Considered a genius engineer, Gustave Eiffel contributed to more than 500 structures across five continents and over thirty countries. Bridges, train stations, monuments—even a theater—here’s an overview of some of his most remarkable works around the world.
1 – The Eiffel Tower (Paris, France)
It’s impossible to speak of Gustave Eiffel without mentioning the world-famous Parisian tower that bears his name. This French engineer owes his global fame to it.
The Eiffel Tower required 7,300 tons of iron and about 18,000 metal parts. Rising more than 300 meters above ground, the “Iron Lady” remained the tallest structure in the world until 1931, when it was surpassed by the Empire State Building.
Did you know that the tower was originally supposed to be dismantled 20 years after the 1889 World’s Fair for which it was built? Eiffel himself saved it by assigning it a scientific and military purpose—transforming it into a giant antenna for wireless communication (radiotelegraphy).
Nearly half a century after its construction, the Eiffel Tower had already become the ultimate symbol of Paris around the globe.
2 – The Saint-Jean Footbridge (Bordeaux, France)
The Eiffel Footbridge, also known as the Saint-Jean Bridge, is far from Eiffel’s most famous work, but it was his first major project as a young engineer—not yet 30 years old.
Built between 1858 and 1860, this railway bridge spans the Garonne River for over 500 meters. The project presented multiple technical challenges that Eiffel solved through innovative design, earning him early recognition and leading him to found his own company in 1868.
Closed since 2008 and once threatened with demolition, the bridge was classified as a historic monument in 2010. Currently being renovated, it is set to reopen as a pedestrian and cycling path surrounded by new business and cultural spaces.
3 – The Statue of Liberty (New York, USA)
A gift from France to the United States to celebrate the centennial of American independence and Franco-American friendship, the Statue of Liberty was designed by sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, with Gustave Eiffel creating its internal iron framework that ensures stability and wind resistance.
Entirely built in France, the statue was shipped to New York in pieces and assembled on site. It was inaugurated on October 28, 1886, and has since stood proudly at the entrance to New York Harbor, rising 93 meters high (46 meters without its pedestal).
4 – Maria Pia Bridge (Porto, Portugal)
Designed by Gustave Eiffel in collaboration with engineer Théophile Seyrig, the Maria Pia Bridge was completed in 1877. This wrought-iron railway viaduct spans the Douro River in Porto and was a major engineering feat of its time—firmly establishing Eiffel’s international reputation.
Though it has been out of service since 1991, the bridge still stands as a monument to Eiffel’s ingenuity and architectural daring.
5 – Budapest-Nyugati Railway Station (Budapest, Hungary)
The Budapest Nyugati Station (“Western Station” in English) is regarded as one of Eiffel’s most impressive achievements. Its grand iron-and-glass façade was groundbreaking when inaugurated in 1877, as it was the first railway station in the world with a visible metal structure.
Designed and built by Eiffel’s company, the station remains one of the busiest and most striking landmarks in the Hungarian capital.
6 – Garabit Viaduct (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France)
With its sweeping central arch and monumental scale, the Garabit Viaduct is one of Eiffel’s most iconic masterpieces—often compared to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge (though built over 50 years earlier!).
In the late 1870s, France was expanding its railway network and needed a bridge to carry trains over the Truyère River valley. Eiffel was tasked with designing a structure strong enough to withstand the region’s fierce winds.
Completed in 1884 after four years of construction, the viaduct weighed 3,326 tons, stood 120 meters tall, and stretched 565 meters long—making it the largest metal structure ever built in France at the time. It has been listed as a historic monument since 2017 and remains awe-inspiring to this day.
7 – Customs House and Governor’s Residence (Arica, Chile)
In 1868, a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck the port city of Arica (then part of Peru, now Chile). Many buildings were destroyed, and the government turned to Eiffel’s company for reconstruction.
His firm built several structures:
The Customs House, now Arica’s House of Culture,
The Governor’s Residence,
The Post Office,
And the Wharf.
The first two still stand today. Some also attribute the San Marcos Cathedral to Eiffel, but no historical documents confirm his company’s involvement.
8 – Messageries Bridge (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
Many metal works around the world have been attributed to Eiffel. In Vietnam, he’s often linked to the Saigon Central Post Office, though historical evidence is lacking. However, one authentic Eiffel structure does remain: the Messageries Bridge, known locally as Cầu Mống.
Built in the early 1880s to connect the port with the city, this elegant metal bridge now serves pedestrians and cyclists over the Bến Nghé Canal. It is one of Eiffel’s few remaining works in Vietnam.
Another of his structures, the Messageries Maritimes Warehouse, also still exists, though modern renovations (now part of the Riverside Hotel) have unfortunately erased much of his original design.
9 – Ouenghi Bridge (New Caledonia)
The Old Ouenghi Bridge, located on the southwest coast of New Caledonia, is Eiffel’s only recognized work in Oceania. Replaced by a modern bridge in 2017, the original metal structure still stands and is slated for redevelopment into a recreational site.
10 – Le Paradis Latin (Paris, France)
Back in France, in the heart of the Latin Quarter, stands one of Eiffel’s most fascinating creations: Le Paradis Latin, the oldest cabaret in Paris.
Destroyed during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, the building was redesigned and rebuilt by Eiffel’s company for the 1889 World’s Fair. With its magnificent iron structure—often described as having the elegance of a cathedral—the venue made a sensation when it reopened.
Today, Le Paradis Latin remains a thriving cabaret. To admire Eiffel’s stunning work, you can attend one of its two current shows:
“L’Oiseau Paradis” – a bold, poetic, and sensual revue,
“Mon Premier Cabaret” – a family-friendly introduction to the world of cabaret.
