Strike at the Eiffel Tower closes most popular monument to visitors

Visits to the hugely popular landmark in central Paris have soared in the lead-up to the Summer Olympics in the French capital.

Visitors to the Eiffel Tower were turned away on Monday because of a strike over poor financial management at one of the world's most-visited sites.

A sign was posted at the entrance in English, saying: "Due to a strike, the Eiffel Tower is closed. We apologize."

The hugely popular 330-meter (1083-foot) landmark in central Paris has seen soaring visitor numbers in the lead-up to the Summer Olympics in the French capital.

Tourists planning to visit the Eiffel Tower on Monday were warned of disruptions in multiple languages on its website. Visitors were advised to check the website before heading to the monument or to postpone their trip. Electronic ticket owners were told to check their inboxes beforehand.

The landmark's operator also said on its website that visits to the Eiffel Tower will be disrupted on Tuesday.