New Delhi: The news that the world-famous Eiffel Tower in Paris will soon join the pages of history is being widely circulated.
Recent social media statements have raised widespread concerns that the Eiffel Tower in Paris is set to be demolished in 2026. These posts, published on platforms like X, claim that the Eiffel Tower will be demolished in 2026 due to the expiry of the "operating contract" and natural repairs to the structure, expensive maintenance and public complaints.
To add to this, the Eiffel Tower has been closed to visitors since October 2, 2025 due to a nationwide strike. As protesters marched from Place d'Italie to the monument, the Eiffel Tower's management issued a statement confirming that it would close to visitors, the Associated Press reported.
"The Eiffel Tower will be demolished soon," one social media user said.
The claims have caused widespread concern, but there is no truth to them. The Eiffel Tower's management said the demolition has not yet been decided and visitors can rest assured that their dream Paris trip is safe.
How did the news spread?
The claim that the Eiffel Tower will be demolished in 2026 originated from a satirical article published on September 18, 2025, by the website Tapioca Times, known for its satirical content.
The article quoted a fictional “spokesperson” as saying, “We’ve done well. It’s been popular for a long time but no one goes there, so we’re closing it down. The internet has finally caught up with us and it seems like little kids don’t want to go up anymore. We’ve noticed a huge increase in the number of drones circling the tower, so maybe that’s why attendance has dropped.”
The satirical article suggested that the Eiffel Tower was infested with “squirrels and pigeons,” and suggested alternative venues such as a water slide, a Las Vegas-style music venue, or the hippie-filled “Paris Burning Man.”
“Either way, whatever happens, demolition will begin in early 2026, so if you’re old and have old memories, now’s the time to visit Paris,” the article said. The satirical narrative was picked up and spread through viral ex-posts.
No official confirmation of demolition
No credible evidence has supported the news of the Eiffel Tower being demolished. Neither the Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), which operates the Eiffel Tower, nor the city of Paris, nor French heritage authorities have made any statements suggesting plans to demolish the monument.