tourism
Eiffel Tower increases prices by 20 percent
Shortly before the start of the Olympic Games in Paris, admission prices for the Eiffel Tower will be increased by around 20 percent (archive image). photo
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The millions of visitors to the Olympic Games in Paris will have to dig deeper into their pockets to visit the Eiffel Tower. Admission prices will soon rise by around 20 percent.
Shortly before the start of the Olympic Games in Paris, the entry prices for the Eiffel Tower increased by around 20 percent. The increase already announced by the company operating the Paris landmark will take effect from June 17, reported the newspaper “Le Parisien”.
For an adult, the elevator ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower will cost 35.30 euros instead of the previous 29.40 euros. If you want to climb the steps to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, you will soon have to pay 14.20 euros instead of 10 euros. The price increase is justified by the operating company’s high losses during the Corona crisis as well as increased costs for the maintenance of the now 135-year-old building.
In 2023, the Eiffel Tower attracted 6.3 million visitors, eight percent more than in the previous year, which was still affected by the Corona crisis. Germans make up the largest group of Eiffel Tower visitors from other European countries.
Due to a lack of tourists, the Eiffel Tower recorded losses of over 100 million euros during the pandemic, which the city of Paris only partially covered. The operators also had to bear additional costs for the tower’s 21st coat of paint, as toxic lead was discovered when removing old layers of paint. Painting the landmark, which Parisians affectionately call the “dame de fer” (“lady of iron”), is a major undertaking anyway. Around 60 tons of paint have to be applied to the tower.
While the increased entry prices for the Eiffel Tower will continue to apply after the Olympic Games (July 26 to August 11) this summer, other price increases in Paris are only temporary. As expected, there are significant price increases in hotels and private accommodation. In addition, Paris public transport will increase the prices of metro and bus tickets during the games. The measure, which has been widely criticized, is intended to help absorb additional costs for an expanded offering. Under pressure from employees, the transport companies also pay a bonus for work during the games, which has to be financed.