Paris: Patrick Branco Ruivo, director general of the company operating the Eiffel Tower, will step down at the end of 2026 following an internal investigation into arrangements made during a September 5 visit by a delegation linked to Hindu organisation BAPS.
SETE, the tower’s operating company, said the probe found “operational flaws and shortcomings” that resulted in female staff being excluded from parts of the visit.
What Happened During the Visit?
The delegation, involving around 100 people, visited the Eiffel Tower during events linked to the inauguration of a BAPS temple near Paris.
According to staff representatives, some female employees were asked to leave their posts or move to other areas while male colleagues took their positions. The incident led to a staff walkout and the tower’s temporary closure on September 7.
SETE had earlier said the delegation requested arrangements to limit interactions with women, while acknowledging that such conditions should not have been accepted.
BAPS said its coordination with the tower was intended to minimise disruption and was not meant as a gender-based request, and apologised for any “pain or inconvenience” caused.
The Paris authorities also ordered separate investigations.
SETE chairman Ariel Weil said the company would establish a dedicated protocol department and introduce new measures and training focused on gender equality.
