Eiffel Tower: historic 1889 staircase to be auctioned by Artcurial in May 2026

Owning a fragment of the Eiffel Tower is a dream that few collectors are able to realize. Yet in May 2026, a rare opportunity presents itself: a historic piece of the Iron Lady will be auctioned in Paris.

A section of the Eiffel Tower staircase soon to go on sale

On May 21, an authentic section of staircase will be auctioned by Artcurial. This exceptional piece dates back to 1889, the year the monument was built. It measures 2.75 metres in height and 1.75 metres in diameter.

A private individual has decided to part with this piece of history. The official sale will take place on Thursday, May 26, 2026 at 2:30 pm. Thecurrent estimate is between €40,000 and €50,000.

Why was this staircase removed?

Originally, different staircases linked the different floors of the Eiffel Tower. Elevators did not yet exist as a practical solution for visitors. Instead, spiral staircases were used to climb to the top.

In 1983, modernization work transformed access to the monument. The staircase was then dismantled and divided into twenty sections, which were sold at auction. Since then, these fragments have been scattered around the world.

“Auctions that acquire a piece of France’s best-known monument, and one of the most famous in the world, don’t happen every four mornings.

Fragments scattered around the world

Today, these spiral staircases can be found in a variety of locations. Some have remained in the French capital, others have traveled much further afield. The Yoishii Foundation in Japan has one, as does Disneyland in the USA.

Many private collections house these rare pieces. Each section represents a unique testimony to Parisian heritage. To acquire such an object is to own a piece of French history.

• Staircase built in 1889, the year the monument was inaugurated
• Dismantled in 1983 during modernization work
• Twenty sections auctioned off after dismantling
• Current estimate between €40,000 and €50,000
• Sale orchestrated by Artcurial on May 26, 2026

A rare and sought-after heritage

These fragments attract collectors from all over the world. Each piece tells the story of the Iron Lady and her visitors. So owning such an object is more than just a collection: it’s a direct link to the past.

The rarity of these sections explains their value on the art market. Only twenty pieces exist, and most of them already belong to institutions or private individuals. As a result, buying opportunities remain exceptional.

Auctions reach new heights

Past sales testify to the popularity of these unique pieces. In 2013, a portion of the Eiffel Tower staircase of similar size sold for €212,458. This amount surprised many market observers.

Three years later, another piece broke all records. In 2016, one section fetched €523,800. To date, this remains the highest figure ever recorded for this type of object.

The current estimate of between €40,000 and €50,000 therefore seems modest. Nevertheless, experience shows that bids can quickly soar. Passionate collectors are often prepared to exceed initial forecasts.

It remains to be seen who will be prepared to pay several thousand euros for this piece. The suspense will last until the day of the sale, May 26, 2026. Until then, Eiffel Tower enthusiasts can already prepare for this unique opportunity.

• Eiffel Tower