This isn’t just any souvenir. The steel spiral staircase, which once connected the second and third floors of the Eiffel Tower when it first opened in 1889, is made of riveted sheet metal and includes 14 steps resting on a cross-shaped base. The section stands 2.75 meters tall and spans nearly 1.75 meters in diameter.
Over 300 million people have climbed the tower since its debut at the Universal Exposition celebrating the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, but for nearly a century, those steps were part of the journey to the top. In 1983, the tower underwent a massive overhaul, replacing sections of the original staircase with elevators. Most of the dismantled steps ended up in private collections, while a few were placed in museums like the Musée d’Orsay, Cité des Sciences, and even as far afield as Japan and New York.
Now, Section No. 1 is coming back into the spotlight. Artcurial’s Art Deco department in Paris will put it up for auction on May 21, with an expected price tag of €120,000 to €150,000 (approximately 205.4 million to 256.7 million Rwandan francs).
The staircase has been in a private collection for over 40 years and underwent a full restoration for the sale, according to Sabrina Dolla, associate director at Artcurial.
“It’s more than just a piece of history,” Dolla told CNN. “It’s an immersive experience, a stationary journey through time and space. Imagine yourself in 1889, perched hundreds of meters above Paris on this staircase, with a 360-degree view and no safety barriers.”
Artcurial has auctioned other staircase sections before, with one record-setting section selling for €523,800 (approximately Rwf 896.5 million) in 2016 to a determined collector from China. According to Dolla, such sales often come down to “circumstances and opportunities,” making this upcoming auction a rare chance to own a tangible piece of the Eiffel Tower.
So, do you have the space, the money, and a flair for the historic? If yes, this 14-step slice of Paris might just be yours, history included.
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