France Gripped by Nationwide Strikes as Eiffel Tower Closes Amid Austerity Protests

PARIS – France experienced widespread disruption on Thursday, October 2, 2025, as nationwide strikes led to the closure of iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and brought thousands of protesters to the streets in over 200 locations. Unions mobilized workers, retirees, and students to denounce proposed spending cuts and demand higher taxes on the wealthy.

In Paris, thousands marched from Place d’Italie, while the Eiffel Tower announced its closure due to the industrial action. This latest wave of protests, called by France’s major unions, marks a continuation of social unrest that began last month amid political turmoil and heated budget discussions.

Unions are pressuring Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, recently appointed, to abandon austerity measures proposed by his predecessor. These measures, including social welfare freezes, are widely feared to erode the purchasing power of low- and middle-income workers. The unions are also advocating for increased taxation on the nation’s wealthiest citizens.

Sophie Binet, head of the CGT union, highlighted the intensity of the current movement, stating, “It’s true, it’s the first time that there are three days of strikes and protests in a month without a government or budget. It shows the level of social anger.” She emphasized the timing, noting, “We feel that it’s now that the decisions are being made, and we want to be heard.”

While the Interior Ministry reported 85,000 protesters outside Paris by midday, preliminary figures suggested a potentially lower turnout compared to previous demonstrations last month, which saw hundreds of thousands participate. Transport services saw mixed impacts; national high-speed trains largely ran normally, though some regional lines and Paris commuting trains experienced disruptions. Teachers and healthcare workers also joined the strike action.

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