Eiffel Tower shuts after staff revolt over women’s removal

The Eiffel Tower was closed on Monday after staff staged a strike over an incident in which female employees were reportedly moved from their positions during a private visit by a Hindu religious delegation.

The dispute followed a visit on Saturday by around 100 people associated with the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a global Hindu religious organisation.

According to staff representatives, several female employees were asked to leave their usual work areas as the delegation arrived, with male staff taking their places. The incident triggered anger among workers and led employees to demand an explanation from management and assurances that such a situation would not happen again.

Diane Davoine, a representative of the CGT trade union, said the treatment of the female employees had caused humiliation and deepened tensions among staff. She said workers decided to strike after tensions continued to build over the weekend, seeking dialogue with management and guarantees regarding equal treatment in the workplace.

The Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), which operates the landmark, acknowledged that the visiting delegation had requested arrangements designed to limit interactions with women.

The company said such conditions should not have been accepted, describing them as inconsistent with its values and with the principle of equality between women and men.

SETE president Ariel Weil also condemned the arrangement, reaffirming the Eiffel Tower’s commitment to France’s republican principles and gender equality.

The dispute resulted in the landmark remaining closed on Monday, with visitors unable to access one of France’s most famous tourist attractions. A notice at the site said its opening had been delayed for operational reasons.

The BAPS organisation said the visit had been arranged with the Eiffel Tower’s management at the beginning of normal opening hours in an effort to avoid disruption or inconvenience to other visitors.

In a statement, the organisation apologised for any distress or inconvenience caused by the incident and said it believed in universal principles of mutual respect and service.

The controversy has also drawn strong political reactions in France.

Paris officials said an investigation would be carried out to establish exactly what happened during the delegation’s visit. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire expressed support for the protesting workers and stressed that equality between women and men must apply throughout the city, including at its historic landmarks.

Several prominent French politicians also criticised the reported treatment of female workers. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said France would not accept circumstances in which women were asked to limit their presence.

Former prime minister Gabriel Attal said that no culture, religion, belief or individual should be able to dictate to women where they can or cannot be present in France.

National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet likewise said she opposed any situation in which women could be required to step aside to accommodate the demands of foreign visitors.

The incident comes shortly after BAPS inaugurated its first major temple in France in the Paris suburbs, highlighting the organisation’s growing presence in the country.