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Travel

Eiffel Tower reopens after five-day strike

December 19, 2016

The French capital's iconic monument was due to open around Sunday midday after a deal was struck between its management company SETE and labour union representatives.

https://p.dw.com/p/2UXsN
Frankreich Trauer nach Terroranschlägen in Paris
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Christians

"Numerous visitors, in Paris for end-of-year celebrations, will thus be able to experience a visit to the Eiffel Tower, discover its fabulous view over Paris and enjoy its famous ice skating rink on the first floor," said the tower's operator SETE in a statement. During the Christmas rush as many as 20,000 people a day ascend the tower.

The Eiffel Tower had been closed every day from Tuesday through Saturday, including on the birthday anniversary of the tower's architect Gustave Eiffel.

Union leaders had said they were striking over the lack of transparency about the management company's investment plan and its strategic decisions for 2017.

Among the projects that workers are concerned about are a major paint-stripping and repainting job to repair flaking areas of the 117-year-old tower which unions say poses health risks because of lead in the old paint.

On a normal weekday in winter, around 8,000 tourists visit the tower on the Champ de Mars, near the banks of the Seine. The tower attracts a total of around 7 million tourists a year.

is(ks (dpa/afp)