The Eiffel Tower rises 330 meters in Paris and has become an integral part of the list of world-famous monuments. Recently there have been repeated discussions about the basic nature of the popular excursion destination.
The structure consists mainly of a huge steel mesh and that is probably becoming more and more of a problem over the years. Although the Eiffel Tower is meticulously repainted with anti-rust lead paint and maintained every seven years, this form of refurbishment may not last much longer. The 133-year-old tower is still rusting in some places and is even said to have cracks.
As early as 2010, experts of the operating company are said to have recommended a thorough renovation, reports the French magazine “Marianne”. Another expertise points to nearly 900 defects in the tower, a large proportion of which could be dangerous to the structure of the tower.
In 2017, the operating company announced that the Eiffel Tower was to be completely renovated for 300 million euros so that it could shine in new splendor by the time of the Olympic Games in 2024. But the renovation work has not happened so far – and it probably won’t happen anytime soon. Closing the tourist magnet would be unthinkable at the moment because the corona pandemic is causing a significant lack of income.
The head of the operating company Patrick Branco Ruivo claims that the Eiffel Tower is in good condition. In order to prove this, layers of paint were probably removed to check the material underneath. This should be in good condition. Nevertheless, Ruivo assured to eliminate all shortcomings.
The Eiffel Tower was built by engineer Gustav Eiffel for the 1889 World’s Fair. Even then, the builder only predicted a shelf life of 20 years for the tower. The building has now stood in the French capital for over a century – and is one of the most famous landmarks in the world.
Up to seven million people visit the building every year. For an extensive and complex renovation, the tower would have to be completely closed for several months.
Sources: Berliner Morgenpost / Handelsblatt
