Eiffel Tower

This structure, built by Gustave Eiffel, first served as the dramatic entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair. Originally intended as a temporary exhibit, there were objections to his eponymous structure among many Parisians, who considering it everything from a garish eyesore to dangerously flawed engineering. Le tour Eiffel has since become one of the world's premier attractions, delighting millions of tourists every year.

Constructed of wrought iron and 2.5 million rivets, this phallic symbol stands almost 10,000 feet tall, and was the highest man-made structure in the world for 41 years after its completion. To get a sense of the Eiffel Tower’s mass, every seven years it gets a facelift, which requires 50 tons of paint.

The lattice-work tower's four massive feet are oriented to the points of the compass. Entering any one of them, visitors can ride an elevator to each of three levels. The motif-driven gourmet restaurant on the second level is colorfully named Le Jules Verne, and while not for the budget conscious, promises a meal and a view that you won’t soon forget. The top level boasts what used to be Gustave Eiffel's private apartment, and now displays life-like models of Gustave entertaining guests.

The most dramatic vision of the tower is at night, when it is illuminated by 336 spotlights. There are also hourly light shows, and interestingly, when lighted the tower is deemed a copyrighted work of art. Whether seen as an architectural wonder, structural art, or as a cultural icon, this tower is one of the most impressive sights in the World. Day or night.