The world famous tourist hotspot in Paris, the Eiffel Tower, has been shut since October 2, 2025, amid nationwide strike. As demonstrators streamed from Place d’Italie toward the Eiffel Tower, its management issued a statement informing the public that the landmark was closed to visitors because of the strike, reported The Associated Press.
All about the strikeOn October 2, 2025, protesters flooded the streets of over 200 French cities to oppose government spending cuts and demand higher taxes on the wealthy. In Paris, thousands of workers, retirees, and students marched from Place d’Italie as part of a nationwide strike called by major unions. Amid the unrest, the Eiffel Tower announced its closure due to the strike. Unions urged Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to scrap draft budget measures involving welfare freezes and austerity policies that, they argue, threaten middle- and low-income households.
Who runs the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is managed by SETE (Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel), under a public service concession agreement with the City of Paris. SETE is in charge of visitor operations, maintenance, safety, and upgrades of the monument. Its press releases and communications are the primary venue for official announcements about closures, reopenings, and operational changes.
Thus, any credible change in status, especially a closure for an extended period or plans of major structural alteration, would be expected to be publicly addressed by SETE or Paris municipal authorities.
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What is the real reason for the closure
The Eiffel Tower closure has been due to nationwide strikes in France, rather than any plan for demolition. During protests in over 200 towns and cities against proposed austerity measures, the Eiffel Tower management announced it was “closed due to the strikes.” A sign was also posted at the monument, which states, “Due to a strike, the Eiffel Tower is closed. We apologize.”
Historically, the Eiffel Tower has been closed occasionally due to labor disputes. For example:
In August 2018, the Eiffel Tower closed for two days as staff went on strike, protesting new visitor management policies that caused long queues and overcrowding. The unions organizing the strike argued that the changes were unfair to both employees and tourists. France24 reported that the action caused major disruptions during the busy tourist season.
In May 2019, authorities evacuated the Eiffel Tower after a man was seen climbing the structure. His actions prompted officials to clear the area to ensure visitor safety. France24 reported that the incident caused considerable disruption for those at the landmark.
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In March 2020, the Eiffel Tower shut its doors to the public as part of France’s nationwide measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
In February 2024, a strike by staff forced the tower to remain closed for consecutive days. That strike ended after SETE and unions reached an accord (including commitments to revisit maintenance funding), and the tower reopened.
Thus, the recent closure mirrors prior instances in which labor disputes disrupted normal operations of the Eiffel Tower, but none of those earlier closures were tied to demolition.
Why demolition rumors arise
The Eiffel Tower, now Paris’s iconic symbol of love and romance, almost never made it past its 20th birthday. When it was unveiled for the 1889 World’s Fair, critics slammed it as “monstrous,” “useless,” and a “tragic street lamp.” Even architect Charles Garnier, designer of the Paris Opera, called it “this horrible thing.”
The tower began in 1884 as a daring idea by engineers Émile Nouguier and Maurice Koechlin, with Gustave Eiffel backing the vision. Initially, the city planned to demolish it after 20 years. But Eiffel had a plan: he made the tower indispensable for science, using its height for weather observations, radio experiments, and early wireless transmissions.
By the time the permit expired, the Eiffel Tower had proven too valuable—and too iconic, to remove. Today, it stands as one of the world’s most beloved monuments, far beyond the skeptics’ wildest imaginations.
This past debate sometimes surfaces in modern discussions, especially when closures or maintenance problems attract attention.
The tower is made of wrought iron, and preserving it demands constant upkeep (painting, anti-corrosion work, inspections). Workers in past strikes have publicly voiced concerns about rust and underinvestment, which can feed perception of structural decline. But “rust” or superficial corrosion is different from structural failure or a plan to demolish.
However, despite these drivers, no official statement from SETE, Paris city authorities, or national heritage bodies supports any idea that the Eiffel Tower is slated for demolition.
What to expect going forward Reopening timelineGiven the pattern from past strikes, the closure is likely to last only so long as negotiations or disputes remain unresolved. After past stoppages, the tower reopened once agreements were reached. Once the labor action subsides, SETE can resume normal operations, repairs, and visitor access.
