Strike at the Eiffel Tower closes one of the world's most popular tourist sites

Visitors to the iconic Eiffel Tower faced disappointment on Monday as a strike, rooted in concerns over poor financial management, led to the closure of one of the world's most-visited sites. A sign at the entrance, posted in English, conveyed the message: "Due to a strike, the Eiffel Tower is closed. We apologize."

The 330-meter (1083-foot) landmark, situated in central Paris, has witnessed a surge in visitor numbers in anticipation of the upcoming Summer Olympics in the French capital. Tourists planning a visit were pre-warned of disruptions in multiple languages on the tower's website, urging them to check for updates before heading to the monument or consider postponing their trip. Electronic ticket holders were advised to check their inboxes for any updates.

The operator of the Eiffel Tower also announced on its website that visits to the iconic structure would face disruptions on Tuesday as well. "We're a little disappointed, but we understand that people deserve a fair wage and proper working conditions," Marisa Solis, an American tourist from New York City, told AP.


Typically open 365 days a year, this marks the second closure in two months due to strikes. In December, during the Christmas and New Year holidays, the tower shut down for an entire day due to a strike related to contract negotiations.

Morgan McKenny, an American residing in Germany, expressed her disappointment, saying, "Knowing that I can't come to the tower today is very, very disappointing." She acknowledged the workers' dedication to preserving the tower for the future.

Stephane Dieu of the CGT union, representing a substantial number of Eiffel Tower employees, explained that Monday's strike aims at securing a salary increase proportional to the revenue from ticket sales and improved maintenance of the monument owned by the Paris municipality. Union leaders criticize the operator's business model, citing an inflated estimate of future visitor numbers, maintenance costs, and employee compensation.

“They are giving priority to short-term benefits over long-term conservation of the monument and the well-being of the company we are working for,” Dieu emphasized at the Eiffel Tower picket line on Monday.