Eiffel Tower Closes on Centenary of Creator's Death Amid Workers' Strike
The iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris closed its gates to the public on Wednesday as staff went on strike to voice their concerns about the management of the renowned landmark.
France's CGT union highlighted that the timing was deliberate and coincides with the centenary of Gustave Eiffel's death on December 27, 1923. The engineer responsible for the tower's creation passed away exactly a century ago at the age of 91.
The tower operator SETE apologised for the strike as it affected visitors with electronic tickets. Despite this, the esplanade beneath and surrounding the structure remains accessible to the public.
The CGT union emphasised their strike was a response to SETE's perceived economic mismanagement, citing an "over-ambitious and untenable" business model that underestimated visitor numbers and maintenance costs.
The upcoming annual closure of the Eiffel Tower's top floor for renovations next month adds an additional layer of complexity to the situation.
While the strike disrupted regular visits, the spirit of celebration persisted. French President Emmanuel Macron paid homage to Gustave Eiffel, stating on X, formerly Twitter, "100 years since Gustave Eiffel left us. But his legacy to the world is very much alive!"
Despite the strike, a special sound and light concert organised by French DJ Michaël Canitrot, is set to take place on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower later on tonight. This unique tribute will honour the monumental legacy of Gustave Eiffel, whose architectural masterpiece continues to define the Parisian skyline.
