The building of the Eiffel tower

In January 1887 work began on one of the world's best known landmarks - The Eiffel Tower. Many important Parisians were hugely opposed to it. Some 300 artists rallied in protest calling it "A dizzyingly, ridiculous tower dominating Paris."

Undeterred, Alexandre Gustave Eiffel pressed ahead with his vision and eventually his critics became increasingly silent.

Photo: BBC>