Why the Eiffel Tower closes
| Cause | What closes | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Staff strike | The whole monument | The SETE has closed the tower for a full day before |
| Snow, ice, strong wind | The summit first, sometimes everything | February 2018: full closure under snow |
| Heatwave | The summit | Closed on 1 and 2 July 2025 |
| Maintenance works | The summit | Every start of the year; in 2025, from 6 January to 7 February |
| Security alert | Temporary evacuation | A few hours, depending on the incident |
How to check before you go
- Official website: toureiffel.paris, which announces the day's closures. Check on the morning itself, not only the day before.
- Strikes: if industrial action is announced, see our page on the 5 November 2026 strike in Paris.
- Weather: at the summit the wind is much stronger than on the ground, and a closure can be decided within minutes.
- Your ticket: if the part you booked closes, refund conditions are the seller's. In July 2025, visitors who had booked the closed summit were refunded. To choose where to buy, see official or reseller.
What to do if it is closed
- Trocadéro: the most famous view, free. See the Eiffel Tower page and our best free views of Paris.
- Seine cruise: boats pass at the foot of the tower even when it is closed. See the 1-hour cruise comparison.
- Other heights: the Arc de Triomphe terrace and the Montparnasse tower give a view of the tower.
- Champ de Mars: picnic at the foot of the tower, no ticket needed.
