Guillaume Dominguez / Photo credit: GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP 8:57 p.m., February 22, 2024

Due to a union strike denouncing financial mismanagement on the part of the town hall, the Eiffel Tower was unable to open its doors to visitors this Thursday, for the fourth consecutive day.

The tourists are disappointed, but understand the mobilization of the monument's employees.

Nearly seven million visitors per year, but none since Monday.

Due to a union strike denouncing financial mismanagement on the part of the town hall, the Eiffel Tower remained closed this Thursday for the fourth consecutive day.

At the foot of the emblematic monument of the French capital, tourists had to make do.

Like Mehdi and his wife, umbrella in one hand, camera in the other.

They will have to be content with a simple photo of the tower, seen from below.

The young man, however, wants to be understanding.

“It’s a real shame, but I prefer not to go up and that, behind it, there are people who are mobilizing for the survival of the Eiffel Tower.” 

Huge maintenance costs 

The strikers are generally supported by tourists, including those coming from very far away.

Kathleen crossed the Atlantic from Atlanta, USA, to see the Iron Lady.

"I'm sad because I wanted to go up, but I understand. It'll be for next time, it doesn't matter." 

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Employees are demanding an increase in the fees paid by the Eiffel Tower to the City of Paris.

“In 2023, we were at 8 million euros per year. This year, we are at 16 million and the next years, it will be 50 million per year. On a turnover which can be between 100 and 120 million euros per year, for the Eiffel Tower, it’s untenable.”

So many funds which will not be used for the maintenance of the monument eaten away by rust.

The cost of the latest painting work on the tower alone amounts to more than 35 million euros.