During September 1937, the Eiffel Tower was reimagined not just as a marvel of engineering, but as a luminous beacon in the Paris night.

During the Paris International Exposition, the tower was illuminated from base to tip in a breathtaking display of electric lights that captured the world’s imagination.

Although the tower had stood since 1889, this night marked one of the first times it was fully lit after dark, which heralded a new age of modern lighting and nighttime urban design. For those fortunate enough to witness it firsthand, the scene was unforgettable.

This moment redefined the Eiffel Tower as a structure and as an experience. Parisians and visitors alike gathered in awe as it sparkled against the evening sky, setting the stage for a future where cities would glow after sunset.

From Times Square to Tokyo Tower, this new approach to illumination would ripple around the world.

Today, the Eiffel Tower’s nightly light shows remain one of Paris’s most-cherished sights. What began as an engineering feat has become a symbol of magic, imagination, and enduring beauty.