<P> Constructed from 1887 -- 89 as the entrance to the 1889 World 's Fair , it was initially criticized by some of France 's leading artists and intellectuals for its design , but it has become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognisable structures in the world . The Eiffel Tower is the most - visited paid monument in the world ; 6.91 million people ascended it in 2015 . </P>
what is the main use of the eiffel tower in modern times
paid monument