Ticket offices at the Paris landmark were shut and staff were seen handing out leaflets in English, French and Spanish that said they were seeking improvements to visitor services and job security for staff.

Designed by Gustave Eiffel, the 120-year-old tower last year broke a new record with some 6.93 million visitors.

The Eiffel Tower's SETE managing company, whose biggest shareholder is the city of Paris, declined to comment on the strike. -- AFP