If Gustave Eiffel visited the Tower he would have a heart attack, says director of the iconic attraction
The Eiffel Tower is riddled with rust and in need of a complete overhaul, but will instead be given a €60m paint job ahead of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, according to insider reports cited by French magazine Marianne.
Built by Gustave Eiffel in the late 19th century, the 324m tall wrought iron Tower is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, welcoming around six million visitors each year.
However, confidential expert reports cited by the magazine suggest that the monument is in poor condition and has rust.
“It’s simple, if Gustave Eiffel visited the place he would have a heart attack,” the tower’s manager, who wished to remain anonymous, told Marianne.
The company that oversees the tower, Societe d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), had no comment.
The Tower is currently undergoing a €60 million repainting in preparation for the 2024 Olympics, and this year will be the 20th time the Tower has undergone this process.
About 30% of the Tower was supposed to be stripped and then two new coats applied, but work delays caused by the COVID pandemic and the presence of lead in the old paint mean only 5% will be treated.
SETE, however, is not willing to close the Tower to the public for a long period of time, due to the lost tourism revenue.
RES-EMP
View the news feed and get the latest news.
