Mademoiselle Eiffel: A Novel By Aimie K. Runyan

In The Legacy of the Eiffel Tower, a captivating historical novel set in nineteenth-century Paris, the remarkable life of Claire Eiffel unfolds against the backdrop of a city in transformation. Claire, the eldest daughter of the famed architect Gustave Eiffel, grows up amidst privilege and opportunity, receiving an education typically reserved for sons. However, her world changes dramatically when her mother dies, leaving Claire to step into her mother’s role as caregiver and household manager at just fourteen.

Claire’s innate competence soon earns her a pivotal role in her father’s life and work. As Gustave’s confidante, private secretary, and eventually a skilled architect in her own right, Claire becomes integral to his groundbreaking projects. But her place in her father's world is threatened when Gustave’s promising protégé, Adolphe Salles, starts to overshadow her. Despite their initial friction, Claire and Adolphe’s relationship evolves from rivalry to romance, culminating in their marriage in 1885.

The couple’s union brings them the prestigious commission of designing the Eiffel Tower for the 1889 World’s Fair, a symbol of Paris’s prominence in art and architecture. As Claire hosts international dignitaries like Thomas Edison, she is not only defending her family’s legacy but also managing the complexities of public scrutiny.

When Gustave’s involvement in a failed Panama Canal project leads to his imprisonment, Claire faces the immense challenge of securing her father’s freedom while preserving their hard-won achievements. The Legacy of the Eiffel Tower is a poignant tribute to Claire Eiffel’s dedication, love, and tireless efforts to uphold a family legacy that would come to define Paris's iconic skyline. 📚❤️