THE Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors on Wednesday due to a strike over contract negotiations.
The protest coincides with the 100th anniversary of Gustave Eiffel’s death, the creator of the iconic monument.
While tourists were visibly disappointed, some rearranged their plans, and the closure sign beneath the tower’s iron façade apologised for the inconvenience in multiple languages.
It’s after the holidays, we’re in the middle of school holidays, we’ve been on the road, we French coming from the South of France, only to discover that it’s closed, too bad.
“It’s after the holidays, we’re in the middle of school holidays, we’ve been on the road, we French coming from the South of France, only to discover that it’s closed, too bad,” according to Audray, Visitor from South of France.
“We came from Saint-Nazaire with my son and grandchildren to spend a day in Paris and climb the Eiffel Tower to show it to the children. We are very disappointed with this strike obviously, but I think it’s Made in France…the strike,” Regis, Visitor from Saint-Nazaire, France said.
“I don’t know the reasons and why they’re going on strike or any explanations or anything else, and I find it a shame not to be able to visit, we don’t come to Paris every day and when we can finally come and visit, well there is a strike,” Alana, Visitor from Landes, France stated.
“I don’t know why they’re going on strike, but it’s true that at the end of the year, during holidays, to go on strike at this precise moment, it’s complicated for visitors to understand why,” Yousef, Visitor from Eure-et-Loir, France stated.
“I wasn’t aware of it. I don’t know the reasons (for the strike), but we can see it (the Eiffel Tower) from afar so that still allows us to enjoy it even if we can’t go up to the top,” Vincent, Local said.
Visitors could still access the glass-enclosed esplanade beneath the tower Wednesday but could not enter the 300-metre landmark itself.
The CGT union said it was slated to reopen soon.
According to media reports, the workers at the monument, organised by France’s CGT union, were protesting the management of the tower and expressed concerns about its long-term prospects.
The strike declared ahead of contract negotiations with the city of Paris prompted the closure, affecting the plans of tourists visiting one of the world’s most-visited sites.
