The super-rich are scrambling to buy sections of the Eiffel Tower staircase.

At a recent auction in Paris, France, an original section of the Eiffel Tower's spiral staircase found a new owner for three times the initial price.

A section of the original Eiffel Tower staircase, built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889, is on display ahead of the auction.

Photo: Reuters

Reuters reported on May 22nd, citing information from the Artcurial Paris auction house, that a section of the original Eiffel Tower spiral staircase was successfully sold for 450,160 euros (approximately 12.3 billion VND). This figure far exceeded the initial valuation by experts, which was between 120,000 and 150,000 euros (approximately 3.3 and 4.1 billion VND).

Those present at the auction witnessed the final bid go to a direct buyer. This person officially acquired the staircase section, consisting of 14 steps, standing 2.7 meters tall and weighing 4.6 tons. The entire structure dates back to 1889, the year the towering spire in the heart of Paris was completed.

Buying a piece of the Eiffel Tower is buying a piece of Paris.

Sabrina Dolla, design director at Artcurial Paris auction house, shared: "When you own a piece of the Eiffel Tower, it means you are buying a piece of Paris, owning all the memories and symbolic values ​​it represents."

In fact, the original staircase system was dismantled more than four decades ago to be replaced by a modern elevator system that takes visitors up to the observation deck. At that time, the 160-meter-long staircase was cut into shorter sections ranging from 2.7 to 9 meters and sold on the market.

Few people know that the spiral staircase connecting the second and third floors of the Eiffel Tower was actually "removed" in 1983. At that time, the building management realized that this heavy iron structure was beginning to deteriorate, threatening the safety of visitors and increasing the load pressure on the tower's foundation. A major overhaul was carried out: the original staircase was removed to make way for a modern elevator system.

This iron structure, dating back to 1889, weighs 4.6 tons and stands 2.7 meters tall.

Photo: Reuters

According to records from the Eiffel Tower Management Company and the Artcurial auction house, to avoid waste, the Parisian authorities later divided the heritage into 24 sections to hold an international auction on the first floor of the tower. This decision marked the beginning of the journey of these Eiffel Tower "pieces" to collectors around the world , a journey that continues to this day.

To date, parts of this heritage are preserved and displayed in many prestigious locations around the globe, including the area near the Statue of Liberty in New York (USA), on the grounds of the Yoshi Foundation in Yamanashi (Japan), or in private collections. Previously, in 2008, a similar section of the staircase set a record when it was purchased by a wealthy American for 550,000 euros (approximately 15 billion VND).

Representatives from the auction house also noted that the allure of the Paris Olympic Games, where the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais played a central role in media coverage, has significantly increased the value of these antiques in the eyes of international collectors recently.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/gioi-sieu-giau-tranh-nhau-mua-mot-phan-cau-thang-thap-eiffel-18526052307455845.htm