'Tears of joy': Eiffel Tower opens after 104-day virus lockdown

Tourists and Parisians ready for a workout gathered at the Eiffel Tower on Thursday as the iron monument reopened after its longest closure since World War II, a highly symbolic move as France emerges from its coronavirus lockdown. Journalists from around the world outnumbered about 50 people, mainly French, who began the steep climb by stairs to the first two levels, as elevators and the top observation deck will remain closed because of social distancing concerns. 'I'm tearing up, but they're tears of joy. It's an emotional moment after these difficult months,' said Therese, visiting from the southern French city of Perpignan.