<P> The original lifts for the journey between the second and third levels were supplied by Léon Edoux . A pair of 81 m (266 ft) hydraulic rams were mounted on the second level, reaching nearly halfway up to the third level . One lift car was mounted on top of these rams: cables ran from the top of this car up to sheaves on the third level and back down to a second car . Each car only travelled half the distance between the second and third levels and passengers were required to change lifts halfway by means of a short gangway . The 10 - ton cars each held 65 passengers . </P> <P> The main structural work was completed at the end of March 1889 and, on 31 March, Eiffel celebrated by leading a group of government officials, accompanied by representatives of the press, to the top of the tower . Because the lifts were not yet in operation, the ascent was made by foot, and took over an hour, with Eiffel stopping frequently to explain various features . Most of the party chose to stop at the lower levels, but a few, including the structural engineer, Émile Nouguier, the head of construction, Jean Compagnon, the President of the City Council, and reporters from Le Figaro and Le Monde Illustré, completed the ascent . At 2: 35 pm, Eiffel hoisted a large Tricolour to the accompaniment of a 25 - gun salute fired at the first level . </P> <P> There was still work to be done, particularly on the lifts and facilities, and the tower was not opened to the public until nine days after the opening of the exposition on 6 May; even then, the lifts had not been completed . The tower was an instant success with the public, and nearly 30,000 visitors made the 1,710 - step climb to the top before the lifts entered service on 26 May . Tickets cost 2 francs for the first level, 3 for the second, and 5 for the top, with half - price admission on Sundays, and by the end of the exhibition there had been 1,896,987 visitors . </P> <P> After dark, the tower was lit by hundreds of gas lamps, and a beacon sent out three beams of red, white and blue light . Two searchlights mounted on a circular rail were used to illuminate various buildings of the exposition . The daily opening and closing of the exposition were announced by a cannon at the top . </P>

Total number of steps in the eiffel tower