A historic piece of the Eiffel Tower has sold for more than $500,000 at an auction in Paris, drawing strong attention from collectors around the world. The item is a rare section of the monument’s original staircase dating back to 1889.
The sale took place at the Artcurial Paris auction house. Bidders competed for a 14-step spiral staircase segment that once formed part of the iconic structure in the French capital.
The staircase section stands nearly 3 meters tall and weighs about 1.4 tons. It was originally part of the early design of the Eiffel Tower before sections of the staircase were removed and replaced with elevators.
The Eiffel Tower itself, located in Paris, was completed in 1889. The auctioned piece dates back to the same year, making it a highly valuable historical artifact tied directly to the monument’s early construction period.
According to auction officials, the piece sold for 450,160 euros, which is around $521,000. This price was nearly three times higher than its estimated value before the sale. The strong bidding reflected growing global interest in historic architectural pieces.
The auction house said the buyer was present in the room during the sale. The identity of the buyer was not disclosed.
Experts say that Eiffel Tower fragments are rare and highly sought after by collectors. Over the years, several sections of the original staircase have been sold and distributed around the world.
In the 1980s, a large portion of the staircase, totaling about 526 feet, was cut into smaller segments and auctioned. These pieces were sold to private collectors and institutions after the original staircase was removed during renovation work.
Today, some sections of the staircase are displayed in public spaces and museums. Others are held in private collections in different countries, including the United States and Japan. One known piece is located near the Statue of Liberty in New York, highlighting the global spread of these historic artifacts.
The Eiffel Tower remains one of the most visited landmarks in the world and a powerful symbol of French history and culture. Its architectural elements continue to attract strong interest from collectors and cultural institutions.
Organizers at the auction said interest in such items has grown in recent years. They linked this trend to major international events such as the Paris 2024 Olympics, which increased global attention on French landmarks.
The Paris 2024 Olympics helped boost visibility for iconic structures like the Eiffel Tower, which were prominently featured during the games.
Collectors value these pieces not only for their rarity but also for their historical and cultural significance. Each fragment represents a physical connection to one of the most famous structures ever built.
Auction officials say demand for unique historical artifacts remains strong, especially those linked to world-famous monuments. They expect continued interest in similar items in future sales.
