PARIS, France — The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic constructions on Earth. Standing 300 meters (984 feet) tall, it was the tallest man-made structure in the world from its completion in 1889 until the Chrysler Building was topped off in 1929.
Around six million tourists visit the landmark every year, and some like to test their endurance by climbing the stairs of "The Iron Lady."
"We have a lot of people doing it who want to do it, and enjoy it," Fredrick Dutriat, an Eiffel Tower tour guide, said."They feel like it's a challenge for them."
In all, there are more than 1,600 stairs that go up the tower. Visitors are only allowed to climb 674 of the stairs from the ground to the tower's second floor.
"If you are physically able to take the stairs, it's not a bad way to go," Dutriat said.
"It was very slow coming up, but I counted the stairs when I came 669 stairs, and I am proud of myself," tourist Jennifer Savage said.
Once you make it to the second floor, visitors can hop on one of five elevators to take to the observation deck. If you're not in the greatest of shape or the adventurous type, you can take the elevators from the ground too.
"It's not that hard," Dutriat said. "People think it's hard but if you're in good shape it's not that bad. The average time is 15 minutes to reach the second floor."
While it doesn't take being an Olympian to climb the Eiffel's steps, some athletes do get to race all the way to the top.
"Once [a] year there is a race from the ground level to the top floor so you can use those stairs. It's called 'The Vertical' so you can race to the top floor and the record is eight minutes," Dutriat said.
He added that taking the stairs is the way to go because the views are next level.
"Most are happy and excited to climb the tower," Dutriat said. "It's just a happy feeling all the time, you get the views all the way up."
The Eiffel Tower now measures 330 meters (1,083 feet) in height after TV and radio antennas were added in 1949, 1957, 2000 and 2022.