The Eiffel Tower, one of the world’s most beloved tourist attractions, was closed to visitors on Monday due to a strike staged by employees protesting poor financial management. This marks the second closure in two months, with the previous shutdown occurring during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
A sign posted at the entrance, written in English, apologized to disappointed visitors, stating, “Due to a strike, the Eiffel Tower is closed.” The 330-meter (1083-foot) tall landmark in central Paris has experienced a surge in visitor numbers in anticipation of the upcoming Summer Olympics in the French capital.
Tourists who planned to visit the Eiffel Tower on Monday were forewarned of potential disruptions through multiple languages on the monument’s website. They were advised to check for updates before heading to the iconic site. Electronic ticket holders were also urged to review their inboxes for relevant information. The Eiffel Tower’s operator announced on its website that disruptions would continue into Tuesday.
Stephane Dieu, representing the CGT union, which includes a significant number of Eiffel Tower employees, explained that the strike aims to secure a salary increase proportionate to the rising revenue from ticket sales. Additionally, employees are calling for improved maintenance of the monument, which is owned by the Paris municipality.
Dieu criticized the Eiffel Tower operator’s business model, accusing it of relying on inflated estimates of future visitor numbers, maintenance costs, and employee compensation. In an interview with The Associated Press at the picket line, Dieu stated, “They are giving priority to short-term benefits over the long-term conservation of the monument and the well-being of the company we are working for.”
The ongoing dispute has left both tourists and citizens frustrated, raising concerns about the impact on the city’s tourism industry, especially with the Summer Olympics just around the corner. The closure of this iconic symbol of Parisian culture underscores the challenges faced by workers in balancing fair wages and working conditions with the preservation of cultural treasures.
