Eiffel Tower shuts down on its centennial anniversary: Strike disrupts Paris landmark visit
Eiffel Tower shuttered its doors to visitors on Wednesday, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Gustave Eiffel's passing due to a strike provoked by contract disputes.
Renowned as one of the globe's most frequented attractions, the Eiffel Tower, which traditionally welcomes guests 365 days a year, faced an unexpected closure—albeit sporadic shutdowns due to strikes—in a move that disappointed tourists. Beneath its iron silhouette, a prominent sign conveyed the closure in various languages, expressing regrets for the inconvenience caused, leading to mixed reactions among visitors.
Despite this setback, tourists were permitted access to the enclosed esplanade below the tower but were barred from entering the 984-foot structure itself. The CGT union's Stephane Dieu affirmed plans for reopening on Thursday.
This strike, strategically announced ahead of impending contract discussions with the city of Paris, the tower's proprietor, has its roots in concerns voiced by the monument's 400 employees about its long-term sustainability.
Dieu highlighted the financial challenges: «We had Covid. We lost a year of revenue. We have huge debts. The tower is more than 130 years and is starting to get tired. There’s a lot of renovation work that needs to be done in the coming years and decades. The management company needs the means to face this.»
The closure on this symbolic day, honoring Eiffel's legacy, affected visitors differently. While some, like Istvan Harman, adopted a practical approach, stating, «you have to go somewhere else,» others, like the Fontaine family, expressed disappointment. Emma Fontaine lamented, «It’s the first time we’ve been to Paris with the
