France's most recognizable monument, the Eiffel Tower, has been shut down because of a strike, Belfast Relegraph said.

The company that manages the tower says the CGT union, which represents most of the Eiffel Tower's 300 workers, called the walkout June 25 morning.

Company director Nicolas Lefebvre said management and the union are in negotiations this week over salary raises, company profit-sharing policy and other issues.

The 124-year-old tower, normally open 365 days a year, sees about 25,000 tourists daily.

It occasionally closes because of suicide threats, bomb threats or strikes.