Tourists Frustrated As Eiffel Tower Closes in Peak Season

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Tourists Frustrated As Eiffel Tower Closes in Peak Season
By the Associated Press/ Business/ Miami Herald/ miamiherald.com

PARIS

"The August sun sparkles on the Seine River beyond the imposing Eiffel Tower.

But the many visitors who descended on the beloved Paris monument Thursday at the peak of the summer tourist season had their hopes of climbing it thwarted.

Since Wednesday, Eiffel Tower workers have been on strike over the landmark's new visitor access policy, which they say is responsible for inordinately long queues.

Yet for many visitors whose stay is limited, long queues are better than no access at all.


German tourist Nico Schulze Bilk, who had planned his visit to Paris eight months ago, voiced frustration.

"This is my first time in Paris and I was really excited to see the Eiffel Tower and ... the city from the top, but now it is closed," he said. "I'm a little bit disappointed."

Caroline Brawand, who was visiting with her family from Switzerland, had planned to share the magical view with her daughter for the first time.

"We are very let down, because we booked one month in advance to go up to the last floor of the Eiffel Tower," she said. "At the same time we understand the employees who explained to us the state of the queues."....."

Tourists walk past the Eiffel Tower, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Paris. The visitors descending on the Eiffel Tower at the peak of the August tourist season are voicing frustration that the beloved Paris monument is closed. Since Wednesday, Eiffel Tower workers have been on strike over the new visitor access policy, which they say is responsible for inordinately long queues.(AP Photo/Michel Euler) Michel Euler AP

Richard

 

[mjm1]

Thanks for sharing this article. We will be in Paris next Monday. Fortunately, we have already climbed the stairs of the Eiffel Tower and then taken the elevator to the top deck, so we probably weren't going to do it again this trip. Still, that's disappointing for visitors who have never enjoyed that experience.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[pedro47]

Climbing the Eiffel Tower is a must tourist attraction thing to do, for any visit to Paris IMHO.

 

[silentg]

Hope they settle this before October/November. Hoping to go up, last time I missed because I was sick.
So beautiful!
Silentg

 

[ragdoll]

I have been to Paris at least a dozen times, sometimes for weeks at a time but I have never gone to the Eiffel Tower. And I have no interest in doing so. There are so many places to visit in Paris that are more worthy of my time. And there are many great views of the city to be had if one takes the time to seek them out.

 

[dlpearson]

FYI, that photo is totally bogus. There is no grass/water underneath the Eiffel Tower.

 

[Talent312]

FYI, that photo is totally bogus. There is no grass/water underneath the Eiffel Tower.

Indeed.
We took the elevator to the top. It was a white-knuckle ride.
The wind made it sway and with glass sides, it was very exposed.
.