Eiffel Tower closed to visitors during nationwide strike in France

The notice said: "Due to the national strike, the Eiffel Tower is currently closed." Visitors holding electronic tickets were told to check their email for instructions from the tower's ticket office. Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, the company that runs the tower, said access had been suspended because of the protests, and the monument's tourism site warned that the strike could change opening hours and access.

Turnout and security

By 1 p.m. local time, about 270,000 demonstrators had joined 180 protests outside Paris, BFM TV reported, citing sources close to the interior minister. Organisers had expected between 500,000 and 700,000 people outside Paris and 40,000 to 80,000 in the capital. The Interior Ministry said it expected more than 220 public demonstrations during the day.

The CGT union, cited by AFP, put turnout at more than 250,000 people across 73 cities by the afternoon. The two counts cover different areas and times. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 70,000 police officers and gendarmes would be deployed, with the "primary mission" of keeping protests peaceful, City Air News reported.

Pay demands and public services

The CGT, CFDT and FO were among unions that called the action, with student groups supporting, News Mobile reported. Protesters demanded higher wages, improved purchasing power, stronger public services and more investment in education.

The Ministry of National Education said 15.81 percent of teachers took part in the strike. Nearly 33 percent of higher education institutions were affected by midday, with disruption at 60 of the country's 184 institutions. Nearly 10 percent of state civil service employees stopped work, according to the Ministry of Public Action and Accounts.

IBTimes reported that rail services were disrupted, particularly in and around Paris, that transport operators warned of delays and cancellations, that around 80 schools in Paris were affected and that several metro stations were closed. News Mobile reported that some schools closed or faced disruption as students joined protests and blocked entrances.

Clashes and budget backdrop

An official close to Nunez said most of the 270,000 people at rallies outside Paris were peaceful, OrissaPOST reported. Clashes were reported in Lyon, where officers fired tear gas, Ratopati reported.

The strike followed the rejection by French lawmakers of the first part of the 2027 budget bill. The government's original proposal now goes before the Senate, with a vote set for December 9. A parliamentary committee will then try to broker a compromise before the legislation returns to the National Assembly, Euro News reported.

The movement began in September with student demonstrations over school conditions and later drew in trade unions, City Air News reported.

No reopening date for the tower has been posted.