French wheel to stop turning

The Eiffel Tower was also originally planned as a temporary structure

PARIS, France -- The giant millennium Ferris wheel in the centre of Paris must be pulled down, a court has ruled.

The court gave the wheel's owners two days to begin dismantling the wheel or face 15,000 euros ($13,390) for each day it stays in place.

City Mayor Bertrand Delanoe brought the case to court, saying permission had only been granted for the wheel to be at its Place de La Concorde site for one year and that a year's grace had already been given to the controversial tourist attraction.

The civil court ruled on Friday that the 60-metre (200-ft) wheel was illegally occupying the square, which is registered as an historic monument.

VIDEO CNN's Jim Bitterman reports on efforts by Paris to shut down a controversial Ferris wheel at the historic Place de La Concorde (January 11) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

Marcel Campion, the wheel's owner, said he would appeal against the decision, but his lawyer said the move would not block the judge's order from being carried out. Campion had wanted to keep the wheel in place for another year.

"They're tossing us out like Kleenex," Campion said.

He has also filed counter-suits against City Hall for non-respect of contracts as he insists he was promised two years at the Place de la Concorde with a third at an equivalent location.

A fierce debate has raged about the future of the wheel, which is less than half the height of London's Millennium wheel between populists keen to keep the wheel and traditionalists who argue it is an eyesore.

Campion mobilised a high-profile support campaign last year and has installed his own power generator on site to ensure the wheel turns and the 50,000 light bulbs are lit even if the authorities turn off the mains supply.

Critics say the Ferris wheel is an eyesore that mars the Paris skyline. Supporters, including presidential candidate Alain Madelin, say it has become as much a part of Paris' heritage as the Eiffel Tower.