The rare 14-step iron staircase segment, dating back to 1889—the year the Eiffel Tower was completed for the Exposition Universelle—was auctioned by the Paris-based Artcurial auction house. The piece, weighing around 1.4 tonnes and standing roughly nine feet tall, was purchased by an in-room bidder during the sale.
Originally, the Eiffel Tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel as a temporary structure, but it went on to become one of the most recognised monuments in the world. The staircase section sold this week once formed part of a spiral staircase that connected the tower’s second and third levels. In the early 1980s, during renovation work and the installation of modern elevators, large portions of the original staircase were dismantled and divided into multiple sections for preservation and sale.
According to auction details, the segment had remained in a private collection for over four decades before being offered for sale. It was previously part of a series of staircase sections that were sold off in 1983, when around two dozen pieces were distributed to collectors, museums, and institutions around the world rather than being destroyed. Some of these fragments are now displayed in prestigious locations, including museums and public spaces in Europe, the United States, and Japan.
The latest sale significantly exceeded expectations. The pre-auction estimate had placed its value between €120,000 and €150,000, but competitive bidding pushed the final price to more than three times the upper estimate. Experts say demand for Eiffel Tower relics has been rising steadily, particularly after renewed global interest in Parisian heritage landmarks in recent years.
Auction house officials highlighted that this was not the first time such a fragment has attracted high-value bids. Similar sections of the staircase have previously sold for over €500,000, reflecting a strong and consistent market for rare historical artefacts connected to world-famous monuments.
Collectors and heritage enthusiasts alike view such pieces not merely as decorative objects but as tangible links to architectural history. The Eiffel Tower itself, initially criticised at the time of its construction, has since become a universal symbol of Paris and French cultural identity, further elevating the value of its preserved components.
The sale once again highlights how fragments of iconic structures can command extraordinary prices in the global art and collectibles market, where historical significance often outweighs size or material value.
