The Eiffel Tower is riddled with rust as the famous monument is in urgent need of repair, according to reports.
Despite only being meant to last for 20 years when it was built in 1889, one hundred and thirty-three years on the iconic monument is still standing – but just about.
According to leaked reports seen by French magazine Marianne, the symbol of Paris is in ‘very bad shape’.
The iron structure is reportedly said to be riddled with rust, and is in need of full repairs.
Luckily, with the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in mind, the structure is currently undergoing repairs.
However, experts at the French magazine have warned that a “simple coat of paint” won’t do the job.
One source claimed that “it’s very simple, if Gustave Eiffel visited the place, he would faint”.
Another source said: “She is not likely to fall tomorrow morning, but it is true that she is not well at all.”
In fact, to the shock of distraught experts, the cosmetic procedure will cost €60million (£51millionaire).
Critics have gone further to say the paint job will be a waste of time and money.
Because of delays due to the Covid pandemic, instead of around 30 per cent of the monument being treated, only five per cent will.
Despite it originally being suggested it would need painting every seven years, experts say that in some places, "rust has won and is eating away at the iron of the monument like termites at wood".
According to a report by Expiris, which specialises in rust prevention, just 10% of the paintwork was holding firm in 2014.
It was said that the rest was ‘flaking and crumbling’ - exposing the 6,300 tonnes of iron beneath.
The report also said: “Even if the general state of the anti-corrosion protection seems good to the eye, this can be misleading. It cannot be envisaged to plan for a new application of a coat of paint that will do nothing but increase the risk of a total loss of adhesion in the system”.
Bernard Giovannoni, an expert at Expiris said: "I had been working on the tower for several years.
"In 2014, I concluded that it was very urgent to attack the corrosion."
Another shocking report a few years later, in 2016, found 884 defects – of which 68 of them structural.
The Paris council owned company that runs the Eiffel Tower, Sete, have repeatedly ignored advice to repair the landmark.
Instead, they horrifyingly decided to ignore requests and rather simply add a new lick of paint – the 20th since the monument was built.
Specialists say the results of the makeover will be ‘lamentable’ and ‘pathetic’, adding that painting over old paint is making the corrosion worse.
Laurent Valdiguié , the journalist who investigated the disrepair, wrote: "We saw Notre-Dame burn, will we see the Eiffel Tower fall?"
Another expert added: "In some places, a single layer of paint is being daubed on to existing layers which are flaking and not holding. It’s a heresy."
Specialists believe the tower needs to be completely stripped back to the metal, repaired and repainted.
Gustave Eiffel built the 324-metre-tall, 7,300-tonne iron tower for the 1889 world’s fair. It was created to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the French Revolution.
However, the tall structure was supposed to be torn down 20 years later, but was saved by scientific experts who recognised its value as a radiotelegraph station.
