

Behind the iconic Eiffel Tower lies the story of an incredible challenge to erect a thousand-foot tower that went far beyond a design competition, and marked a major turning point in engineering history. It was the beginning of radical transformation where iron was pitted against stone, engineering against architecture, and modern design against ancients. Press campaigns, lobbying, public conferences, denigration of opposing projects, bragging about big names - all participants engaged in a fierce battle without concession. Using 3D recreations, official sources (reports, letters, drawings...) and intimate archives obtained from their descendants, this film will bring to life this vertical race through a fresh and visual way to mark the centenary of Eiffel death.
Mathieu Schwartz
Gaëlle Guyader

Gustave Eiffel

Jules Bourdais

Claire Eiffel

Charles Garnier

Maurice Koechlin

Émile Nouguier

Édouard Lockroy

Amédée Sébillot

Gustave Ferrié

Émile Trelat

Jean-Louis Pascal

Joseph-Antoine Bouvard