France’s iconic Eiffel Tower is increasing ticket prices by 20%, CNN’s affiliate BFMTV reports, to help cover the costs of renovation work and financial losses during the coronavirus pandemic.
An adult ticket, including a lift ride to the top of the Parisian monument, will cost €35.30 ($38.31) from June 17, rising from €29.40 ($31.91), BFMTV reported. The same ticket for children between 12 and 14 years old costs €17.70 ($19.21) and the price for children between four and 11 years old to reach the top of the tower is €8.90 ($9.66) ).
The price increase came about, BFMTV reported, partly due to a “significant loss of income” caused by the “health crisis between 2020 and 2022.”
Fewer than 1.6 million people visited the Eiffel Tower in 2020, compared to almost 6.2 million visitors the year before, the monument’s operator, Sociéte d’Exploitation de la tour Eiffel (SETE), reported. The following year fewer than 2.1 million people visited.
In both years, operating costs were approximately three times the monument’s total revenue, SETE said.
Renovation work is also behind the cost increase, including “lead prevention measures” related to painting the tower, BFMTV reported. The painting work is expected to last until 2027, while work on the lifts is also planned, which will lead to occasional closures.
CNN has reached out to SETE for comment.
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