Staff strikes cause the Eiffel Tower to close

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, the Eiffel Tower, was closed on Monday due to a strike by employees, unions informed AFP.

They claimed that the walkout, which was organized in opposition to the monument’s financial management, may be prolonged.

On its website, SETE, the tower’s operator, said that “visits of the monument will be disrupted on Monday.”

It suggested that ticket buyers either postpone their visit or check its website before arriving. It was requested of e-ticket holders to check their emails for more details.

For the same reason, this halt marks the second strike at the Eiffel Tower in as many months.

Operator SETE has come under fire from unions for its economic strategy, which they claim is predicated on an exaggerated projection of future visitor numbers and an underestimation of building costs.

According to its website, the Eiffel Tower, the most well-known monument in Paris, welcomes up to seven million tourists annually, almost three-quarters of whom are foreigners.

Due to closures and travel restrictions during the Covid epidemic, the population fell precipitously; however, it rose to 5.9 million in 2022.

As the French city hosts the Olympic Games this summer, more people are anticipated to visit Paris.

The CGT and FO unions urged Paris “to be reasonable with their financial demands to ensure the survival of the monument and the company operating it” in a joint statement.