today

The apartment remained in Eiffel's possession until his death in 1923 at the age of 91. For decades afterward, the rooms sat untouched out of respect for his legacy. Almost a century later, in 2015, the private suite was restored and transformed into a small museum.



Today, visitors can view the original furniture Eiffel used, including his grand piano, rugs, books, and scientific instruments. The room also features three life-like wax figures depicting Eiffel, his daughter Claire, and Thomas Edison. So if you ever find yourself taking in the sweeping views from the top of the Eiffel Tower, be sure to pay a visit to the mastermind behind this engineering marvel.

The apartment at the top of the Eiffel Tower is a space where the spirit of the era and its creator's genius live on. Tucked away from public view, this historic hidden gem continues to fascinate tourists and historians alike. Would you love to spend a night in Gustave Eiffel's secret apartment? Let us know in the comments below!