Travelling to France and exploring its iconic landmarks is a dream for many. However, what if you arrived at the Eiffel Tower or Mont Saint Michel only to find the doors closed due to a worker strike? This has been the unfortunate reality for many tourists in recent weeks, leaving both visitors and workers feeling disheartened.

Let’s start with Mont Saint Michel, a historic island topped by an impressive abbey. Employees there argue that the investment in this magnificent monument is insufficient, prompting them to go on an open-ended strike starting from December 26. Their demands include more staff, extra pay for language skills, improved facilities, and compensation for the physically demanding nature of their work. While only 15 out of 55 workers have walked out, it has been enough to disrupt visiting hours and leave tourists like Lise and Thomas from Normandy feeling disappointed.

At the Eiffel Tower, around 360 employees are facing a similar situation. They staged a one-day walkout on December 27 to protest what they see as “unrealistic management.” Workers believe that the management’s goals are unattainable and that the tower is in need of significant maintenance. The looming Olympic Games in July and August have also raised concerns about the tower being closed during that period if the situation continues.

Despite the inconvenience caused by the strikes, they have drawn attention to the underinvestment in these iconic tourist spots and shed light on the workers’ hopes for better conditions and support. It is a reminder that even the most famous attractions have behind-the-scenes challenges. Let’s hope for a resolution so that these treasured French landmarks can continue to be enjoyed by visitors from all over the world.