The perils of social media.
There are dubious claims circulating on social media that the Eiffel Tower will be demolished in 2026. People cite maintenance costs, public complaints, and structural fatigue as reasons. But as users are reminded daily, don’t believe everything you read on the internet.
To be clear: Paris is not striking down the 1,083-foot tower. On Oct. 2, more than 200 French cities and towns participated in a strike to protest spending cuts and demand higher taxes on the rich. Parisians joined in, and the Eiffel Tower announced that it had to close for safety reasons. But the closure was exaggerated, and a satirical news article helped fuel the fire.
Weeks ago, a magazine published a joke that the Iron Lady would be bulldozed and turned into a concert hall or a giant slide. Taken out of context, people began speculating on her fate, and fake news websites spread the rumor that the world would see an end to the historical landmark, EuroNews explained. There are also tributes calling it the end of an era, while others lament its future.
World-famous Eiffel Tower, a symbol of France for over 135 years, is reportedly set for demolition in 2026 after its operating lease expires. Officials cite structural fatigue, costly maintenance, and rising public complaints as key reasons behind this shocking decision. pic.twitter.com/zbr5S732xx
— Qasim (@promax1811) October 10, 2025
If you’re heading to Paris, you can still visit the most famous landmark in the city; the official website sells tickets to the top for up to €36.10 ($42).
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France experiences industrial action frequently. But staff working at the Eiffel Tower have also shown dissatisfaction with visitor operations. Last year, workers walked out over a dispute with management, and the strike lasted six days until an agreement was reached with unions. In 2023, staff participated in strikes on the 100th anniversary of creator Gustave Eiffel, and the tower was closed to the public. In 2018, workers protested a new booking system and long lines, shutting down the tower.
In addition, the monument undergoes annual maintenance every January, when the top floor closes for a month. This summer, it also closed in July due to a heat wave and apologized to travelers for the inconvenience.
It may be surprising to learn that the Eiffel Tower once narrowly escaped demolition. The 19th-century icon that travelers romanticize today was described as “monstrous” and “useless” by writers and thinkers in 1887. Among its harshest critics were Alexandre Dumas and Guy de Maupassant, who hated the idea of an industrial-looking building towering in their city. But the creator of the Eiffel Tower, entrepreneur and engineer Gustave Eiffel, erected the monument—tallest in the world at the time—in just over two years despite all the censure. It opened to the public in 1889.
However, it was originally meant to last just 20 years. Parisians did not want such a modern design to ruin their city’s aesthetic, and Eiffel had a limited permit after which it was supposed to be dismantled. In the end, the 10,100-ton tower was saved after the city realized it could be used for sending radio messages and telecommunication. Now, the tower, which sees 7 million visitors a year, has become a beloved symbol of Paris.
