Photo : SETE - Fabrice Gaboriau
Exhibition: Lady Liberty, behind the icon, the genius of Eiffel
An exhibition on the 1st-floor terrace of the Eiffel Tower To mark the 140th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty
tour Eiffel (Paris 7th)
About
From October 12 to November 12, 2026, the Eiffel Tower is hosting an unprecedented exhibition dedicated to the Statue of Liberty on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of its inauguration.
Conceived in partnership with the MuAM – Musée des Arts et Métiers and installed on the 1st-floor terrace, the exhibition invites visitors to (re)discover one of the most famous monuments in the world and, in particular, the decisive role played by Gustave Eiffel in its construction.
Often little known, the story of the Statue of Liberty begins in Paris where the architect Auguste Bartholdi imagined its monumental silhouette. Gustave Eiffel, for his part, designed the ingenious metal structure that still allows it today to withstand the winds of New York Bay. Offered by France to the United States and inaugurated in the port of New York in 1886, the Statue of Liberty has become, over time, a universal symbol of freedom and hope.
A chronological journey to discover the history of Lady Liberty
In a route composed of twelve illustrated panels, the exhibition, created with the support of Lagardère x Arteum, the Eiffel Tower's boutique concessionaire, looks back at the birth of this extraordinary project, its construction, its journey to America, and the exceptional legacy left in history, art, and the collective imagination. Visitors will notably be able to discover plans and documents related to Gustave Eiffel's work, illustrations retracing the different stages of the construction of the statue in Paris, as well as content devoted to its crossing to New York. The exhibition also highlights its numerous replicas around the world and the major influence it still exerts today.
Through two major chapters, visitors travel through the great milestones in the history of the Statue of Liberty:
The first part, “The conception”, looks back at the genesis of the project, from the idea put forward by Édouard de Laboulaye to the creation of the Statue by Auguste Bartholdi, including the decisive role of Gustave Eiffel in the design of its innovative metal structure.
“The legacy” then focuses on the exceptional destiny of the Statue after its inauguration. Having become one of the most recognizable faces of America, Lady Liberty has established itself as a global symbol of freedom, inspiring many artists and filmmakers as well as entire generations around the world.
A path designed for the whole family
Throughout the tour, boxes specially designed for young audiences offer questions, anecdotes, and unusual information to discover in a fun way the intertwined history of two icons that are the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower. By answering a quiz offered on several panels of the exhibition, visitors will also be able to try to win gifts inspired by “Lady Liberty”, to be collected in the 1st-floor boutique of the monument.
An exhibition held in partnership with the MuAM - Musée des Arts et Métiers
The Eiffel Tower exhibition echoes “Lady Liberty. Sweat, audacity, genius” presented at the MuAM until August 1, 2027.
Our take on this event
Forget everything you thought you knew about the most famous statue in New York, starting with the fact that its true backbone was forged right here in Paris. Perched atop the city's iconic metal tower, this display reveals the brilliant structural secrets Gustave Eiffel used to help the monument stand the test of time.
Discover the hidden history of the Statue of Liberty through the exhibition Lady Liberty: Beyond the Icon, the Genius of Eiffel, hosted on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. From October 16 to November 12, 2026, this exhibition highlights Gustave Eiffel's crucial role in building the monument's metallic structure. Suitable for visitors aged 6 and up, the installation is fully wheelchair accessible. Access is included with a standard Eiffel Tower ticket, making it a perfect addition to your visit to this iconic Parisian landmark.
To mark the 140th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty's inauguration, the Eiffel Tower presents a unique exhibition in partnership with the Musée des Arts et Métiers. Located on the first-floor terrace, the display reveals how sculptor Auguste Bartholdi envisioned the monument's silhouette, while Gustave Eiffel engineered the innovative metallic framework that allows it to withstand the strong winds of New York Bay.
The exhibition is organized into two main sections: The Conception, which traces the project's origins, and The Posterity, which examines the statue's global status as a symbol of freedom. Visitors will explore twelve illustrated panels featuring technical blueprints, historical documents, and insights into its transatlantic journey.
Designed for families, the exhibition offers fun, educational content for children aged 6 and older. Interactive elements and a quiz integrated into the panels allow younger visitors to engage with the history of these two architectural marvels. Participants can even win themed prizes to collect at the first-floor boutique.
The exhibition runs daily from 09:30 to 23:30. It is accessible to wheelchair users and is included with the purchase of an Eiffel Tower ticket. No additional booking is required beyond your monument access.
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