Lyon tower's altitude surpasses Eiffel Tower's height

The summit of the Fourvière metal tower in Lyon reaches an altitude of 372 meters, while the Eiffel Tower reaches approximately 364 meters, including its antenna. The Eiffel Tower measures 330 meters in height, according to the City of Paris, built upon a Parisian ground level situated approximately 33.5 meters above sea level. Lyon surpasses the capital in altitude by about 8 meters.

Lyon's tower height is much lower than its summit

The Lyon tower measures less than 90 meters in height, constructed on the hill. The calculation that gives Lyon an advantage is based on the Eiffel Tower's height of 330 meters and the altitude of its base. To equal the 372 meters of Fourvière, the Eiffel Tower would have had to be built on a ground level of 42 meters. Even with a ground level at 35 meters, Paris would still be 7 meters below Lyon.

Height and altitude are different measurements

Height is measured from the base of a monument, while altitude is measured from sea level. The 330 meters of the Eiffel Tower is a height, while the 372 meters of Fourvière is an altitude, so the Lyon figure, taken at face value, appears to dwarf that of Paris without the tower being responsible for it. The Lyon tower does not measure 372 meters in height.

Eiffel Tower is significantly taller in structure

Regarding structure, the advantage is reversed: with 330 meters against approximately 86 meters, the Eiffel Tower is almost four times taller than its Lyon cousin. The duel therefore rests on three figures: 372 meters, given by the Lyon Municipal Library, 330 meters, published by the City of Paris, and the altitude of the Champ-de-Mars.

Lyon tower's construction and design

The works on the Lyon tower began in 1892, and the tower was completed on May 2, 1894. It opened to the public on May 3, 1894, the day after its completion. A restaurant installed in the base was to offer the panorama to visitors of the 1894 exhibition, and a hydraulic lift ascended to the heights, according to La Construction lyonnaise of June 1, 1892, cited by the Lyon Municipal Library.

Construction involved multiple contributors

Five names share the construction site: the project is that of Colonge, realized by architect Collet; the foundations and base belong to the Paufique brothers, who gave their name to the building; the metal framework is the work of Patiaud, Lagarde and Cie. The ceramic coverings come from the Utzschneider Faience Factory, according to the Lyon Municipal Library. A steel tower clad in faience, that changes the gray image one has of a pole.

Lyon tower's weight and public access

Regarding weight, Structurae counts 210 tons, equivalent to a few dozen adult African elephants. For a framework of almost 86 meters, the mass remains modest. The Lyon Municipal Library is clear: no link with Gustave Eiffel. The confusion, however, persists, since Structurae describes a steel framework with a striking resemblance to the Parisian tower.

Lyon tower's role and current use

The role of a viewpoint lasted nearly 60 years, from May 3, 1894, to November 1, 1953, the date when the observation use ended. The tower then changed its function. It now serves as a television transmission tower, according to Structurae. Access is closed to the public, which confirms the Lyon Municipal Library. The highest summit of the two is therefore no longer accessible.