On July 4, 2026, a man climbed the Eiffel Tower in Paris and hung a US flag between the second and third floors to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence [1, 2, 3, 4]. Police quickly evacuated the forecourt and the second and third floors of the tower to secure the area during the incident [1, 2, 3, 4]. The man was arrested shortly after hanging the flag, with authorities removing the flag from the tower soon after [1, 2, 3, 4].
The individual did not provide a motive for the climb or the display of the flag [1, 2, 3, 4]. The Eiffel Tower, completed in 1889 for the Paris World's Fair, stands 324 meters tall and attracts about 7 million visitors annually [1, 2, 3, 4]. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks worldwide.
The incident took place amid heightened security, quickly disrupting the usual flow of visitors in one of Paris’s most popular tourist destinations. Police took immediate action to ensure safety and restore normal access.
Authorities continue to hold the man in custody while investigations into the event proceed [1, 2, 3, 4].
