For millions of visitors each year, a trip to the Eiffel Tower is a bucket-list experience. And now there’s an opportunity to have something even rarer: a piece of the monument for your own.
A section of the tower’s original spiral staircase is set to be auctioned in Paris next month, offering a rare opportunity to own part of one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks.
The upcoming sale will be handled by Artcurial, with bidding scheduled for May 21 in Paris. The auction house estimates the staircase section could fetch between €120,000 and €150,000, though previous sales suggest strong interest from collectors.
The current piece, knows an Section No. 1, has reportedly remained in the same private collection for over four decades, adding to its provenance and rarity.
Section No 1. once linked the tower’s second and third floors. When the tower first opened during the Exposition Universelle of 1889, visitors climbed the monument via a winding staircase connecting its levels, long before lifts became the primary means of access.
Standing 2.75 metres tall and measuring 1.75 metres in diameter, it consists of 14 steel steps mounted on a cross-shaped base.
Its industrial design reflects the engineering ambition of the late 19th century, when the tower itself was considered a bold and controversial feat.
The staircase remained in use for decades, with generations of visitors ascending its steps. But in 1983, a major renovation saw large portions of the original structure dismantled and replaced with elevators, transforming how people experience the monument today.
While ownership may require both significant funds and ample space, the sale underscores the continued fascination with the Eiffel Tower, a monument that has welcomed some 300 million visitors since its debut and remains a symbol not only of Paris, but of France itself.
In total, around 20 sections of the staircase were removed and sold, many of which have since remained in private hands. Others found their way into museum collections, including displays at the Musée d’Orsay and the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie.
One segment sold in 2016 for more than €500,000, highlighting the enduring appeal of artefacts tied to the landmark.
Additional pieces can be found internationally, from a garden in Japan to a site near the Statue of Liberty in New York.
