Eiffel Tower reopens after security staff strike

The famous Parisian monument was closed until Saturday (April 14) afternoon, due to a strike that began on Friday (April 13).

According to workers’ union CGT, security staff were protesting after three of their former colleagues had been fired, allegedly for distributing a petition asking for better working conditions.

The Tower’s restaurants, 58 Tour Eiffel and Jules Verne, were also closed during the strike, as were the gardens for a time. All have since reopened.

On its official Twitter account, @LaTourEiffel, Tower staff explained that guests who had paid for pre-booked tickets, but were not able to access the Tower at their allotted time due to the strike, would be automatically reimbursed via credit card in the next few weeks.

In 2017, the monument attracted 6.2 million visitors, marking 300 million visitors in total since it first opened in 1889.

Now almost 130 years old, the Tower is set to undergo significant renovations between now and 2023, including the installation of a €20 million “bulletproof terrorism-proof glass wall” around the base.

Modernising improvements to the visitor reception and facilities are also planned.