Gazing up, have you ever wondered how Paris landed in Las Vegas? Here we are at the Eiffel Tower. Not the original, of course. But a stunning half-scale replica that captures the spirit of the City of Lights.
The Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas stands 541 feet tall. It is a striking landmark on the Strip. Construction began in 1997. It opened with the rest of the Paris Las Vegas resort on September 1, 1999. The opening was marked by a spectacular firework display. French actress Catherine Deneuve flipped the switch.
Back in 1995, Bally Entertainment announced the Paris resort. They wanted to build it just south of Bally’s Las Vegas. The construction manager, Chanen Construction, was fired. Hilton acquired Bally Entertainment in 1996. Perini Building Company then took over as general contractor. In 1998, Hilton transferred ownership to Park Place Entertainment. Later, in 2003, it was renamed Caesars Entertainment.
The designer, Joel Bergman, consulted Gustave Eiffel’s blueprints. The replica’s architectural design came from Bergman’s firm. Martin & Peltyn provided the structural design. Schuff Steel built it using 5,000 tons of steel. The Eiffel Tower replica has faux rivets. These match the design of the original.
To get the lighting right, they needed permission from the mayor of Paris. They even took paint chips from the original tower to match the color. Precision mathematics ensured an exact half-scale replica. Modern touches were added. The legs are smoother than the original. Those 300,000 rivets are just for show.
The Eiffel Tower Experience gives amazing views of the Las Vegas Strip. An elevator takes you to the top. From there, you can see the Bellagio Fountains. The observation deck can hold up to 96 people.
The Eiffel Tower Restaurant is located 11 stories above ground. It offers French cuisine. Chef Jean Joho has been overseeing it for years.
Initially, there were plans for a full-size replica. But concerns about flight paths from McCarran Airport made them scale it down. Despite being smaller, it still offers the highest viewpoint on the Strip.
The facade of Paris Las Vegas includes replicas of other Paris landmarks. There is the Arc de Triomphe. Also, the Louvre, the Paris Opera House and the Musee d’Orsay are represented. Designers even traveled to France to study these landmarks.
The Eiffel Tower has appeared in movies. It was buried in sand in Resident Evil Extinction. It was also destroyed in Godzilla.
So, next time you’re in Vegas, take a moment to appreciate this marvel. The Eiffel Tower isn’t just a structure. It’s a symbol of Paris in the heart of Las Vegas. It is a blend of French elegance and Las Vegas spectacle.