Under the scheme, which authorities had hoped could be largely completed in time for the Paris 2024 Games, about 20 mature trees would have been cut down and four new buildings housing a cafe, shops, toilets and baggage drop-off constructed.

"I am announcing that we are completely cancelling any construction project at the foot of the tower but the relandscaping is maintained," First Deputy Mayor of Paris Emmanuel Grégoire told the Journal du Dimanche.

A decision to save the trees had already been made in May after environmental protests.

In December 2017, the Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo launched an international architectural competition, aimed at providing a better welcome to the area around the Eiffel Tower for the 20 million annual visitors 

A 54-hectare urban park, the largest in the capital and stretching from Place du Trocadéro to the Military School, was also imagined.

The winning team, led by American landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson, was chosen in May 2019.

But since then her "ONE" project has been checked and altered, despite three consultations and the support of the Council of Paris.

The three Mayors of the arrondissements concerned - the 7th, 16th and 15th - have fiercely oppose the plan, as have many local residents and environmental defence associations.

At the same time, the budget increased from €50 million (£43.5million/$49.8million) to €72 million (£63million/$71.8million) to then €107 million (£93million/$106.7million), although the latest decision means the figure is now €100 million (£87million/$99.75million).

"We are not giving in to pressure but we would like that the project is not overshadowed by controversy," Grégoire said.

"Let’s just say that we are removing some of the friction."

The area of 54 hectares around the tower, crossed by several roads, will be largely turned over to pedestrians and "low-impact transportation" such as bus and bike lanes by the time of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, under existing plans.