The Eiffel Tower was evacuated on Tuesday morning after the fire alarm was triggered, causing concern among visitors and officials alike. According to the operating and management company SETE, the alarm sounded around 10:50 am local time due to a short circuit on the power rail of the elevator located between the second floor and the tower's summit. Following protocol, all tourists were evacuated, and firefighters quickly responded to the incident.
SETE stated, "No one was put in danger," and noted the elevator maintenance providers would investigate the cause of the short circuit. By early afternoon, the Eiffel Tower had reopened to the public, but only up to the second floor. Visitors were allowed to explore the lower levels, though access to the top remained restricted for the time being.
This incident occurred just weeks after the Notre-Dame Cathedral, another significant Paris landmark, reopened following extensive renovations after the catastrophic fire of 2019. The Eiffel Tower, which has been adorned with new rings to signify the impending 2024 Paris Olympics, serves as not just a symbol of Paris but also as one of its major tourist attractions.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron announced significant plans for another iconic site—the Louvre Museum. During his visit to the museum on Tuesday, Macron unveiled the "New Renaissance" project, aimed at redesigning, restoring, and enlarging the Louvre. This ambitious plan follows concerns voiced by museum director Laurence des Cars about deteriorated conditions within the museum.
Macron, standing before the famous Mona Lisa, revealed the overhaul would include creating a dedicated space for the masterpiece, alongside the construction of a new grand entrance on the museum's eastern façade. Currently, the museum's main entry point accommodates over double its intended annual visitor capacity, having last year received around 10 million guests, far surpassing the original design for only four million.
According to Macron, the renovation project is expected to cost between 700 and 800 million euros ($730 to $830 million), with the first phase focusing on the new entrance and special exhibition rooms aimed at enhancing the visitor experience.
"We are launching an international architecture competition to transform the Louvre by 2031 at the latest," Macron affirmed, emphasizing the necessity of the renovations to both preserve the artworks and accommodate the ever-growing number of visitors. The project aims to increase the Louvre's annual visitor numbers to 12 million.
Despite the positive outlook, Macron faces scrutiny over these plans amid reports of falling approval ratings, with only 21 percent of respondents indicating satisfaction with his administration. Critics claim his announcements are little more than attempts to regain popularity, especially after the challenging restoration of Notre-Dame, which relied heavily on international donations.
Looking toward the Eiffel Tower, it serves as another reminder of the balance between historical significance and public safety. Recent evacuations at such prominent sites highlight the continued challenges faced by Paris as it aims to be ready for the world's gaze during the 2024 Olympics. With the Eiffel Tower and Louvre both receiving attention for their distinct yet integral roles within the fabric of Parisian culture, what lies next for the city as it prepares for the future?