As France gradually removes or reduces pandemic-based restrictions, tickets for the Eiffel Tower have gone on sale again as the landmark prepares to re-open on July 16th, ending the longest closing since World War II.
The tower, which is also undergoing a major rehabilitation and maintenance project to be ready for the 2024 Paris Olympics, will open all floors and facilities, but with at first limited daily numbers, especially in the elevators which will be limited to 50% capacity. Normally, on warm days especially, the lines for the lifts can be hours-long.
The loss of business during the shutdown and the prospect of limited income now are a big worry for Sete, the company that operates the tower. Because of the year of restrictions, it expects a €70 million loss for 2021 on top of last year’s €52 million loss, and is asking Paris authorities to help out with new financing. In a normal year, about seven million visitors, three-quarters of them from abroad, visit the tower.
Meanwhile, the renovations and repainting, which will leave the tower with a golden hue this time, have been held up by the discovery of lead paint in areas that are seeing work; the hazard must be remediated before painting can be completed.
