Din an interview given on Saturday August 31 to the daily newspaper West France, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced, as if the decision was hers alone, that the Olympic rings would remain on the Eiffel Tower once the Paralympic Games were over… Why deprive yourself, after all, of such a good memory? Rachida Dati and the descendants of Gustave Eiffel are up in arms against this proposal.
The socialist mayor is, like many political figures, a little angry with the regulations on historic monuments. And, even if it means changing the appearance of our pretty iron lady, there would be many other works, much more exciting than these purely advertising rings, to undertake… Interview with Julien Lacaze, president of the powerful heritage protection association Sites et Monuments.
The Point: Does Anne Hidalgo have the power to decide to keep the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower?
Julien Lacaze: No! Since the founding of the historical monuments department under King Louis-Philippe, a community that owns a historical monument cannot obviously dispose of it as it pleases. Its right of ownership is limited by a public utility easement. The modification of the exterior appearance of the Eiffel Tower, registered in 1964 as a historical monument, must be the subject of prior agreement from the services of the Ministry of Culture. This authorization is mandatory, but it can be tacit by no […] Read more
