Strikers close off Eiffel Tower on anniversary of creator’s death

The Eiffel Tower shut its doors to visitors today due to a strike over contract negotiations – on the 100th anniversary of Gustave Eiffel’s death.

Tourists were still able to access the glass-enclosed promenade beneath the tower, but access to the iconic French landmark itself is closed until ‘further notice’.

The strike was declared ahead of contract negotiations with the city of Paris, which owns the 134-year-old monument, a spokesperson said.

It remains unclear how long the closure will last, but visitors hoping to see the monument today were disappointed and many still lined up outside.

Eiffel Tower CGT Union representative Stephane Dieu said the strike honoured Gustave Eiffel’s memory as highlighting the upkeep of the tower was what would ensure its long-term survival.

The Eiffel Tower is traditionally open 365 days a year and is expected to play a central role in the 2024 Paris Olympics – though it does see occasional strikes.

Visitors still lined up outside, confused by the closure (Picture: AFP)

The tower’s creator, Gustave Eiffel, died 100 years ago today (Picture: AFP)

It normally sees about 20,000 visitors per day this time of year, the spokesperson said.

A special music show marking the death of Gustav Eiffel on Dec. 27, 1923 is still scheduled to be aired on social networks and French television Wednesday night, because it was pre-recorded, the spokeswoman said.

In 2019, the iconic tower was shut when a man tried to scale the side of it.

Police and other emergency workers, including firefighters in the French capital, were immediately scrambled to the 900 feet structure

Police spent some half-an-hour negotiating with the unidentified man who was considered to be in ‘a very dangerous position’.

Photos posted on social media suggested the man had got around two thirds of the way up the tower.

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