Health workers saving lives during the coronavirus outbreak have received a huge show of gratitude with the help of the Eiffel Tower.

The Paris landmark also had a message for the broader French public: Stay home.

Lights spelled out “Merci” French for “Thank you”, and “Stay at home” in English on Friday night along with the tower’s famous sparkling illuminations.

The display of solidarity that started at 8pm local time coincided with the moment when citizens in lockdown across France have been cheering and applauding from their windows and balconies in support of doctors and nurses.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said the light show will take place every evening on the tower.

French hospitals recorded nearly 2,000 virus-related deaths as of Friday, a figure that does not include Covid-19 cases elsewhere. Health workers are straining to treat an ever-increasing number of patients, including nearly 3,800 in intensive care.

In neighbouring Switzerland, authorities also are lighting up one of the nation’s landmarks, the Matterhorn.

Nightly from sundown until 11pm, light artist Gerry Hofstetter is splashing the Alpine peak with words and images of encouragement and inspiration.

Images on the snow-capped summit have shown a heart, the Swiss flag, “Hope” and “#stayhome”.