How often is the Eiffel Tower repainted?

The Eiffel Tower is repainted about every 7 years.

This cycle follows a maintenance recommendation associated with Gustave Eiffel. The tower is made from puddled iron, which must be protected from moisture and oxygen to limit rust. Paint is therefore not merely decorative: it is the structure’s main protective barrier against corrosion.

The first repainting took place in 1892, only a few years after the tower opened. Since then, the monument’s colors have changed repeatedly. It began with reddish tones, later moved through ochre and yellow-brown shades, and has used the distinctive three-tone “Eiffel Tower Brown” since the late 1960s.

“Every seven years” describes the traditional average for a complete repaint, not a perfectly fixed appointment. Campaigns can take years, and different sections may receive attention at different times. Modern maintenance also includes inspections, localized repairs and corrosion control. A full campaign uses many tonnes of paint and requires workers to operate across the tower’s exposed iron framework, making it one of the world’s most demanding painting projects.