The Eiffel Tower has been evacuated

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Visitors were ordered away from France's most famous building as heavily armed cops descended on one of the world's most popular tourism sites.

There are French reports that the tower will not re-open until tomorrow morning.

Police have cordoned off the area and eyewitnesse have said that armed police are "all over the place".

Some people at the scene have reported that a "suspicious" package was the reason for the evacuation.

Tourists were evacuated shortly after 8pm and the process was reported to be "calm".

Security threats by suspect packages are now part of everyday life in France, especially on public transport but they are more rare at famous buildings, such as the Eiffel Tower.