The French tricolor flag, symbol of France and the Republic, has a close relationship with the Eiffel Tower, iconic monument of Paris and France. For many years, the Tower flew a French flag at the top. And all throughout its history, the Tower has often been the setting for expressions of patriotism, especially during the Liberation of Paris in 1944 or at Bastille Day celebrations on 14 July. Regularly, for the annual commemorations on Veterans Day and VE Day, the monument hangs a giant tricolor flag between the first and second floors. This was also the case on May 8 this year, marking 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe.
The Eiffel Tower, a national symbol
Ever since it was built for the 1889 World Exhibition, the Eiffel Tower has stood as a symbol of modernity and French values. As well as welcoming visitors, it has also been used as a scientific laboratory, at the initiative of Gustave Eiffel (meteorology, aerodynamics, wireless telegraphy). It has enabled military and civilian radio transmissions, then television to develop in Paris and France.
As a symbol of national pride, the monument flew the French flag from a pole at the top starting from its inauguration on March 31, 1889, in accordance with Gustave Eiffel's wishes. The monument, measuring exactly 1,083 feet high, then peaked at 1,024 feet thanks to the added flagpole and flag, which would fly for many years above Paris.
I have just experienced the greatest satisfaction, that of flying our national flag on the tallest building that man has ever built.
During World War II
From June 1940, when the Germans invaded, the Eiffel Tower was closed to the public and used by the German army for radio communications. The French flag was removed. On August 25, 1944, during the Liberation of Paris, a commando of six firefighters led by Captain Lucien Sarniguet climbed the Eiffel Tower under enemy fire to raise the tricolor flag once again. This strong, heroic act truly symbolized the Liberation of Paris from Nazi oppression. A commemorative plaque installed at the top of the Tower invites visitors to remember this moment.
The flag and pole at the top disappeared after World War II, as the configuration of the top of the Eiffel Tower was drastically changed with the addition of the first vertical antennas for radio and television towards the end of the 1940s.
The Eiffel Tower, witness to history
After the Liberation of Paris, the Eiffel Tower has continued to play a central role in national celebrations and international events. It is regularly lit up in red, white and blue during Bastille Day celebrations and the famous fireworks organized by the City of Paris. In recent years, to commemorate the end of World War I on November 11 and the end of World War II in Europe on May 8, the French flag has been displayed on the Eiffel Tower. However, it was not flown at the top, but rather unfurled between the first and second floors. Which makes it possible to hang a flag of truly spectacular dimensions!
This is what happened on May 8 and November 11, 2020, during the difficult period of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On May 8, 2025, for the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory and the capitulation of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945, the tricolor flag was displayed on the Eiffel Tower once again, all day and night. It’s an important reminder of liberty and democracy in France’s history
Why does the Eiffel Tower no longer fly the French flag permanently?
After the flagpole was removed from the top of the Eiffel Tower in the 1940s, no other long-term way to fly a flag was put in place, mainly due to the constant exposure to wind and climate events, making maintenance under optimal safety conditions difficult. An extremely large tricolor flag is occasionally hung between the first and second floors, a spectacular symbol for historic commemorations.
Main photo credit: SETE / J.Schlichter
