Tens of thousands of visitors hoping to sample the breathtaking views of Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower were left stranded on the ground on Tuesday (June 25) following a strike by staff at the world's most-visited monument, over delays to maintenance and working conditions.

Visitors who had hoped to ride the series of elevators to gaze down on the rooftops of Paris from 324 metres above ground were greeted with bland messages saying the legendary monument was closed by industrial action.

"It's just the ultimate sort of stereotype of France really. I think of all the things to be on strike, the Eiffel Tower is sort of the most iconic thing that could be on strike so it just represents France in itself so I find it quite funny. We didn't want to go up anyway so this is good," said one American tourist.

But the workers who forced the closure said they were also defending visitors' interests.

A union representative said the landmark was mismanaged and that maintenance work that should have been completed years ago was still dragging on.

One of the tower's lifts that had been taken out of service in 2008 for a year and a half was still out of work, Union worker, Mathieu said.

Up to seven million people visit the Eiffel Tower every year, according to the monument's website.

Presented by Adam Justice