The Great War: Electronic Sentinel (1914-1918)

When World War I erupted, the Eiffel Tower transformed from tourist attraction to military asset. Its radio station became crucial for intercepting enemy communications. In 1914, the tower's operators intercepted a message that revealed German troop movements, contributing to the French victory at the First Battle of the Marne.

The tower's most famous wartime moment came in 1917 when it intercepted the infamous "Zimmermann Telegram" between Germany and Mexico, helping to bring the United States into the war. French cryptographer Georges Painvin, working in a chamber beneath the tower, broke numerous German codes that saved countless Allied lives.

Louise Ramondou, one of the few female radio operators, recalled: "We worked in shifts around the clock, headphones pressed to our ears, transcribing dots and dashes that might spell victory or defeat. The tower hummed with electricity and purpose. We knew we were the Republic's ears."

Despite its military importance, the tower remained partially open to civilians, becoming a symbol of French resilience. Soldiers on leave climbed it with their sweethearts. Wounded veterans were admitted free. The tower represented normalcy in abnormal times.