Eiffel Tower closes after staff strike over removal of female workers
The Eiffel Tower closed for a day after staff went on strike over allegations that female workers were sidelined during a visit by a Hindu delegation.
Eiffel Tower Shut as Staff Protest Over Treatment of Female Workers During Hindu Group Visit
The Eiffel Tower, one of Paris’s most iconic landmarks, was closed on Monday, 8 September 2026, after staff launched a strike over allegations that female employees were sidelined during a visit by a Hindu religious group. The incident, which drew widespread condemnation from French officials and unions, has sparked a broader debate about gender equality and the limits of cultural accommodation in public spaces. The dispute originated during a private visit by a delegation of approximately 100 members linked to the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a Hindu organization with global branches. According to reports, the group requested that their visit be organized to “limit interactions with women,” leading to the reassignment of female staff to different areas of the tower. Union representatives described the actions as “humiliating” and “inconsistent with the principles of equality between men and women.”Société d'Exploitation de la tour Eiffel (SETE), the company that operates the Eiffel Tower, confirmed the delegation’s request but admitted the conditions “should not have been accepted.” In a statement, SETE emphasized that its values “do not align with the principle of limiting interactions based on gender.” The company also acknowledged it would face “consequences” for failing to uphold its commitments to equality.
Union Claims Female Workers Were ‘Sidelined’ and ‘Rendered Invisible’
The General Confederation of Labour (CGT) union, which represents Eiffel Tower staff, issued a detailed account of the incident. According to the union, female employees were “asked to leave their posts and withdraw to other areas” while male staff replaced them in certain roles. Additionally, all women were instructed not to traverse or cross specific zones during the delegation’s visit. Diane Davoine, a CGT representative, told French media that the treatment of female workers “absolutely does not go down well” with staff. She emphasized that the incident left women “humiliated” and called for an investigation into the circumstances. The union also demanded that such practices be prohibited in the future, stating that “no dogma, no religion is above the laws of the Republic.”The Eiffel Tower’s closure on Monday marked the first time in years that the landmark was shut for a staff strike. Management confirmed the site would reopen on Tuesday after a meeting between workers and executives. However, the incident has already prompted political fallout, with French leaders condemning the treatment of female employees.
Political Backlash and Calls for Investigation
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire condemned the incident, calling the staff’s anger “legitimate” and vowing to launch an investigation. In a statement on X, he wrote, “Equality between women and men will never stop at the foot of our historical monuments, nor anywhere in this city. It must be applied everywhere, for everyone.” French Minister for Gender Equality and the Fight Against Discrimination, Aurore Berge, described the situation as “unacceptable,” reinforcing that “no religion is above the laws of the Republic.” National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet echoed these sentiments, stating, “Welcoming others never means giving up our values. In France, women are fully present in public life. No one tells them to become invisible.”Far-right leader Marine Le Pen also weighed in, declaring that France would “never accept that the presence of women be ‘limited.’” Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal added that “no culture, no belief, no worship, nothing nor anyone can dictate to women their place.”
BAPS Apologizes, Emphasizes Commitment to ‘Universal Values’
The BAPS Hindu temple in Paris issued a statement apologizing for the incident, asserting that the visit was “arranged in conjunction with the Eiffel Tower team at the start of normal opening hours to avoid disrupting or inconveniencing others.” The statement acknowledged that “at no point was anyone prevented access to the Eiffel Tower” but expressed regret for any “pain or inconvenience caused.” BAPS, which has a global following and recently consecrated its first major temple in France, described itself as a “spiritual, volunteer-driven fellowship dedicated to improving society” through Hindu values. The organization emphasized its commitment to “the universal values of mutual respect and service to others,” though it did not directly address the specific allegations of gender-based reassignment.The incident has also drawn scrutiny from Indian political figures. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has close ties to BAPS, congratulated the organization on the consecration of its Paris temple but did not comment on the Eiffel Tower controversy.
Timeline of Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Weekend | BAPS delegation of ~100 members visits Eiffel Tower, requesting limited interactions with women. |
| Monday, 8 September | Staff strike leads to Eiffel Tower closure; union claims female workers were reassigned and restricted. |
| Monday, 8 September | Paris Mayor Grégoire announces investigation into the incident. |
| Monday, 8 September | BAPS issues apology, stating the visit was organized to minimize disruption. |
| Tuesday, 9 September | Eiffel Tower reopens after staff-management meeting; SETE admits conditions were unacceptable. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Eiffel Tower closed?
The Eiffel Tower was closed on 8 September 2026 after staff went on strike over allegations that female workers were removed from their posts during a visit by a Hindu group. The strike lasted one day, with the tower reopening on 9 September after a meeting between workers and management.
Who is BAPS, and what role did it play?
BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) is a Hindu organization with global temples, including a newly consecrated one in France. A delegation of ~100 members visited the Eiffel Tower, requesting limited interactions with women, which led to the controversy. BAPS apologized for the incident but did not directly address the specific allegations.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Paris city authorities have announced an investigation into the incident, which is expected to examine the circumstances of the BAPS visit and the treatment of female workers. The Eiffel Tower’s operator, SETE, has admitted the conditions should not have been accepted, but no formal findings have been released yet.
The Eiffel Tower’s closure has reignited discussions about the balance between cultural sensitivity and gender equality in public institutions. As the investigation unfolds, the incident underscores the tensions that arise when religious practices intersect with labor rights and societal values. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that the principles of equality and dignity are upheld—not just at the Eiffel Tower, but across all public spaces in France.
Dateline Wire is dedicated to independent, evidence-backed reporting. This briefing was synthesized from primary source reporting, corroborated across independent newsrooms, and verified against our Editorial Standards.
