After a six-day strike, the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris is gearing up to welcome visitors once again

 After a six-day strike, the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris is gearing up to welcome visitors once again

The Eiffel Tower in Paris was shut down for six days due to strikes, but there's optimism that it will welcome visitors once more this coming Sunday."

Amid a disagreement over tower management, workers made their exit on Monday, initiating the latest chapter in the ongoing saga.

The operator, Société exploitations de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), announced a breakthrough with the unions on Saturday, signaling a potential resolution.

This incident marks the second such strike at the renowned historical landmark within the past three months, casting a shadow as Paris readies itself for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games.

SETE extended apologies to ticket holders, pledging compensation for the inconvenience caused by disrupted bookings, which saw nearly 100,000 entries lost in the shuffle.

The formidable union Confédération Générale du Travail (CGT) asserted that workers took to striking in opposition to SETE's operational strategy

Alleging inflated projections of future visitors and cutbacks in maintenance and beautification efforts.

Stéphane Dieu, representing the union, accused SETE of prioritizing short-term gains over long-term sustainability.

Concerns about the landmark's condition also surfaced among the strikers, with reports from Le Monde indicating a lapse in maintenance practices, including a 14-year gap since the last repaint, and other upkeep tasks falling behind schedule.

Originally slated for a five-day duration, this week's strike took an unexpected turn when CGT announced on Friday that workers, dissatisfied with SETE's initial proposal, voted to extend the strike until Sunday, prolonging the standoff.

In a significant development, SETE announced on Thursday that it had reached an agreement with the unions to ensure better oversight of the company's operations.

This includes regular meetings to monitor the business model, investment plans, and revenue.

Looking ahead, both parties have committed to a substantial €380m (£325m) investment for maintenance and upkeep until 2031, with the goal of maintaining financial stability until 2025.

In another notable move, French Culture Minister Rachida Dati proposed classifying the Eiffel Tower as a "historical monument."

This designation would enable the government to step in with financial support for necessary maintenance and restoration projects.

The closure of the Eiffel Tower on December 27, amidst worker protests against management, marked a significant event.

This protest coincided with the centenary of the death of Gustave Eiffel, the tower's creator, who was renowned for his contributions to civil engineering, including iconic structures like bridges and viaducts.

Eiffel's masterpiece, designed to showcase France's industrial prowess, debuted as the centerpiece of the 1889 Paris Exhibition.

Constructed in just over two years, it quickly rose to fame as the tallest building in the world and remains an enduring symbol of Paris to this day.