The Eiffel Tower has been one of the defining landmarks of Paris for more than a century. It has survived wars, political changes, technological revolutions and the passing of generations.
But in 1925, a businessman was persuaded to believe that the tower had a very different future.
In this episode of The Storytelling Podcast, we travel back to Paris in the 1920s to uncover one of history’s most audacious confidence tricks: Selling the Eiffel Tower.
🎧 Listen to the full episode and step into Paris in 1925.
Watch the Episode
Watch the full episode below
Step into Paris in 1925 and discover the extraordinary story of Victor Lustig, the man who convinced a scrap-metal dealer that the Eiffel Tower was about to be sold for scrap.
FAQs
Did Victor Lustig really sell the Eiffel Tower?
Yes, historical sources agree that Lustig successfully deceived André Poisson into paying for what he believed was the right to acquire the Eiffel Tower’s iron.
Did he sell the Eiffel Tower twice?
The famous version says that he did. However, the official Eiffel Tower history records one successful sale followed by a second attempt that failed.
Who was Victor Lustig?
Victor Lustig was a professional confidence trickster involved in numerous scams in Europe and the United States. He later became involved in counterfeiting and was arrested in 1935.
Why didn’t André Poisson report him?
According to the official Eiffel Tower history, Poisson was embarrassed by the deception and did not press charges, allowing Lustig to escape.
What was the Romanian money box?
It was a machine Lustig claimed could duplicate banknotes. In reality, it was part of an elaborate confidence trick designed to convince victims to pay large amounts of money for a useless device.
How did Victor Lustig die?
Lustig died from pneumonia in 1947 after being imprisoned in the United States.
Sources
Official Eiffel Tower: Victor Lustig and the Eiffel Tower scam
Smithsonian Magazine: Jeff Maysh, “The Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower. Twice.”
FBI historical records: Victor Lustig and his criminal history
Music by: Song and Sound effects by freesound_community from Pixabay
Images: Eiffel Tower Archives / AI-generated
🎥 YouTube Visual Episode: https://youtu.be/eppAesc_hSI
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