French wheel turns against law

The Eiffel Tower was also originally planned as a temporary structure

PARIS, France - The owner of the Parisian Millennium Wheel opened for business on Monday defying a court order.

Dozens of fairground workers from across France converged on Paris to support Marcel Campion as he attempted to keep the wheel in the city's historic Place de la Concorde.

The French courts ruled last week Campion must dismantle the wheel or face fines of 15,000 euros ($13,400) a day.

The civil case was brought by Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe who argued the city had only given permission for the wheel to be installed in the square for one year -- and that it had agreed to extend the period for a second year.

VIDEO The wheel in the shadow of the tower (January 11) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

Campion told Reuters news agency on Monday: "If the police come to take us by force, we will respond with force."

But Delanoe, speaking on RTL radio, said: "He must obey the law like anyone else. If Campion refuses it will be the security forces that enforce the law."

The mayor insists that after being on site for two years it is now time for the 60-metre high (180 ft) wheel to be taken down.

Campion, however, says the structure has become a landmark tourist attraction and has fought a high profile publicity campaign to press his case.

At the weekend he offered free rides, while trying to broaden the row by saying his struggle is symbolic of the position of the nation's fairground industry.

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.