Eiffel Tower Closes Temporarily After Female Staff Sidelined During Hindu Delegation's Visit

The Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed to visitors after employees staged a protest over allegations that female staff members were asked to move out of sight during a private visit by a delegation linked to the Hindu religious organisation BAPS. The controversy has prompted Paris authorities to order an investigation, while the monument's operating company acknowledged that arrangements limiting interactions with women should not have been accepted, according to a report.

Staff Protest Delays Opening

The dispute stems from a private visit on Saturday by around 100 people linked to the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, or BAPS, which was in France for celebrations connected to the inauguration of a Hindu temple in the Paris suburbs. Eiffel Tower Lightning Strike Video: Dramatic Clip Viral on Social Media After Paris Storms.

According to union representatives, female employees were told to leave areas where they were working as members of the delegation passed through, with male employees taking their places. Staff said some women were also instructed not to enter or cross certain areas during the visit.

Tensions over the incident grew over the weekend, leading employees to hold a meeting and protest on Monday. The Eiffel Tower's opening was delayed, with notices citing operational reasons for the disruption.

Employees Demand Action Over Treatment of Women

Union representative Diane Davoine said the employees wanted to open a dialogue with management and ensure that female staff would never face similar treatment again. Management subsequently apologised to employees, according to the union representative. Staff condemned what they described as instructions that had resulted in female workers being sidelined or made invisible because of their gender. Eiffel Tower Fire: Overheated Cables Ignite Blaze in Elevator Shaft at Popular Tourist Destination in Paris, Hundreds of Tourists Evacuated (Watch Video).

Eiffel Tower Operator Acknowledges Error

SETE, the company that operates the Eiffel Tower, acknowledged that the visiting delegation had requested arrangements aimed at limiting interactions with women. The company said such conditions should not have been accepted and were not in line with its values or the principle of equality between men and women. SETE President Ariel Weil also described the reported practice as unacceptable.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire Orders Investigation

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said an investigation would be launched as soon as possible to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. The controversy has also drawn criticism from French political figures, who said gender equality and equal treatment of women could not be compromised while accommodating visitors at a public landmark.

BAPS Says Visit was Coordinated With Authorities

BAPS said the large delegation's visit had been organised in consultation with Eiffel Tower authorities and scheduled at the start of regular opening hours to minimise disruption to other visitors. The organisation said it was not aware of any instance in which visitors had been denied access to the monument during the visit. It also expressed regret over any distress or inconvenience caused by the controversy.

The incident has now put the spotlight on how the arrangements for the private visit were approved and whether further action will be taken following the Paris authorities' investigation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 08, 2026 07:16 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).