The Eiffel Tower Reopened To Tourists In 2021 After A Long Nine-Month COVID Pandemic Shutdown|

The 'Iron Lady' of Paris was ordered to close in October; Now visitors are allowed to enter after showing proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test.

The Eiffel Tower has reopened to visitors after being closed for nine months due to the COVID pandemic, the longest it has been closed since World War II.

The lifts of the "Eiffel Tower" again took tourists to its 300-meter (1,000-foot) summit and its majestic views of the French capital as a marching band played out.

“Tourism in Paris is coming back and we can again share the joy of this monument and Paris with visitors from around the world,” said Jean-François Martins, head of the tower's operating company.

The number of daily visitors to the Eiffel Tower will be reduced from 25,000 to 13,000 per day.

To visit the Eiffel Tower from Wednesday next week, visitors will either have to show a COVID-19 report negative or show proof of vaccination.

"Obviously it's an additional operational complication, but it's manageable," Martins told the AFP news agency.

The welcome of international tourists follows France's opening of its reopening this summer, although rules also vary widely depending on which country the tourists are coming from. Given the continued border restrictions and virus risks, the number of visitors is nowhere near pre-pandemic levels.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo also welcomed the reopening of Paris and encouraged travelers to "rediscover the iconic historical monument".

Most Travelers Expect The French To Reopen.

Early reservation in advance for tickets during the summer vacation period in France reflects how the tourism industry in Paris has changed due to travel restrictions.

Martins said there was an "almost complete absence" of British ticket holders, while only 15 percent were American passengers and very few were Asia passengers.

Half of the passengers are expected to be French, while Spanish and Italians make up a higher-than-usual proportion.

Paris's prolonged shutdown has worsened the financial situation of the operating company Sete, which runs the monument on behalf of the Paris city authorities.

Paris is set to roll out additional government aid and new 60 million euros ($70m) cash injections, the effect of which will see revenue fall 75 percent to 25 million euros ($29m) in 2020.

Architect Gustave Eiffel's masterpiece has also been hit by the pandemic with its latest paint job, repainted for the 20th time since its construction in 1889.

Trials are ongoing and painting is only set to resume in autumn, meaning part of the façade is hidden by scaffolding and safety nets.

From 21 July, tourists will be required to show a French government "health pass" to demonstrate that they have either been vaccinated or have recently tested negative for COVID-19.