Paris faces papal visit, Eiffel Tower strike, and housing shortages

Paris is facing several distinct logistical and social challenges. The city is preparing for a state visit by Pope Leo XIV from September 25 to 28, which is expected to draw approximately one million people to the capital. Organizers plan to use the Champs-Élysées for mass services, with screens set up behind the Arc de Triomphe to accommodate the crowds.

In the tourism sector, the Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors on September 7 following a strike by employees. The labor action was triggered by the management's decision to accommodate a request from a BAPS Hindu organization delegation to minimize contact between male representatives and female staff. Workers protested that women were being pushed out of visible work areas or replaced by men, which they viewed as a violation of equal treatment principles. The operating company, SETE, admitted that the request should not have been accepted.

Additionally, international tourists are increasingly visiting Parisian pharmacies to purchase skincare and cosmetic products, such as Avène and La Roche-Posay, due to lower prices compared to other countries. Meanwhile, the city continues to struggle with a student housing crisis, as many students face intense competition for limited accommodations in both the private market and through the Crous de Paris regional student services.