The purpose of the wall is to deter attacks, city officials said Thursday. A statement from Paris City Hall claimed the wall would replace metal fences that were set up around the tower for the European football tournament in 2016, BBC News reported.
(FOX)- It’s expected to cost about $21 million. Martins said the wall is designed to stop individuals or vehicles storming the site.
“The terror threat remains high in Paris and the most vulnerable sites, led by the Eiffel Tower, must be the object of special security measures,” Jean-Francois Martins, the assistant mayor for tourism, said. “We have three aims – to improve the look, make access easier and strengthen the protection of visitors and staff.”
“We will replace the metal grids to the north and south with glass panels which will allow Parisians and visitors a very pleasant view of the monument,” he added.
Paris has been on high alert after a string of terrorist attacks on the city and other parts of France over the last two years.