Eiffel Tower Closes Amid Nationwide Protests

The iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris shut its doors to visitors on Thursday, coinciding with a wave of nationwide protests. This strike mobilized thousands of workers, retirees, and students, who took to the streets in over 200 cities across France, expressing their discontent over budget cuts and urging for higher taxes on the wealthy.

Protesters gathered near the landmark, leading to its closure. Signs posted outside read, “Eiffel Tower is closed due to the strike. I apologize.”

The French Ministry of Interior noted that around 200,000 people participated in the protests, with about 24,000 of them in the capital city of Paris.

Sophie Binet, the leader of CGT, one of France’s largest trade unions, stated, “This is the first time there has been a three-day strike and protest in a month without government or budget.” She emphasized that this demonstrates a growing level of social anger.

Travelers were cautioned by the U.S. Embassy in France, advising them to stay clear of demonstrations and to remain vigilant near large gatherings.

In 2024, the Eiffel Tower recorded 6.3 million visitors, as per data from the operating company. Typically, around 16,500 tourists visit the tower daily. The landmark had also faced closures last year due to strikes concerning maintenance costs linked to the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics.

This year, the Louvre Museum had similarly closed its doors due to employee strikes, a reflection of the ongoing frustrations fueled by issues surrounding overtourism and working conditions.

As of now, there’s no announced date for the reopening of the Eiffel Tower.