Mysteries at the Museum Season 14 Episode 11 Saving the Eiffel Tower

In this episode of Mysteries at the Museum, host Don Wildman takes audiences on a journey through the history of one of the world's most iconic structures - the Eiffel Tower. The episode, titled "Saving the Eiffel Tower," explores the fascinating story of how the tower almost met its demise during World War II and the daring plan that saved it.

The episode begins with Wildman at the foot of the tower, introducing viewers to the origins of this Parisian landmark. Built for the 1889 World’s Fair, the Eiffel Tower was initially meant to be a temporary structure, but it quickly became one of the city’s most famous landmarks and an enduring symbol of French engineering. However, during World War II, its future looked uncertain.

The episode delves into the turbulent atmosphere in France during the early years of World War II. As Wildman explains, the Germans occupied Paris in June 1940, and they had plans to destroy the Eiffel Tower. Wildman shows viewers archival footage of Nazi troops marching through the city, and he explains that the Germans saw the tower as a potential threat, as it was tall enough to broadcast signals that could aid the French Resistance.

To understand how the Eiffel Tower was saved, Wildman visits a variety of museums and archives across Europe and America. In one scene, he travels to the Imperial War Museum in London to examine a poignant artifact - a letter from a French engineer named Pierre Labrousse. Labrousse was a member of the Resistance who had devised a plan to save the Eiffel Tower. In his letter, he detailed how he and a small team of men had climbed the tower in August 1944 and deactivated the explosives that the Germans had planted at its base.

Wildman also visits the Eiffel Tower itself to see the damage done during the war and learn about the subsequent rebuilding efforts. Along the way, he takes note of the many tributes to Labrousse and his comrades that are scattered throughout the tower, in recognition of their bravery and skill.

Throughout the episode, Wildman also highlights other stories related to the Eiffel Tower. For example, he visits a museum in Denmark to investigate an unlikely tale involving the tower's designer, Gustave Eiffel. As Wildman explains, Eiffel was once accused of being involved in a massive fraud scheme involving the construction of a canal in Panama. Although Eiffel was ultimately exonerated of any wrongdoing, the scandal tarnished his reputation for many years.

Overall, "Saving the Eiffel Tower" is an engaging and informative episode of Mysteries at the Museum that delves into the remarkable story of how one of the world's most famous landmarks was saved from destruction. Along the way, viewers are treated to a fascinating glimpse into the history of Paris, World War II, and the enduring legacy of the Eiffel Tower.