Rare 14-Step Section Of Eiffel Tower Staircase Heads To Auction In Paris

A segment of the original spiral staircase from the Eiffel Tower is due to be auctioned in Paris later this spring, giving buyers the unusual opportunity to acquire a physical fragment of the iconic structure. Measuring around 8.5 ft (2.6 m) and made up of 14 iron steps, the piece dates back to 1889 and once formed part of the link between the tower’s second and third floors. The restored section will be offered for sale by Artcurial on May 21, 2026, with estimates placing its value between USD 46,000 and USD 57,000.

Auction Background And Provenance

The sale will form part of a wider “Parisian Art Deco and Design” auction hosted by Artcurial in Paris. The staircase segment itself was removed in 1983, when a lift was installed between the second and third levels of the Eiffel Tower. At the time, the staircase was cut into 24 separate sections. Most were sold off to private buyers, while a number found their way into museum collections. The piece now coming up for sale—a run of 14 restored iron steps—is one of those surviving sections, with a traceable history linked to the tower’s later alterations.

A Collector’s Opportunity

The estimate stands at EUR 40,000 to EUR 50,000, though past sales have gone well beyond that range. In 2016, a similar staircase section sold for more than EUR 500,000, highlighting continued demand for pieces associated with the Eiffel Tower and Gustave Eiffel. Such fragments are often bought by private collectors, companies or museums, where they are put on display rather than kept in storage. With only a limited number of these sections in circulation, the upcoming auction offers a relatively uncommon chance to acquire part of the tower’s original 1889 fabric.

About The Spiral Staircase

The original spiral staircase of the Eiffel Tower, built in 1889, connected the second and top floors, featuring 1,062 steps, and was used by Gustave Eiffel to reach his private office. Removed in 1983 due to modernisation, the 525-foot staircase was cut into 24 sections, with 14-foot segments sold at auction for high prices, often fetching over EUR 100,000.

The narrow, single-guardrail spiral staircase connected the second floor to the summit and was not generally accessible to the public, designed primarily for access.

In 1983, it was removed to install modern elevators and reduce the weight of the structure. The 525-foot staircase was cut into 24 sections. Pieces are displayed at the Eiffel Tower’s first floor, the Musée d'Orsay, La Villette, the Iron Museum in Jarville-la-Malgrange, and a section in Disneyland. At least 20 pieces were auctioned, spreading them globally, including a piece in Pennsylvania and another in California. These segments are highly sought after by collectors, with segments selling in 2013, 2016, 2018, and 2020 for amounts up to EUR 523,800. While the original was removed, visitors today can still take stairs from the ground to the second floor, but not to the summit. These historic, yellow-ochre painted cast-iron segments, sometimes weighing over 3,000 lbs, represent a direct connection to the tower's 19th-century origins.

Famous Structure Parts Sold In Auctions

Several pieces, fixtures, and structural elements from famous or historic buildings have been sold at auctions, often as collectibles or for adaptive reuse. A wrought iron Gothic gate created around 1880 for New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral was featured in an Urban Archaeology auction. Winold Reiss's Art Deco murals from the Empire State Building, which were presumed destroyed when the building was renovated in the 1960s, have appeared in auctions. Materials and design elements from the Philip Johnson Architectural Archive, including pieces from the AT&T Building and the Crystal Cathedral, were sold in auctions.

FAQs

What exactly is being auctioned?
An original 8.5-foot (2.6-metre) of the spiral staircase from the Eiffel Tower, made up of 14 restored iron steps dating back to 1889.

When and where is the auction taking place?
The sale is scheduled for 21 May 2026 in Paris, organised by Artcurial as part of a design-focused auction event.

Why was the staircase removed?
The original staircase was dismantled in 1983 to make way for a lift connecting the tower’s upper levels. It was then divided into smaller sections.

How much is the piece expected to sell for?
The current estimate is between EUR 40,000 and EUR 50,000, although similar pieces have previously sold for significantly higher amounts.

How many original staircase pieces still exist?
The staircase was divided into 24 sections in 1983. While many entered private collections, several are now held by museums, meaning only a limited number remain in circulation.

Is the piece officially authenticated?
Yes, lots offered by Artcurial generally come with documentation confirming provenance, ensuring the segment’s link to the Eiffel Tower.