More than 30 Greeks are due today to begin the massive task of giving the Eiffel Tower in Paris a new coat of paint to mark the 120th anniversary of the French landmark.

A company from Thessaloniki, Stelma SA, has been awarded the contract to cover all 250,000 square meters of the iron structure in a special bronze paint.

Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe has organized the start of the project to coincide with the tower celebrating its 120th birthday. It is expected to take the experienced Stelma workmen more than a year to complete the job, which will require some 60 tons of paint, costing 170 million euros.

“It is the first time that we are taking on such an important monument,” said the company’s vice president, Dimitris Mamantzis. “It is a great burden of responsibility but it fills us with pride.” This will be the Eiffel Tower’s 18th makeover.