It seems things weren’t good in Paris today as workers at the Eiffel Tower in Paris was closed down for a period of six hours.
Or as the French would say – Fermé! (closed).
The Eiffel Tower, shot in 2014 after dodging a bunch of gangs. Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
The staff walked out due to a surge in pickpocket gangs that operate in the area, with staff being threatened with assault or abuse.
Sadly, these gangs have been around for a long time – your author remembers them in 2001, and more recently (and more aggressively with the scams and such) in 2014.
It seems things have become a lot more aggressive recently according the TheLocal
The company operating apologised, saying it “regrets that visitors… are being punished”.
The workers requesting a permanent police presence in the area according to the AP Newswire.
Such closures aren’t uncommon. In 2013 the Louvre art gallery was closed for a brief period after staff complained of being spat at, abused and even assaulted by pickpocketing gangs.
Whilst the Eiffel Tower is architecturally stunning each time I visit it, the pickpocket/scammer problem is leaving a nasty taint to the area, requiring a tourist to be more aware of their surrounding than some might be when they’re relaxing.
Better still, keep everything out of sight and try to blend in. It’s difficult… but not impossible to do.
Hopefully there will be less incidents of the Eiffel Tower being Fermé, but a lot will depend what action is taken next.
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