It might not even be Halloween yet, but the city of Paris decided to start decorating early by installing a massive inflatable christmas tree in Place Vendôme.

More questionable than the timing is the shape, which many onlookers have compared to that of a sex toy. 

Designed by American artist Paul McCarthy, the 'tree' has been criticised on Twitter by French anti-gay marriage organisation Princeps Francais, who wrote:

"A sex toy giant 24m high will be installed soon in Place Vendome. Taxpayers, this is where your money goes!"

McCarthy is no stranger to controversy, with his work Complex Pile, installed in Hong Kong last year, leaving even less to the imagination. 

(Flickr.com/photos/faceme)