This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
Paris, France, June 25, 2020 - The Eiffel Tower, a symbol of French resilience, has reopened its gates to tourists and locals alike, marking a significant milestone in the country's journey out of lockdown.
On Thursday, a small crowd of around 50 people, mostly French, gathered at the iconic landmark to begin the steep climb to the first two levels. The elevators and top observation deck remain closed due to social distancing concerns.
Therese, a 60-year-old visitor from Perpignan, expressed her joy and relief at the reopening, saying, 'I'm tearing up, but they're tears of joy. It's an emotional moment after these difficult months.'
Face masks are compulsory, and visitors are being encouraged to maintain social distancing. Ground markings have been made to enforce this, and the operating company, SETE, has promised daily cleaning and disinfection of public spaces.
The Eiffel Tower usually receives around seven million visitors per year, with three-quarters coming from abroad. However, due to the pandemic, visitor numbers will be tightly limited for now.
Patrick Branco Ruivo, director general of SETE, said that the top of the tower will reopen on July 15, with only eight people allowed into the elevators at a time. The 104-day closure has cost the company 27 million euros ($30 million) in lost sales.
France lifted restrictions at European borders on June 15, and the tourism industry hopes that foreign visitors will start pouring in again as the summer season kicks off. To encourage locals to visit, ticket prices for children have been halved for July and August.
While some of the tower's eateries have reopened, the Michelin-starred Jules Verne will open on June 30. Branco Ruivo urged Parisians and French to take advantage of the reopened Eiffel Tower, saying, 'Now is the time to come to the Eiffel Tower, you won't have to stand in line!'
