Eiffel Tower closure for Olympics sparks protests

24-07-24

The start of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has generated great expectation and unprecedented preparation. The opening ceremony, scheduled to be held on the Seine River, seeks to showcase to the world the iconic tourist sites of the French capital such as Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Esplanade des Invalides and the Grand Palais. However, this preparation has resulted in the temporary closure of some of these monuments, affecting tourists currently visiting the city.

One of the most significant closures is that of the Eiffel Tower. The Trocadero esplanade, adjacent to the tower, will be the stage where the Olympic cauldron will be lit, marking the official start of the Games. This decision has made the Eiffel Tower inaccessible to visitors, generating a wave of discontent among tourists.

Social networks have been the main vehicle to express the discomfort. Videos shared by Touristsbehaviour show visitors frustrated at the impossibility of approaching the Eiffel Tower. The images reflect long lines and jeers from tourists, who found the entrance closed and a fence obstructing any view or photograph of the iconic structure.