On the 100th anniversary of Gustave Eiffel’s demise, the iconic Eiffel Tower closed its doors, leaving numerous tourists disappointed. The strike was initiated by the CGT union, expressing concerns over the management practices of the tower.
Tourists, anticipating a visit to the 134-year-old monument, received notifications about its closure and were assured of further communication via email. The CGT union highlighted its grievances, particularly emphasizing the unsustainable business model of the tower’s operating company, SETE. They argue that SETE’s projections, banking on an annual footfall of 7.4 million visitors, are overly optimistic and detached from reality.
Historically, the Eiffel Tower has been a beacon for tourists worldwide, attracting nearly 7 million visitors annually before the onset of the Covid pandemic. Despite challenges, visitor numbers rebounded to 5.9 million in 2022 post the pandemic-induced restrictions.
Amidst the strike, a commemorative light and sound spectacle celebrating Eiffel’s legacy proceeded as planned from the tower’s first floor. This tribute was pre-recorded and broadcasted across social media and television platforms.
Gustave Eiffel, renowned for his structural genius, passed away on December 27, 1923. Initially designed for the 1889 Universal Exhibition as a temporary fixture, the 10,100-tonne iron marvel evolved into Paris’s most emblematic landmark. Despite early criticisms labeling it as “monstrous,” the tower endured and stood as a testament to French innovation, rising 312 meters above the cityscape.
Looking ahead, the Eiffel Tower’s top floor is slated for temporary closure next month for its routine annual maintenance.
