Be aware that their is going to be a large barrier being placed around the base of the Eiffel Tower to be completed by year end 2017."\
"The French government is constructing an 8.2-foot-high, bulletproof glass enclosure around the base of the Eiffel Tower to protect the iconic structure from a terrorist attack. But many French are offended by what they describe as a tasteless design that will be an eyesore"
Best make your trip within the next 3 months,,,,,,
tasteless design...eyesore. That's what they said about the Louvre pyramid entrance. Although they could be right this time.
It may indeed be an eyesore, but a damaged Eiffel Tower would be a worse one.
Is the Eiffel Tower any more iconic than Notre Dame? or the Arc de Triomphe? or the Louvre? or etc., etc.? What's next, glass walls around these structures? Will we have to go through metal detectors to get close to the Eiffel Tower? How many of us have loved just wandering over from the Champ de Mars or the Trocadero and gazing up from under the tower? What kind of terrorist attack is this wall seeking to protect against? If I am a terrorist, my attack will occur at 8.3 ft. And if something happens (any emergency) within this wall, where are all the people supposed to go? What is proven to prevent a terrorist attack is good advance intelligence work. Spend the money to improve that. In the meantime, just let la Tour Eiffel be.
I just spent a week in Paris and had previously been there in 2013. The increase in security surprised me a little. In 2013 I remember being able to freely walk directly underneath the tower but this time there was a barricade surrounding it with security. It honestly didn't hamper my enjoyment even a little bit and I completely understand why it is needed.
I found Notre Dame to have the most noticeable security, and even witnessed a police sting shutting down a group of 4 "survey takers" that had just approached me and my husband.
Last visit to Paris was Sept 2015 - and we did just wander right under the ET, and enjoyed looking at the intricate ironwork.. We are going to be back in April, but I guess I won't just be wandering under - it's a bit sad, but it's a sad world these days. I guess I can get some pics before the glass wall goes up, but...if there are already fences around, most likely won't wander thru :(
