In the middle of Berlin’s working-class district of Wedding, a 13-meter-high Parisian monument suddenly rises up. The Eiffel Tower in front of the Centre Français de Berlin on Müllerstraße has been a faithful replica of the French landmark since 1994. The French troops presented the structure to the people of Berlin during their ceremonial withdrawal following reunification. Here you’ll find a tangible testament to Franco-German friendship that keeps the eventful history of the former French sector visible in the cityscape to this day.
France’s Legacy in Northern Berlin
France took over the administration of Reinickendorf and Wedding in the summer of 1945. The occupiers quickly became allies. In 1948, the French armed forces, together with Berlin civilians, built Tegel Airport in record time for the Berlin Airlift. The soldiers moved into their quarters at what is now the Julius-Leber Barracks, secured the borders, and brought a taste of French life to the district with schools, baguettes, and festivals.
A Movie Theater and Plenty of Savoir-vivre
Founded in 1961, the cultural center brought language courses, cooking evenings, and authentic Parisian culture to Müllerstraße. The center’s own movie theater, L’Aiglon, screened films in their original languages, while French bakeries supplied the neighborhood with fresh croissants. Over the decades, the strict military presence gave way to a close bond between the troops and the people of Berlin.
Larch wood instead of wrought iron
The Little Eiffel Tower is by no means made of cold steel. It was built primarily from weather-resistant larch wood and reinforced with sturdy steel beams. When the original structure fell into disrepair after many years, young German and French craftsmen simply joined forces to rebuild the monument. That’s how Franco-German friendship works.
By public transit, simply get off at the Rehberge subway station (U6), which is just a few minutes’ walk away. By car, drive along Müllerstraße directly to the cultural center, where you can look for parking spots in the surrounding streets.
📍 Location: Centre Français de Berlin, Müllerstraße 74, 13349 Berlin
📆 Date and time: Visible from the outside 24/7, year-round
⏳ Duration: approx. 15 to 30 minutes for photos and exploration
💵 Cost: Free
