Extinction Rebellion protesters scale Eiffel Tower to unfurl 'rebel' banner

Police reportedly arrest protesters

Extinction Rebellion activists have scaled the Eiffel Tower to hang a banner reading “rebel”, kicking off a week of events aimed at shining a spotlight on global inaction on the climate crisis.

A group of climate protesters could be seen standing on top of the Paris monument’s first stage on Sunday.

They dropped a pink and black banner saying “Rebel” from the Eiffel Tower, as activists watched on from below. 

Extinction Rebellion, also known as XR, said the demonstration marked the start of the “International October Rebellion”. 

Around 20 protesters are believed to have taken part in hanging the banner from the famous monument over the weekend, including eight who have been described as “climbers”, according to French media. 

Climate activists hang signs reading “Rebel” off the Eiffel Tower (AFP via Getty Images)

“The climbers have made it to the first stage of the Eiffel Tower,” one activist told radio station RFI at the scene. 

More protests are planned in France this week, according to the climate group. 

In Paris, activists are set to walk slowly around several “symbolic places in the capital”. XR said this protest aims to position people in the present,  so they can "understand the crises we are experiencing and imagine other futures.”

Arrests were made following Sunday’s protest up the Eiffel Tower, according to AFP. 

Images showed police ushering activists in face masks following the demonstration in the French capital. 

Last month, XR protesters glued themselves to a road outside the UK parliament to protest for more to be done to tackle the climate crisis.