The Minister of Culture and former opposition member of the Paris Council reacted to Anne Hidalgo’s decision to keep the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower in the long term, recalling that “all procedures and consultations aimed at the protection” of the monument must be “respected”.
A very moderate response when you know the history of the relationship between Anne Hidalgo and Rachida Dati. After the announcement of the long-term maintenance of the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower, the Minister of Culture and former opposition elected member of the Paris Council reacted publicly this Sunday, September 1, by recalling that “all procedures and consultations aimed at the protection” of the monument must be “respected”.
“The Eiffel Tower is a protected monument, the work of an immense engineer and creator. Respect for its architectural gesture and its work requires, before making any substantial modification, a work permit and an impact assessment, in accordance with the heritage code,” stressed Rachida Dati in a message published on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
“The hanging of the Olympic rings had exceptionally been exempted by Olympic law, but on a temporary basis,” she added, without specifying whether or not she was in favour of the announcement made by Anne Hidalgo.
Hidalgo defends her decision
The mayor of Paris said in an interview published Saturday that “yes”, the Olympic rings installed for the Paris Olympics “will remain on the Eiffel Tower”. “As mayor of Paris, the decision is up to me and I have the agreement of the IOC”, she defended.
She notably defended this choice by the “idea of combining the Eiffel Tower, a monument designed to be ephemeral for a universal exhibition, with the Games, an ephemeral moment which will also have marked Paris and our country”.
The rings currently hanging will however be replaced by a replica of the same size but lighter to be able to last over time, particularly in the face of the vagaries of winter weather.
The decision was not unanimous, however. Opposition councilor Aurélien Véron (LR) and Macronist MP for Paris Benjamin Haddad expressed their opposition to the decision. An online petition currently collecting 227 signatures has been launched.
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