Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The Eiffel Tower

Paris, France

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

We were in Paris and one cannot go to this City of Light without a visit to the Eiffel Tower!

When Gustave Eiffel designed the tower for the 1889 World's Fair it was initially considered by some Parisians to be an eyesore.

While constructed as a temporary structure, its utility as a radio antenna saved it from being dismantled.

Looking up from ground level

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited monuments in the world, with about 7 million visitors annually.

Over its lifetime, it has seen more than 300 million visitors!

This monument is so iconic of Paris that it has inspired countless artists, filmmakers, and writers. It often serves as a romantic backdrop in novels and films.

More intricate view of the wrought iron

The Eiffel Tower is painted approximately every seven years to protect it from rust and corrosion. This repainting process involves using around 60 tons of paint to cover the entire structure.

Not only that, but it's such a significant undertaking that it typically takes about 18 months to complete.

This duration includes all the preparation work, such as sandblasting, rust removal, and the actual application of the multiple layers of paint.

Gustave Eiffel created the Eiffel Tower

Over the years the Tower has been Venetian Red, a Reddish-Brown, Ochre Brown, and Yellow!

At one point, there was a gradient from orange-yellow at the base to light yellow at the top.

The Eiffel Tower is open to the public every day and afternoon.

It lights up at nightfall and flashes every hour for five minutes, sparkling with 20,000 light bulbs until finally at closing, it completely turns off.

Entry pricing clearly marked

We took a Bolt ride from our apartment to the Eiffel Tower, and we noticed for many of the places we wanted to visit, Bolt came in at about $13-$17Euros per ride. 

We paid our $28.30 Euros per person to get to the top, followed the crowd to the elevator and started to go up and up and up.

All of a sudden, Billy - who is afraid of heights - gets an attack!

I'm not sure what to do, or what's going on, but the elevator master tries to shoo him off the elevator and he firmly says "NO. Take me down to the next level." And then Billy told me to go completely to the top and get some photos!

I had never seen Billy this way before, and I was concerned.

I raced around at the top which was all fenced in so that no one jumped off...! and there was a place to purchase champagne to celebrate.

Meanwhile I am texting Billy to see if he survived his ordeal!

He tells me to take my time, but I'm nervous about him, so it's hard to relax.

The view of Paris from the second level of the Eiffel Tower

We met up again on the second level where he had finally caught his breath. We had a bit of a chuckle over this - and I told him it was my opinion that the views from the second level were far more distinctive and clear than at the top.

From this view you can clearly see the Seine river snaking through the city, which is a defining feature of Paris.

The large green area to the left of the river is the Champ de Mars, a park located right next to the Eiffel Tower.

Before becoming the vast garden we know today, the Champ-de-Mars had several lives.

From the 16th century, it was first an immense esplanade, on which there were vegetable gardens and vineyards.

 From the 18th century, this large expanse, was a maneuvering field intended for military training. This is where the place gets its name from, as Mars is the Roman god of War.

This area was so large that more than 10,000 men could be placed there in battle order.

The golden dome of Les Invalides

The army ceded the Champ-de-Mars to the City of Paris, and that is when its current transformation into an immense green park took place.

Today, the Champ-de-Mars is one of the largest green spaces in Paris, with an area of 24.5 hectares.

Inspired by both French and English gardens, the Champ-de-Mars park is covered with vast lawns, winding paths and magnificent bronze statues. It is thus one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris, and a garden classified as a UNESCO world heritage site.

 The golden dome of Les Invalides in the center of this photo, is a complex of buildings that includes a hospital, a museum, and the final resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Palais de Chaillot and the Trocadero Gardens.

Across from the Seine is the Palais de Chaillot and the Trocadero Gardens.

This large, imposing building with the twin wings was built for the 1937 Paris International Exposition and now houses several museums.

In the eastern wing, you'll find the Musée national des Monuments Français which focuses on French architecture from Roman times through to modern-day. In the western wing there's an anthropology museum exploring human evolution and societies.

This is a popular spot for photographers to get one of the best panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, and the city of Paris.

In the center you'll find the Fontaine de Varsovie. The gardens are often used for special events and open-air concerts.

It's a popular place for both locals and tourists to relax, with numerous benches, shaded areas, and open spaces for children to play.

The Seine River and the Right and Left Banks

Several bridges cross the Seine connecting different parts of the city.

The Right Bank of the river is lined with buildings, and has been the center of commercial activity with major shopping streets. It is home to the financial district of La Défense. The Louvre s located on this side as well as the Marais District, known for its medieval streets, and has become a cultural hotspot.

The Right Bank is often associated with luxury, commerce, and a slightly more conservative lifestyle compared to its counterpart, the Left Bank.

Historically, the Left Bank has been the heart of Parisian intellectual, artistic, and bohemian life. It's where many philosophers, writers, and artists have lived and worked, including Sartre, de Beauvoir, Hemingway, and Picasso. The Latin Quarter is located here as is the Sorbonne University.

This area is synonymous with academia, youth culture, and student life, giving it a vibrant, youthful vibe.

Notre-Dame Cathedral is located on the Left Bank, as are many famous cafes and street side bookstalls.

The Right and Left Banks divide Paris into cultural, historical, and social differences, contributing to the rich tapestry that makes Paris such a unique city.

The Champ de Mars

This is the Champ de Mars, the park which stretches out from the base of the Eiffel Tower.

You will also notice the densely packed rooftops of Paris.

The tall dark building on the right is the Montparnasse Tower, a modern skyscraper that stands out in the skyline.

Paris is known for its low-rise buildings and elegant architecture. So, when this tower was built, many Parisians felt it clashed with the city's historic beauty because it was too imposing.

The tower has a more brutal style with its concrete and glass facade.

However, the Montparnasse offers breathtaking panoramic views of Paris, making it a popular tourist attraction.  

The Seine River

Beginning in the Burgundy region near Dijon, the Seine flows north-westwards for about 777 kilometers before it empties into the English Channel near Le Havre.

This river has been a major transportation route for centuries dating back to ancient times. It was crucial for transporting goods and people, influencing the city's growth. Many of Paris's historic bridges were built during Medieval periods to facilitate this movement.

Billy and Akaisha from the Eiffel Tower with the River Seine in the background

Obviously, the Eiffel Tower is a must-see when you go to Paris.

Tickets can be purchased in advance on their official website, or purchased in person on the day of the visit, at the ticket offices located in the esplanade, below the Eiffel Tower.

You can choose how many levels you want to go up on the tower. The 2nd floor offers a Michelin-starred restaurant, Jules Verne.

At the top, which can only be accessed by elevator from the 2nd floor, you will find a champagne bar to celebrate the moment with a toast, plus a reproduction of Gustave Eiffel's office with wax statues visible through the hatches.

There are several shops to purchase souvenirs and books and options for meals of your choosing.

You can go to the bistro or sit in the Madame Brasserie restaurant with its lounge. Breakfasts, meals, snacks, dinners and even brunch on Sundays  are all offered.

The Eiffel tower

Website: https://www.toureiffel.paris/es

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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