PARIS, France—The Eiffel Tower, one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, is at the center of a heated debate following Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s proposal to keep the Olympic rings on display indefinitely.
The multicoloured symbol that adorned the tower during the Paris 2024 Games was initially set to be removed after the event, as has been customary for past host cities.
However, Hidalgo announced plans to extend their stay, a move that has sparked backlash from heritage groups, political opponents, and even the descendants of the tower’s designer, Gustave Eiffel.
Eiffel Family Pushes Back
Myriam Larnaudie-Eiffel, the great-great-granddaughter of the famed engineer, voiced the family’s opposition, stating that the rings, while appropriate during the Games, do not belong permanently on the historic structure.
“The family will only allow the rings to remain until the end of this Olympic year,” Larnaudie-Eiffel told NBC News.
She emphasised that the rings were never part of the original design and argued that keeping them would tarnish the monument’s architectural purity.
The Eiffel family, through the Association of the Descendants of Gustave Eiffel, issued a strong statement on Sunday, September 8, 2024, condemning the proposal.
They argued that the rings disrupt the simplicity of the tower’s structure, creating a “strong imbalance” and obscuring the open space between the iron latticework that allows for panoramic views of Paris.
A Political and Cultural Flashpoint
Hidalgo’s proposal has reignited long-standing tensions surrounding the use of the Eiffel Tower as a symbol of national identity.
Critics accuse the mayor of capitalising on the Games’ success as part of a political manoeuvre ahead of her potential re-election bid.
Heritage activists and political rivals say the decision could diminish the tower’s status as an emblem of French history and culture.
Hidalgo defended her stance, insisting that the rings reflect the collective pride Parisians felt during the summer’s Olympic festivities.
“The French have fallen in love with Paris again,” she told Ouest-France. “I want this festive spirit to remain.”
She added that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) supported her decision and was working on a feasibility study to assess the logistics of keeping the rings in place.
A Legacy of Controversy
The Eiffel Tower, completed in 1889 for the Universal Exposition, has often been a site of public debate and has undergone several modifications throughout its history.
Originally intended to be a temporary structure, it was fiercely criticized by many at the time of its construction and only preserved after Eiffel argued for its use in scientific research.
Notably, in the 1920s, the tower was transformed into a giant billboard for the French car manufacturer Citroën.
Despite these changes, the Eiffel family maintains that the current proposal to keep the Olympic rings undermines the tower’s integrity.
The family has engaged the law firm Dauzier & Chappuis to explore legal avenues to prevent the rings from remaining past 2024.
A Broader Symbolic Debate
For many Parisians, the debate transcends aesthetics, raising questions about how the city’s most cherished monument should evolve to reflect modern times while honouring its history.
The IOC, in a statement, expressed support for Hidalgo’s vision, noting it “warmly welcomes” the idea of making the Olympic legacy more accessible.
However, as discussions continue with national authorities, it remains unclear whether the plan will ultimately proceed.
Hidalgo’s office has not provided further details but confirmed that talks with the IOC and the French government are ongoing.
For now, the future of the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower remains uncertain — a situation that promises to keep Paris’ political and cultural scene buzzing well after the Games.
