The Eiffel Tower in Paris closed today, the 100th anniversary of its creator’s death, due to a strike by workers.
The closure was confirmed by Societe d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), the company that oversees the city’s most famous landmark.
“A symbolic action on a symbolic date,” the CGT union said in a statement, adding that staff members wanted to call out the current financial management of SETE.
The union said that workers feared poor decisions could lead to a cash shortage, due in part to a lack of visitors during the Covid-19 pandemic, and to expensive repairs that are required .
The statement added that if the city did not revise its management, the tower could be closed during the Olympic Games in Paris next year.
The wrought-iron 324-metre high landmark, built by Gustave Eiffel in the late 19th century, is among the most visited tourist sites in the world, welcoming about six million visitors each year.
