Paris: The Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed on Monday after employees protested allegations that female staff were asked to leave their workstations and remain out of sight during a private visit by around 100 people linked to the Hindu organisation BAPS.
The delegation was in France for events surrounding the inauguration of BAPS’ first major Hindu temple near Paris. Union representative Diane Davoine said some women were replaced by male colleagues and instructed not to cross certain areas while the delegation passed through.
Management apologised, while the tower’s operator, SETE, acknowledged that the delegation had requested arrangements limiting interactions with women, saying such conditions should not have been accepted.
Nous comprenons les préoccupations exprimées et les prenons très au sérieux.
Compte tenu de la taille de notre délégation, la visite a été organisée en coordination avec les équipes de la tour Eiffel, au début des horaires habituels d’ouverture, afin de limiter autant que… pic.twitter.com/gyiwzmh6Jv
— BAPS Mandir Swaminarayan Hindou de Paris (@BAPSParis) September 7, 2026
BAPS said the visit had been coordinated with Eiffel Tower authorities at the start of normal opening hours to minimise disruption and claimed access to the monument was never denied. It apologised to anyone hurt or inconvenienced and said it respected the concerns raised.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire ordered an investigation, calling employees’ anger legitimate and stressing that gender equality must be upheld without exception.
National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet, Equality Minister Aurore Berge and politicians including Marine Le Pen and Gabriel Attal also condemned the alleged exclusion of women.
The CGT union criticised the instructions as discriminatory. SETE President Ariel Weil said the company would establish what happened and take necessary action. The Eiffel Tower remained closed all Monday and was expected to reopen Tuesday.
