Staff Strike Shuts Down Eiffel Tower on Centenary of Creator’s Death
The iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris was closed to the public on Wednesday as staff members went on strike, citing concerns about the management of the historic structure. The strike coincided with the 100th anniversary of the death of Gustave Eiffel, the French engineer and entrepreneur who designed the Tower.
According to France’s powerful CGT union, the employees were protesting against the way the Tower was being managed by operator SETE. The union claimed that the economic model being employed by SETE was “over-ambitious and untenable,” underestimating the costs of maintenance and renovation as well as the annual number of visitors to the Tower.
The top floor of the Eiffel Tower is also due to close next month for an annual renovation. Despite the strike, the esplanade beneath and surrounding the structure remained open to visitors.
While the strike may have disrupted visitors’ plans, celebrations for the centenary of Gustave Eiffel’s death are still set to go on. A sound and light concert is scheduled to be broadcast from the first floor of the Tower in honor of Eiffel’s legacy.
French President Emmanuel Macron also paid homage to Eiffel in a post on social media, recognizing the engineer’s contributions to the world. Eiffel, known for his work in civil engineering, also played a role in the construction of the Statue of Liberty.
Completed in 1889, the Eiffel Tower has remained one of the world’s prime tourist attractions, drawing in millions of visitors every year. Despite the strike, the Tower’s significance as a symbol of French industrial prowess and a defining image of Paris continues to endure.