The Five Craziest Stunts From The Eiffel Tower

There are just a couple things in life which are absolutely certain: death, taxes and the fact that as long as there are human beings around, some of them will perform crazy and extremely dangerous stunts in the most unlikely places.

Because the Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s tallest structures at 984 feet, you can rest assured that plenty of folks are just dying (sometimes literally!) to perform a variety of rather insane acts from it.

We’re counting down the top five wackiest stunts that have ever been performed on the Eiffel Tower, in descending order of weirdness.

Taig Khris - Via Wikipedia

Number Five:

On May 30, 2011, roller skater Taig Khris made history when he entered the Guinness Book of World Records after roller skating off the Eiffel Tower onto a ramp below. He not only survived, but is very proud of his, ahem, “accomplishment,” saying, “everything is possible when you dream a lot, and you work hard. Two years, non-stop. I didn’t sleep for nights and nights for that small moment up there.”  So folks, remember you can achieve your dreams, no matter how obscure or dangerous.

Number Four:

Known as the “Spider Man,” Alain Robert of France climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower as if it were child’s play on December 31, 1996. Lest you think he used pulleys or harnesses of any kind, the only thing he wore to help his journey along were a pair of mittens because he was cold.  He didn’t make too much of his feat, though, preferring to call the tower “nothing but a big ladder.”

Number Three:

The 1920s were certainly roaring, and maybe it was the late-night parties at Parisian speakeasies that gave a journalist the brilliant idea to ride his bike down from the tower’s second floor in 1923. The purpose of this remains unknown, but it undoubtedly made him a hit with the ladies. After all, what girl wouldn’t want a catch like that?

Number Two:

Overcome by the power of love in 1984, a British couple decided that there was absolutely no better way to show their love for each other than by jumping from the top deck of the Eiffel Tower. They donned parachutes, leapt, and are reported to have survived. The only trouble is, it makes for pretty awkward anniversaries in the future. Flowers and chocolates aren’t going to cut it. Perhaps they could go volcano diving?

Franz Reichelt - Via Wikipedia

Number One:

Poor, poor Franz Reichelt. Not only is he doomed to be talked about in every article on Eiffel Tower stunts for the last and next 100 years, but someone was actually able to catch a picture of this odd gentleman resplendent in his wearable parachute, which resembles a sort of half-bird, half-man contraption. So intent was he on proving his invention a success that he ignored the pleas of his friends and family. He jumped from the first floor of the tower and didn’t fare so well when he met the ice below. On February 4, 1912, poor Franz took his place with the angels, and 100 years later is named the winner of our number one most crazy Eiffel Tower stunt-person. Hopefully that’s some sort of consolation!

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