In 2007, a woman named Erika La Tour Eiffel married the Eiffel Tower.
The Woman Who Married the Eiffel Tower in 2007
Yes, you read that right. In 2007, a woman named Erika LaBrie held a commitment ceremony in which she "married" the Eiffel Tower in Paris. She was so committed to the relationship that she legally changed her name to Erika La Tour Eiffel.
But this wasn't a publicity stunt or an elaborate art project. Erika identifies with objectum sexuality (or OS), a sexual orientation characterized by romantic and emotional attraction to inanimate objects. For her, the Eiffel Tower wasn't just steel and rivets—it was love.
Love at First Sight (Sort Of)
Erika first encountered the Eiffel Tower in 2004 during a visit to Paris. She describes feeling an immediate, powerful connection to the iconic structure. Three years later, she formalized her feelings with a commitment ceremony attended by close friends.
While the marriage had no legal standing (you can't actually marry a building), Erika's devotion was genuine. She told ABC News that people with objectum sexuality "feel an innate connection to objects. It comes perfectly normal to us to connect on various levels—emotional, spiritual, and also physical."
She's Not Alone
Erika founded OS Internationale, an organization supporting people who develop significant relationships with inanimate objects. Research by clinical sexologist Amy Marsh found that many in the objectum sexuality community have unique neurological profiles—about half of those surveyed showed traits associated with autism spectrum disorders.
And the Eiffel Tower wasn't Erika's first love. She'd previously been in relationships with:
- The Berlin Wall
- A Japanese sword
- An F-15 fighter jet
- An archery bow named Lance (which helped her become a world-class competitive archer)
- The crane she operates
The Relationship Ended
Unfortunately, like many whirlwind romances, this one didn't last. In a 2019 interview, Erika revealed that her relationship with the Eiffel Tower ended years earlier. The reason? Media sensationalism.
After news outlets sexualized and sensationalized her story, she no longer felt welcome at the tower the way she once had. The public attention transformed something deeply personal into tabloid fodder, and the magic faded.
Today, Erika continues advocating for the objectum sexuality community, helping others understand that love—in all its forms—can be real, even when it defies conventional expectations.