A section of the original staircase from the Eiffel Tower, once used by visitors before elevators were installed, is set to be auctioned for more than Rwf 256 million.
This historic piece is part of the early structure used by tourists to climb the tower, which was built in 1889, allowing access to its upper levels.
The staircase section, which connected two floors of the tower, was removed in 1983 when elevators were installed to make access easier for visitors.
It is expected to sell for between €120,000 (over Rwf 205 million) and €150,000 (over Rwf 256 million).
The piece has been preserved for more than 40 years since it was removed from the Eiffel Tower in 1983.
The Eiffel Tower remains one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions, visited by more than seven million people each year, and over 300 million visitors have toured it since its construction.
Before 1983, visitors relied entirely on the stairs to reach the top of the tower. The installation of elevators significantly improved accessibility and visitor experience.
The staircase section is scheduled to be auctioned on May 21, 2026.