All about the strikeOn October 2, 2025, protesters flooded the streets of over 200 French cities to oppose government spending cuts and demand higher taxes on the wealthy. In Paris, thousands of workers, retirees, and students marched from Place d’Italie as part of a nationwide strike called by major unions. Amid the unrest, the Eiffel Tower announced its closure due to the strike. Unions urged Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to scrap draft budget measures involving welfare freezes and austerity policies that, they argue, threaten middle- and low-income households.
Who runs the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is managed by SETE (Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel), under a public service concession agreement with the City of Paris. SETE is in charge of visitor operations, maintenance, safety, and upgrades of the monument. Its press releases and communications are the primary venue for official announcements about closures, reopenings, and operational changes.
Thus, any credible change in status, especially a closure for an extended period or plans of major structural alteration, would be expected to be publicly addressed by SETE or Paris municipal authorities.
Read more: 5 popular Indian coastal destinations to avoid right now due to Cyclone Shakthi’s effect
What is the real reason for the closure
The Eiffel Tower closure has been due to nationwide strikes in France, rather than any plan for demolition. During protests in over 200 towns and cities against proposed austerity measures, the Eiffel Tower management announced it was “closed due to the strikes.” A sign was also posted at the monument, which states, “Due to a strike, the Eiffel Tower is closed. We apologize.”
Historically, the Eiffel Tower has been closed occasionally due to labor disputes. For example:
In August 2018, the Eiffel Tower closed for two days as staff went on strike, protesting new visitor management policies that caused long queues and overcrowding. The unions organizing the strike argued that the changes were unfair to both employees and tourists. France24 reported that the action caused major disruptions during the busy tourist season.
In May 2019, authorities evacuated the Eiffel Tower after a man was seen climbing the structure. His actions prompted officials to clear the area to ensure visitor safety. France24 reported that the incident caused considerable disruption for those at the landmark.
Read more: Mumbai’s first fully underground metro is now operational: routes, ticket prices, and more
In March 2020, the Eiffel Tower shut its doors to the public as part of France’s nationwide measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
In February 2024, a strike by staff forced the tower to remain closed for consecutive days. That strike ended after SETE and unions reached an accord (including commitments to revisit maintenance funding), and the tower reopened.
Thus, the recent closure mirrors prior instances in which labor disputes disrupted normal operations of the Eiffel Tower, but none of those earlier closures were tied to demolition.
Why demolition rumors arise The Eiffel Tower, now Paris’s iconic symbol of love and romance, almost never made it past its 20th birthday. When it was unveiled for the 1889 World’s Fair, critics slammed it as “monstrous,” “useless,” and a “tragic street lamp.” Even architect Charles Garnier, designer of the Paris Opera, called it “this horrible thing.”
The tower began in 1884 as a daring idea by engineers Émile Nouguier and Maurice Koechlin, with Gustave Eiffel backing the vision. Initially, the city planned to demolish it after 20 years. But Eiffel had a plan: he made the tower indispensable for science, using its height for weather observations, radio experiments, and early wireless transmissions.
By the time the permit expired, the Eiffel Tower had proven too valuable—and too iconic, to remove. Today, it stands as one of the world’s most beloved monuments, far beyond the skeptics’ wildest imaginations.
This past debate sometimes surfaces in modern discussions, especially when closures or maintenance problems attract attention.
The tower is made of wrought iron, and preserving it demands constant upkeep (painting, anti-corrosion work, inspections). Workers in past strikes have publicly voiced concerns about rust and underinvestment, which can feed perception of structural decline. But “rust” or superficial corrosion is different from structural failure or a plan to demolish.
However, despite these drivers, no official statement from SETE, Paris city authorities, or national heritage bodies supports any idea that the Eiffel Tower is slated for demolition.
What to expect going forward Reopening timelineGiven the pattern from past strikes, the closure is likely to last only so long as negotiations or disputes remain unresolved. After past stoppages, the tower reopened once agreements were reached. Once the labor action subsides, SETE can resume normal operations, repairs, and visitor access.
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