The Eiffel Tower in the French capital is riddled with rust and in need of complete repairs, but will instead receive a cosmetic paint job budgeted at 60 million euros before the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, according to French magazine Marianne.

"It's simple, if Gustave Eiffel visited the place he would have a heart attack," said a tower administrator, quoted by Marianne.

The 324-meter high cast iron tower, built by Gustave Eiffel in the late 19th century, is among the most visited tourist sites in the world, receiving about six million visitors each year.

Currently, the tower is undergoing a 60 million euro repainting, which should be finished before the 2024 Olympic Games. This is the 20th time the tower has undergone the same process.

According to the magazine, about 30% of the tower should have been removed and then have two new coats applied, but delays in the work, caused by the covid-19 pandemic and the presence of lead in the old paint, mean that only 5% will be treated.

The company that oversees the tower, Societe d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE) has not yet commented on the matter. SETE does not seem to want to close the tower for a long time because of the tourist revenue that may be lost.