2.5 million rivets. 1665 stairs. A EUR 26 ticket for the lift to the top. While you can walk the steps to the first observation deck if you want, (and frankly many people do), most end up in the elevators making stops at three levels, creating gigabytes of selfies to last a lifetime.
Finishing up the tour generally comprises a glass of wine at the Le 58 Tour Eiffel, a shot of Macaroons at the divinely tasteful macaroon bar and for those who have all the money in the world, a full course Michelin Star meal at the Le Jules Verne Restaurant.
I don't drink that much, couldn't really bother with booking a Michelin star meal months in advance (which was way too expensive) and failed at getting decent pictures, with elbows and heads adorning almost every single frame.
And yet I felt happy.
I loved the macaroons and Gustav Eiffel's small little office right at the top of the Tower, overlooking Paris. Sweeping vistas across the Champs De Mar, Jardines Du Trucadero, Montparnesee, the loop of the river Seine and the 15th Arrondissement.
There was this curious sense of satisfaction.