IMAGE: SUPPLIED
The bay around Mont St-Michel is famed for
having Europe’s highest tidal variations
On the Mont, be prepared for lots
of steps, some of them spiral
St-Michel rising dramatically from the
sea – or towering over sands laid
bare by the receding tide. Despite
huge numbers of tourists, both the
abbey and the narrow alleys below
still manage to transport visitors back
to the Middle Ages.
The bay around Mont St-Michel is
famed for having Europe’s highest
tidal variations; the difference
between low and high tides – only
about six hours apart – can reach an
astonishing 15m. The Mont is only
completely surrounded by the sea
every month or two, when the tidal
coefficient is above 100 and high
tide is above 14m. Regardless of the
time of year, the waters sweep in at
an astonishing clip, said to be as
fast as a galloping horse.
On the Mont, be prepared for lots
of steps, some of them spiral – alas,
it’s is one of the least wheelchairaccessible sites in France.
Introducing
the Eiffel Tower
was built by Gustave Eiffel for
the 1889 Exposition Universelle,
which was to celebrate the 100th
year anniversary of the French
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Revolution. Its construction in 2
years, 2 months and 5 days was a
veritable technical and architectural
achievement. “Utopia achieved”, a
symbol of technological prowess, at
the end of the 19th Century it was a
demonstration of French engineering
personified by Gustave Eiffel, and
a defining moment of the industrial
“Over the
decades, the
Eiffel Tower
has seen
remarkable
achievements”
era. It was met immediately with
tremendous success.
Only intended to last 20 years,
it was saved by the scientific
experiments that Eiffel encouraged,
and in particular by the first
radio transmissions, followed by
telecommunications. For example,
the radio signals from the Pantheon
Tower in 1898; it served as a
military radio post in 1903; it
transmitted the first public radio
programme in 1925, and then
broadcast television up to TNT more
recently.
Since the 1980s, the monument
has regularly been renovated,
restored and adapted for an evergrowing public.
Over the decades, the Eiffel Tower
has seen remarkable achievements,
extraordinary light shows, and
prestigious visitors. A mythical and
audacious site, it has always inspired
artists and challenges.
It is the stage for numerous events
of international significance (light
shows, the Tower’s centenary, the
Year 2000 pyrotechnic show,
repainting campaigns, sparkling
lights, the blue Tower to mark
France’s Presidency of the European
Union or the multi-coloured Tower for
its 120th birthday, unusual fixtures,
such as an ice rink, a garden etc.).
A universal Tower of Babel, almost
250 million visitors regardless of age
or origin have come from all over the
planet to see it since its opening in
1889.
CHRISTMAS ISSUE 2014 / NORTHERN HILLS / PAGE 39