Eiffel Tower Shuts Doors as France Grapples with Nationwide Strikes
PARIS – The Eiffel tower closed to the public Thursday, October 2, 2025, as France experienced a fresh wave of nationwide strikes and protests against the caretaker government’s austerity measures. Demonstrations unfolded across the country, impacting transportation, energy, and tourism sectors, with protestors voicing opposition to cost-cutting policies.
The industrial action, organized by unions, follows previous large-scale demonstrations in September, signaling ongoing discontent with the government’s economic direction. While participation appeared lower than the September 18th mobilization-which saw over 500,000 demonstrators according to police and interior ministry figures, and over one million according to unions-the strikes nonetheless disrupted daily life for many French citizens. Teachers and healthcare workers were among those joining the protests.
Recent weeks have seen escalating tensions,including a “Block Everything” campaign the week prior,resulting in street clashes and the deployment of tear gas. A demonstrator in Paris was photographed wearing a shirt emblazoned with the image of Che Guevara during Thursday’s protests, reflecting the diverse motivations fueling the opposition. The strikes underscore a deepening challenge for the government as it attempts to navigate economic pressures and address public concerns over living standards. Further demonstrations are anticipated as unions continue to press for concessions.
