Claims that Paris plans to demolish the Eiffel Tower in 2026 have gone viral on social media. Posts on X and Instagram link the alleged demolition to an expiring “operating lease,” high maintenance costs, and a drop in visitors.
The rumour gained traction after the tower’s temporary closure earlier this month, leading many to believe it signalled the beginning of its “final chapter.”
But the truth is far from that. The Eiffel Tower is not being torn down, and the rumour started as a joke.
What is the claim?
Social media users began sharing posts in late September claiming that the Eiffel Tower, one of the most recognised landmarks in the world, would be demolished in 2026.
The posts included supposed “official statements” saying the 135-year-old monument was suffering from structural fatigue and that maintenance costs had become too high. Others falsely claimed the tower’s “lease” with the city would expire, forcing its removal.
Some versions of the claim even suggested bizarre replacements, like a “giant slide,” a “concert arena,” or a “Paris Burning Man” festival. The posts were widely shared, reaching hundreds of thousands of users. Many believed them to be true, especially after the tower’s brief closure due to strikes.
Fact check
The claim is false. It started from a satirical article published on September 18, 2025, by a parody website called Tapioca Times. The article featured fake quotes from a made-up “spokesman” joking that “nobody goes there anymore, so we’re shutting it down.” It also poked fun at pigeons and squirrels “plaguing” the site.
Readers who missed the humour or saw reposts without context began spreading the story as fact.
No French authority has confirmed or supported the claim. The Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), the company that operates the tower, has issued no statements about demolition.
The City of Paris and French heritage officials have also not discussed any such plans. The tower remains one of the most protected monuments in France.
The recent temporary closure of the Eiffel Tower has nothing to do with demolition. It was shut on October 2, 2025, due to nationwide strikes by unions protesting spending cuts and tax reforms. Such closures have happened before, including a six-day shutdown in February 2024 during a similar labour dispute.
Social media reaction
The rumour triggered mixed reactions online. Some users were quick to panic, with one writing, “Hold up, Paris! Don’t demolish my dream proposal spot.” Another said, “Oh no, this can’t happen.” Others called out the claim immediately, describing it as “obvious satire” and warning others not to believe it.
Fact-checkers and news outlets stepped in to clarify the story’s origins. Screenshots of the satirical article and the author’s disclaimer that it was “fictional humour” have since circulated online. Still, the episode shows how quickly parody can turn into misinformation when stripped of context, especially when it concerns a global symbol like the Eiffel Tower.
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