Heatwave forces early closures of Paris landmarks

The severe heatwave sweeping across France has forced the early closure of two of Paris's top tourist attractions, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, their respective operators said on Tuesday.

A deadly heatwave has gripped France since last week, disrupting daily life and forcing school closures and train cancellations, with some of the world's most visited tourist sites becoming the latest to take precautionary measures, reports French news agency AFP.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris was designed by Gustave Eiffel and constructed in 1887–89. Photo: Britannica

The operator of the Eiffel Tower, a monument made of latticed steel girders, said the site would "exceptionally close" early on Tuesday at 4 pm (1400 GMT).

During the peak season, which starts in mid-June, the tower is open from 9 am to 12:45 am. "Due to the high temperatures forecast, the Eiffel Tower will be adjusting its operations," the operator said.

The early closure notice in front of Eiffel Tower. Photo: Britannica

It is 'very likely' that the monument will close early again on Wednesday, the operator added, noting that visitors would be refunded for their tickets.

Around seven million tourists visit the 324-metre (1,063-foot) tower each year.

Unveiled in 1889 for the World Fair in Paris by engineer Gustave Eiffel, the 'Iron Lady' has since become the symbol of the French capital.

East-facing view of the Louvre Museum, Paris, with the pyramid designed by IM Pei in 1989. Photo: Britannica

Shortly after the Eiffel Tower announcement, the Louvre said the world's most visited museum would close two hours early at 4 pm from Wednesday to Saturday because of the heatwave.

Soaring temperatures in Paris have made "visiting and working conditions difficult during the hottest hours of the day", the museum said, noting that "it is at the end of the day that heat builds up most, exacerbated by high visitor numbers".

Home to iconic works of art including Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa', the Louvre receives around nine million visitors each year.

It is housed in a vast palace in central Paris on the banks of the River Seine, built over centuries by successive French monarchs and presidents.

An aerial view of the Louvre Museum. Photo: Forever Paris

The museum said on Tuesday that the historic building is 'vulnerable and is not sufficiently adapted to climate change'.

Its director, Christophe Leribault, warned last week that the museum was "running out of steam" as it struggles to secure funding to upgrade its ageing facilities.

The museum has faced a series of problems, including a brazen $100 million jewellery theft, a water leak and other maintenance issues.

Other tourist sites have also announced early closures or issued warnings, as more than half of mainland France remains under the weather service's highest alert level.

Mont Saint-Michel, the most visited tourist attraction outside the Paris region, warned visitors on Tuesday to "put off your visit during the red alert".