Pedestrians take a picture next to the Eiffel Tower, and a board (Top R) informing visitors that the monument is closed as staff go on strike, and a displayed banner (C) reading "employees of the Eiffel Tower on strike" in Paris on February 19.

Unions of the operating company of the Eiffel Tower, the CGT and Force Ouvriere say the city, which owns 99 percent of the tower, has underestimated costs and overestimated revenues, whilst also hinting to the threat of a strike during the Olympic Games, held in Paris from July 26 to August 11.

Tourists walk next to the Eiffel Tower at sunrise as the monument is shut due to a staff strike over the financial management of the monument by the city, closing the monument to the public during the second week of the French school holidays, in Paris on February 19.

Over the years, the Eiffel Tower, which is 300 metres (984 foot) tall, has seen many visitors travel from around the world who come to see the modern marvel. Interestingly, the strike comes ahead of the Summer Olympics set to be held in Paris in July and August. 

While the Eiffel Tower is open 365 days of the year for people to see, this is the second time it has been affected by the strike in the last few months. It was also shut for one day in December due to a strike over contract negotiations. This latest one sees the closing of the monument to the public during the second week of the French school holidays.