SETE claims the tower's maintenance budget is based on an estimate that the monument will draw 7.4 million visitors this year, a figure the union says has never been achieved.

France’s iconic Eiffel Tower is increasing its ticket prices by 20% to help cover the costs of renovation work and financial losses after the coronavirus pandemic.

SETE claims the tower's maintenance budget is based on an estimate that the monument will draw 7.4 million visitors this year, a figure the union says has never been achieved.

The Eiffel Tower was opened to the public today, May 6 in 1889, ... IMAGE: Flowers are seen near the Eiffel Tower on a sunny winter day in Paris. Photograph: Abdul Saboor/Reuters .

Unidentified relatives of the French engineer Gustave Eiffel place flowers at his statue in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - 15 Dec. 1932. AP It was supposed to be demolished ...