Thrill-seekers sometimes choose dangerous places to realize their desires, sometimes risking their lives in the process. Many men have attempted to parachute from the Eiffel Tower over the decades, with varying degrees of success. While the latest, on Thursday August 17, 2023, landed safely, despite a hefty fine, the very first was not so lucky, and was killed in 1912.
In the early 1900s, parachute jumping techniques were not the same as today, and the first inventions were highly uncertain. While André Jacques Garnerin succeeded in doing so over the Parc Monceau in 1797, François Reichelt made history by jumping from the top of the Eiffel Tower in 1912. An Austrian-turned-French tailor, he wanted to test a parachute suithe'd made by throwing himself from the second floor... and unfortunately didn't survive the fall, even making a hole in the ground.
His tragic descent was filmed at the time, whereasthe first tests with dummies had all ended up crushed to the ground .Thebirdman still jumped 57 metres, but his parachute didn't open... Since then, some people have succeeded in base jumping, even though it's totally illegal. But not all have happy endings: in 2005, a Norwegian attempted the same thing from the second floor, 115m high, and crashed into the first-floor structure.
Did you know that? The first parachute jump in history took place above the Parc Monceau
Who would have thought it? Thrill seekers have been around for a long time and parachute jumping has been around since the 18th century. Much less secure than today, André Jacques Garnerin made the first jump in history above the Parc Monceau, in 1797. [Read more]
Location
Eiffel Tower
5, avenue Anatole-France
75007 Paris 7
Access
Metro and RER: Line 6 or 9 "Trocadéro" station Line 6 "Bir-Hakeim" station RER C "Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel" station
Did you know that? The first parachute jump in history took place above the Parc Monceau
