People queue up prior to visit the Eiffel Tower, in Paris, Thursday, June 25, 2020. The Eiffel Tower reopens after the coronavirus pandemic led to the iconic Paris landmark's longest closure since World War II. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
By Masha Macpherson
Marking another milestone in France's recovery from coronavirus lockdown, the Eiffel Tower reopened to visitors Thursday after its longest-ever closure in peace time: 104 days.
Tourists who are trickling back to Paris were delighted to find the landmark open when some other attractions in the French capital remain closed. The Louvre Museum isn't reopening until July 6.
"It's very special, very special because it's only the Paris people," said Annelies Bouwhuis, a 43-year-old visitor from the Netherlands. "We've seen a lot Paris people enjoying their city, enjoying their parks without all the tourists."
A visitor looks at the view from the Eiffel Tower, in Paris, Thursday, June 25, 2020. The Eiffel Tower reopens after the coronavirus pandemic led to the iconic Paris landmark's longest closure since World War II. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Lifts that usually whisk visitors up the 324-meter (1,063-foot) tall wrought-iron Eiffel Tower remain closed, so for now people have to take the stairs.
Of the tower's three decks, only the first two reopened. Those who climbed the 674 steps Thursday were rewarded with far-away views and a light breeze in scorching summer weather. Masks are obligatory for all visitors ages 11 and up.
"I booked the first slot because afterward, it will be very hot," said Sabine Peaufils, a 57-year-old Parisian. "This is a real pleasure."
People climb stairs as they visit the Eiffel Tower, in Paris, Thursday, June 25, 2020. The Eiffel Tower reopens after the coronavirus pandemic led to the iconic Paris landmark's longest closure since World War II. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
The tower lost 27 million euros ($30 million) from the lockdown that started in March, according to its director general, Patrick Branco Ruivo.
France and other European countries with big tourism sectors are starting to coax back visitors, with mixed results.
The Louvre is bracing for a precipitous drop in visitor numbers when it reopens.
Visitor numbers are down at the Versailles Palace since the former royal residence west of Paris reopened June 6.
The palace has capped visits at a maximum of 4,500 people per day, spread out through the day. That is way down from the 20,000 people per day the palace previously got in the busy summer season.
Biden and the GOP can't build consensus on infrastructure, COVID-19 vaccine testing coming to babies, and much more. Here is all the news you Need2Know for Wednesday, June 9, 2021.
Multiple websites went offline briefly across the globe Tuesday after an outage at the cloud service company Fastly, revealing how critical a handful of companies running the internet's plumbing have become.
Not everyone is ready to celebrate the newly-approved Alzheimer's drug, big news from Apple, and much more. Here is all the news you Need2Know for Tuesday, June 8, 2021.
Deadly gun violence is raging back in the U.S., Logan Paul goes eight rounds with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bundle of joy has arrived! Here's everything you Need2Know for Monday, June 7, 2021.
From Wall Street to Silicon Valley, these are the top stories that moved markets and had investors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs talking this week on Cheddar.
A new U.S. government report fails to give a definitive explanation of UFOs spotted by military pilots. It finds no evidence they are linked to aliens — but doesn't deny the possibility either.
A wandering herd of 15 elephants have been journeying in southwestern China's Kunming, Yunnan Province as local authorities try to keep them away from populated areas.
Drought is causing a state of emergency in California, your morning brew may be off the menu at Starbucks, and some people better steer clear of dining on cicadas. Here is all the news you Need2Know for Friday, June 4, 2021.
Cheddar's Michelle Castillo reports on the run-up to the return to live shows from Broadway At the Drive In, a performance space in Queens, N.Y., where performers and crew members are getting ready.
