Eiffel Tower closed to visitors as nationwide protests and strikes hit Paris

In brief

• The Eiffel Tower was closed to the public on Thursday, 5 November, amid protests and strikes in France.
• Part of the secondary and higher education sector joined the demonstrations and rail traffic was partly disrupted.
• Reports described the closure as a precaution linked to the protests, not to a specific incident at the tower.

Closure amid nationwide action

The Eiffel Tower was shut to visitors on Thursday, 5 November, because of the protests taking place in Paris and other parts of France. (Wieża Eiffla zamknięta. W Paryżu trwają demonstracje i strajki – Rzeczpospolita) (Strajki i demonstracje we Francji. Wieża Eiffla zamknięta dla turystów – Bankier.pl) The operator's website confirmed that the landmark was closed to the public for the day.

Schools and transport affected

The demonstrations and strikes involved part of the secondary and higher education sector, according to reports on the day. Rail traffic was also partly disrupted, though the reports did not describe the scale of delays or cancellations.

Security concerns behind the decision

The closure was made out of a general concern about demonstrators, reports said, with the tower shut to the public in view of the protests. Both reports presented the move as a precaution linked directly to the protests rather than to any specific incident at the tower.