By Ron Howells • Published: 16 Jul 2021 • 22:57
Eiffel Tower reopens eight months after being closed due to COVID. image: Wikipedia
Eiffel Tower reopens eight months after being closed due to COVID and has undergone extensive remodelling.
The Eiffel Tower reopened today, Friday, July 16, after an eight-month shutdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic, its longest closure since World War Two.
As a countdown clock at the foot of the tower turned to zero, there were cheers and applause from visitors queuing to get in, a brass band started playing and people starting filing through the entrance.
“We feel pretty lucky to be here,” said Patrick Perutka, an 18-year-old from Croatia who had been waiting for three hours for the gates to open.
He was on his first visit to the Eiffel Tower. “It’s a big deal,” he said of the tower. “Everyone knows about it.
Because of lingering concerns about the virus, masks remain compulsory for anyone over 11 years of age, and each elevator car will only carry half the normal number of visitors.
From July 21, visitors will need to show a French government “health pass” to demonstrate they are either vaccinated or have had a recent negative test for COVID-19.
Related:
Eiffel Tower To Reopen In July After Longest Closure Since WW2
The Paris landmark has been undergoing the most extensive update seen in its 130-year history ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The revamp will include a new paint job to give the monument a golden tint, however, the painting has been suspended following the discovery of traces of lead in existing layers which makes it a hazard to continue.
It was shut for over three months during the first wave of Covid in spring 2020, and then shut again in August, this is the longest closure since World War II.
Sete president Jean-François Martins said in a statement: “After several months of closure, we are impatient to have our staff and visitors back with, of course, a strict compliance with health protocols.”
Thank you for taking the time to read this article, please remember to come back and check The Euro Weekly News website for all your up-to-date local and international news stories.
Share this story
Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don't already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Ron actually started his working career as an Ophthalmic Technician- things changed when, during a band rehearsal, his amplifier blew up and he couldn’t get it fixed so he took a course at Birmingham University and ended up doing a degree course. He built up a chain of electronics stores and sold them as a franchise over 35 years ago. After five years touring the world Ron decided to move to Spain with his wife and son, a place they had visited over the years, and only bought the villa they live in because it has a guitar-shaped swimming pool!. Playing the guitar since the age of 7, he can often be seen, (and heard!) at beach bars and clubs along the length of the coast. He has always been interested in the news and constantly thrives to present his articles in an interesting and engaging way.
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don’t already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Download our media pack in either English or Spanish.