Joy as Eiffel Tower reopens
– Tourists and Parisians panted their way up the stairs of the Eiffel Tower on Thursday as the iron monument reopened after its longest closure since World War II due to the coronavirus, with the lifts still closed as a health precaution.
The initial crowds of dozens of people braving blazing early summer heat were a far cry from the usual queues at the tower’s base in the centre of the French capital. But the moment of the reopening of the great edifice was a symbolic one as the country emerges from the virus lockdown.
The first visitors had to tackle the steep climb to the first or second level by the stairs, with elevators as well as the top observation deck off-limits because of social distancing concerns.
“I’m tearing up, but they’re tears of joy. It’s an emotional moment after these difficult months,” said Therese, visiting from the southern French city of Perpignan.
“I’m going to climb, but slowly,” said the 60 year old, wearing the obligatory face mask.
Those brave enough for the challenge in the heat mounted via the eastern leg or pillar of the 10 100 ton landmark, coming back down via the west pillar to prevent ascending and descending visitors crossing on the stairs.
Turning around halfway is not allowed and many people stopped their ascent at the first floor – more than 300 steps from ground level.
As security guards went around reminding people to wear keep their masks on, Mexican engineering student Alex Mena, who lives in Belgium, said he timed his first visit to Paris to coincide with Thursday’s reopening.
“Coming to Paris without seeing the Tour Eiffel is like eating cake without the cherry,” he said.
Tape markings on the ground enforced social distancing and site operator SETE has promised “daily cleaning and disinfection of public spaces at the tower”. The middle seats on three-person benches were marked off-limits, and visitors were offered sanitising hand gel at regular intervals.
SETE director-general Patrick Branco Ruivo said the tower’s top level would not reopen until 15 July. The 104-day closure cost the company €27 million (R516 878 000 million) in lost sales, with visitor numbers not expected to return to normal any time soon.