A section of the Eiffel Tower’s original staircase has sold for more than €450,000 at auction in Paris, significantly surpassing its pre-sale estimate and underscoring continued global demand for pieces linked to one of the world’s most famous monuments.
The spiral staircase segment, which dates back to 1889 when the Eiffel Tower was completed, was sold on Thursday for €450,160 ($521,825.47) at an auction organized by Artcurial Paris. The winning bidder was present in the auction room.
FILE PHOTO: A portion of the original staircase of the Eiffel Tower built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 is displayed during a press preview ahead of its upcoming auction organized by Artcurial in Paris, France, May 13, 2026. REUTERS/Alice Sacco/File Photo
The piece consists of 14 steps, stands approximately nine feet tall and weighs 1.4 tons. Before the sale, it had been valued at between €120,000 and €150,000.
“When you buy a piece of the Eiffel Tower, you’re buying a piece of Paris, along with all the imagination and symbolism it represents,” said Sabrina Dolla, Art Deco design director at Artcurial.
Historic Piece of a Global Landmark
The staircase formed part of the original structure designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel. More than four decades ago, around 526 feet of the tower’s staircase were removed, cut into smaller sections and sold. The original stairs were replaced by elevators that now transport visitors to the monument’s highest observation level.
The latest sale demonstrates the enduring appeal of artifacts connected to the Eiffel Tower, a symbol of both Paris and France recognized worldwide.
In 2008, another section of the original staircase was sold to a private American collector for a record €550,000. Other preserved segments can be found in prominent locations across the globe, including near the Statue of Liberty in New York and in the gardens of the Yoshi Foundation in Yamanashi, Japan, as well as in private collections.
FILE PHOTO: A portion of the original staircase of the Eiffel Tower built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 is displayed during a press preview ahead of its upcoming auction organized by Artcurial in Paris, France, May 13, 2026. REUTERS/Alice Sacco/File Photo
Growing Interest Among Collectors
According to Artcurial, collector interest in the Eiffel Tower has received a boost in recent years, particularly following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, during which several iconic French landmarks played a prominent role.
Dolla said the global exposure generated by the event had renewed appreciation for both the monument’s symbolism and its distinctive design.
“We’re definitely seeing a renewed interest in what it symbolizes and in its aesthetic appeal,” she said.
