🗼The Eiffel Tower Grows Taller in the Summer

It may sound unbelievable, but the Eiffel Tower — one of the most iconic landmarks in the world — can actually grow over 6 inches (15 centimeters) taller during the summer months. No, it’s not magic or a construction project in progress. It’s science — specifically, a phenomenon known as thermal expansion.

🌡️ Why Does the Eiffel Tower Grow?

The Eiffel Tower is made almost entirely of wrought iron, and like many metals, iron expands when it heats up. As temperatures rise, the iron atoms vibrate more and move slightly further apart. This causes the structure to stretch — meaning the entire tower literally grows taller during hot summer days.

😲 It Can Even Tilt!

Here’s the wild part: on especially sunny days, one side of the tower heats up more than the other. This causes uneven expansion, which can make the Eiffel Tower lean slightly away from the sun. It’s a small tilt, but it’s a real and measurable effect!

🏗️ Not Just Paris – Engineers Use This Everywhere

Thermal expansion is something engineers think about all the time — in bridges, skyscrapers, pipelines, and railways. That’s why bridges often have expansion joints and train tracks have small gaps. Without them, heat could literally break structures apart.

🌙 It Shrinks Back at Night

When the sun sets and temperatures drop, the iron contracts, and the Eiffel Tower slowly returns to its normal height. This expansion–contraction cycle happens every day — and has done so since it was built in 1889.

🧠 Quick Recap:

• The Eiffel Tower can grow over 6 inches (15 cm) in summer
• It’s due to thermal expansion — iron expands with heat
• The tower can tilt slightly away from the sun
• Engineers use this principle in bridges, rails, and skyscrapers
• At night or in winter, it shrinks back down

Next time you’re in Paris on a hot summer day, look up — the Eiffel Tower might be reaching a little higher than usual! ☀️🗼