PARIS: Eiffel Tower safety failures have exposed visitors and workers to falling objects and other hazards, according to a Le Monde investigation into the company operating France’s most famous monument.
One incident occurred at 2:20 a.m. on January 9, when Storm Goretti tore metal cladding from a guardrail. Debris landed in the Champ-de-Mars basin below, Le Monde reported.
No one was injured because the gardens were empty. Staff members have also dealt with objects falling during the tower’s continuous maintenance work. This included nuts and bolts and an earlier incident involving a large television screen.
Le Monde’s investigation also identified defective surveillance systems, unauthorised intrusions and problems involving worker exposure to lead.
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It reported broader weaknesses in oversight and financial management at the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, or SETE.
The newspaper reported that SETE lost €305 million between 2020 and 2024 amid renovation costs and other financial pressures. It also cited court action over employee protection and workplace representation.
SETE operates and maintains the Eiffel Tower under a public-service agreement. The City of Paris owns 99% of the company, while Métropole du Grand Paris owns the remaining 1%. SETE says the landmark welcomes more than 6.5 million visitors annually.
