Anger and disappointment as heatwave forces Eiffel Tower closure

Tourists expressed disappointment and incomprehension as the Eiffel Tower cut its hours on Tuesday (June 23), closing early as a heatwave scorched through Paris.

Normally open from 9 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. during peak season, which starts in mid-June, the French monument closed to visitors at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, with last entries at 12:15 p.m.

“I am hot, yes, But I don't think that I would be hotter if I go up,” tourist Tiffany Tang said. “Why don't they close the street then? Close the street if it is hot, right?”

Temperatures were expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) in the city on Tuesday, according to weather service Meteo France, and the heatwave is set to last until Friday (June 26).

Australian visitor Amanda Arbuckle said she is “disappointed” that she will have to miss out on climbing the tower, which draws in 7 million vistors yearly, during her stay in Paris.

“You just have to accept it. They've had their reasons for closing it. I'm unsure why they wouldn't open it later in the day and run it at night time, change their hours on days like this,” she said.

Brazilian student Iuri Rezende said in his home country, monuments don’t close despite hot weather.

“Maybe most people are used to colder, wet weather and maybe some get sick of the heat and stuff,” he said. “I understand.”

Camera: Nicolas Coupe, Production: Ardee Napolitano, Elissa Darwish, Writing: Ardee Napolitano/Reuters