The Eiffel Tower’s Queue Quandary
Got a date with Paris’s iconic Eiffel Tower? Think again. For two days straight, the tower’s grand entrance was closed, spurred by a strike that’s turning a historic backdrop into a battlefield of elevators and waiting lists.
Why the Surreal Traffic Jam?
- The management decided to split elevators: one lane for pre‑booked tickets; another for folks buying on the spot.
- Meanwhile, the portal to the tower now reserves half of its daily tickets for online buyers, up from a mere 20 %.
- The result? Chronic backlogs—up to three hours for cash‑pay locals, and even one hour for savvy internet patrons with supposedly scheduled slots.
Say It Like a Tourist
Travelers walking into the Eiffel’s magnetism are now stuck in a “queue reality show”.
- Hema — a traveler with a wife and two teenaged kids — shared, “We may or may not come again, because we spent so much money.”
- She added, “It’s not nice; is it an injustice to visitors?”
Management’s Counter‑Move
SETE, the tar and steel operator with the city of Paris owning the majority stake, voiced its side:
“SETE is well aware of the disappointment for visitors due to the monument’s closure, and its negative impact on the image of both the city and country.”
Background & History
The 300‑strong crew has staged protests before, citing pickpocketing woes and maintenance headaches. The Eiffel, a magnet for over six million mates each year, is also a lightning‑rod for managerial missteps.
Takeaway
When a world‑famous monument turns into a traffic spectacle, expect a new kind of tourist experience. Your chest might be big, but so are the queues. Stay curious, stay patient, and maybe email your friend, “Watchers of the Iron Lady.”
