A rare section of the original Eiffel Tower staircase has been sold at auction in Paris for approximately €450,000 ($523,000), highlighting renewed global fascination with one of France’s most iconic landmarks.
The 14-step spiral staircase section, dating back to 1889, was purchased by a French collector during an auction organized by Artcurial in Paris. Standing nearly three meters high and weighing around 1.4 tons, the piece significantly exceeded its estimated value of between €120,000 and €150,000.
The staircase originally connected the second and third floors of the Eiffel Tower, designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Paris World’s Fair, dw.com reports.
In 1983, sections of the historic spiral staircase were dismantled following the installation of elevators and divided into 24 separate pieces. Since then, the segments have become highly sought-after collector’s items displayed across the world, including at the Statue of Liberty and in private international collections.
Auction records show continued strong demand for these rare artifacts. In 2016, another 14-step section was sold to an Asian buyer for approximately €524,000, while a US collector paid a record €553,000 for a similar section in 2008.
According to Sabrina Dolla, Director of Art Deco Design at Artcurial Paris, the popularity of the Eiffel Tower has witnessed a major revival following the 2024 Summer Olympics, where the landmark featured prominently during ceremonies and global broadcasts.
Dolla noted that owning a piece of the Eiffel Tower represents more than acquiring a historic object, describing it as “buying a piece of Paris” and the symbolism associated with the French capital.
Standing 324 meters tall, the Eiffel Tower remains France’s most visited tourist attraction and one of the world’s most recognizable monuments.
