I Witnessed the Birth of the Eiffel Tower! (Paris 1887 Vlog)

7 million people a year come to see the Eiffel Tower. 7 million. And right now, there's nothing. Just mud, horses, and a couple of big holes. Welcome to Paris, January 1887. Today, I'll witness the Iron Lady rising. I'll climb to the very top. I'll explore Paris like never before. And one moment, I'll end up in the sewers. You won't blink. Let's go! Six months. That's it. When I left, this was a giant hole in the ground. Now there's iron 40 feet up. And guys hammering it together like it's nothing. Watch this. Out there, 300 men are building the tallest thing on Earth. Here, coffee, croissant, newspaper. And somehow, this is the most Parisian thing you can do. They wrote a hate letter on Valentine's Day. 47 artists called this tower useless and monstrous. Malpassant signed it and later ate lunch in the tower every day. The only place he couldn't see it. First apartment pour on Earth, 1852. Modern shopping was invented right here. And that iron skeleton inside? Eiffel built it 10 years before his tower. Wait till you see inside. Glass dome. Iron skeleton. Both Eiffel. See that cage on the right? Otis elevator. The same model going into his tower in two years. And anyone can walk in here now. That's the revolution. 18,000 iron pieces, all made at a factory across town. Each one accurate to a tenth of a millimeter. Then assembled here like a giant kit in 1887 without computers. That's just wild. Summer, 1887. Golden hour on the Seine. Four iron legs in the distance. Eight months from now, that's a tower. And I'll be back to see it. March, 1888. Last time I was here, this was four iron legs in the ground. Eight months later, 57 meters, 200 feet. The first platform is done. Look at her now. Le Chat Noir, the world's first modern cabaret. And that quiet pianist in the corner? Eric Sassy. He's 22. Nobody knows him yet. But trust me, they will. Right here at these tables, Paul Verralli writes poetry. Ink bottles instead of chocolate cups. See that double-decker? Paris invented it in 1853. 50,000 horses move this city every single day. And cars? Not for another six years. Right now, this is the future. Book sailors? They've worked this riverbank for 500 years. The same families passed down spots from grandfather to son. People call the Seine the only river that flows between two libraries. An Englishman named Charles Worth invented Paris fashion. Sounds wrong, right? 1888. He decides what's stylish. Queens across Europe wear his gowns. In 2026, it's a billion-dollar industry. September 1888. The tower is now 115 meters, already taller than Notre Dame. Six months ago, half this size. By next year, it'll be the tallest thing on Earth. 18 months ago, 47 famous artists signed a letter calling this tower a monstrosity. Today, they line up to look at it. Funny how public opinion works. That pyramid of cream puffs? Traditional Paris wedding cake. And those maroons in the back? Just simple cookies for now. In 40 years, they'll be the most photographed dessert on Earth. This is insanely delicious. I can't stop. Mmm. Oh, God. Let's hope my fitness coach never sees this video. Welcome to Marche Au Fleur. Hopefully, I said that right. Paris invented this flower market in 1808. Right here, on this island, two centuries of bouquets every morning. In 1888, men gave women flowers on the street, like, just because. Oh, thank you. Oh, merci. I'm in shock. 20,000 gas lamps. Every evening, hundreds of lamplighters walk across Paris, lighting them one by one. That's why they call it the City of Lights. March 31st, 1889. Six months later, and here she is. Complete. 300 meters tall. And yes, painted red. Today is opening day. Did you know? The whole tower is temporary. Eiffel only got a 20-year permit. By 1910, it's supposed to come down. Spoiler from the future, it survives. Most people today don't even know this existed. The original Trocadour Palace, Morin, Bizetton, Magnificent, demolished in 1935. The tower survived. This didn't. History made its choice. Something managed to survive. There was a huge organ inside this palace. Concert hall thighs. Before the wreckers came, they moved it to Lyon. Different city, different building, same instrument. The palace is gone, but its voice isn't. Paris has email in 1889. Steel tubes under the city, 400 kilometers of them. Drop a letter in a capsule, it flies across Paris in two hours. It will work for a hundred years. Do you recognize this red windmill? In six months, it will open as the Moulin Rouge, the most famous cabaret in the world. The Eiffel Tower and this place were born in the same year. Down there, underneath this street, there's a tourist attraction. People pay to ride a small boat through it, a Parisian gondola. Royalty comes here. Ladies wear their Sunday best. And yes, these are the sewers. I'm actually doing this. Six kilometers of tunnels under Paris. Engineer named Vollard built it. He gave Paris a cathedral underground. Lanterns, water, arches. Nobody back home would believe me. Two meters. That's how long this bread is. People carry it like firewood. It doesn't fit on restaurant tables. And the word baguette won't exist for another 31 years. Theo van Gogh works here. He sells paintings by his brother, Vincilit, for almost nothing. Right now, Vincilit's in St. Reyes. In June, he'll paint Starry Night. He has no idea what's coming. There it is. Back to the main event. Ceremony at 235, flag rising. They built it to stand only 20 years, then dismantle. Today, nobody knows that. And here we go. Right now, Gustav Eiffel is climbing 1,700 steps. The elevators don't work yet. In 15 minutes, the flag goes up. Then a 21-gun salute. And I'm standing here. Historic moment. The real celebration is happening. Most of these people were against the tower at first. Now look at them, cheering. Time for me to gather strength and climb to the top. I didn't think it would be this scary up here. The view is insane. After climbing Mount Fuji, I thought nothing could surprise me. But this, this was worth every step. And that's where our adventure ends. Until next time, friends.