**Did you know?** The Eiffel Tower can grow up to 6 inches taller in the summer.
This curious phenomenon is due to thermal expansion. As the iron structure heats up in warmer temperatures, the metal expands slightly, causing the tower to "grow" a few inches taller. Conversely, in colder winter temperatures, the metal contracts and the tower shrinks back down. This expansion and contraction is a normal property of materials and was accounted for in Gustave Eiffel's original design. The tower is equipped with a system of counterweights to help maintain its stability despite these seasonal changes.