Workers at the Eiffel Tower are striking this week, and strikes may continue intermittently this year.
Visitors to Paris won’t be able to visit the Eiffel Tower—at least the upper levels that require ticketed access—for the second time in three months, as workers are striking the tower’s operator as part of an ongoing dispute over financial management.
The workers’ unions have entered a renewable strike notice, meaning that the strike could continue longer than the originally announced duration. Union representatives have said there was a possibility the strike could shutter the tower at least through Wednesday. The unions for the tower’s operator, SETE, also struck in December, closing the tower to visitors at that time.
The City of Paris owns 99% of SETE, and told Le Monde that they are “refusing to negotiate for the moment.” The workers say that the city has placed “untenable” financial expectations on the attraction, which could be detrimental to “the sustainability of the monument and the company that manages it.” The trade unions are demanding that the city allocate more money for upkeep and repairs to the aging monument.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
They say the city has underestimated the costs associated with maintaining the 135-year-old structure. A repainting initiative is currently underway, but efforts have been hampered by the discovery of lead, which requires special handling under French health codes, and has increased the costs associated with the project. The unions have also accused the city of deferring modernization of the tower’s elevators and some lighting fixtures.
A cash infusion of €60 million following revenue shortfalls during the COVID-19 pandemic is insufficient, the unions say, noting that the tower’s revenue shortfalls alone during the period are double that amount.
Visitors holding pre-paid admission tickets have been advised to check the e-mail address associated with their purchase for further instructions—including the option to receive a refund if their visit cannot be rescheduled.
SETE is also advising visitors to check the tower’s opening status before attempting to visit. The grounds surrounding the tower are expected to play a focal role in the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, slated to be held in July. Further strikes in the weeks leading up to and during the events could mar the success of the Paris games, especially after attendance estimates for the opening ceremonies were reduced.
Ticket prices for the tower for adults start at €11.80 to climb the stairs to the second floor; it’s €29.40 to take the elevator to the summit. Visitors who find the tower closed on the day of their visit can also take in city views from the Arc de Triomphe or the observation deck of the Montparnasse Tower.
The tower was originally built in 1889 to celebrate the centenary of the French Revolution. It was originally intended to stand for just two decades, but the structure’s value as a radio tower helped make it a permanent installation. Widely regarded as an enduring visual symbol of both Paris and France, it receives nearly 7 million visitors each year.
SETE operates the concession for the tower, including admissions and ticket sales, maintenance of the structure, operation of the snack bars and restaurants, and management of film rights.