Paris Eiffel Tower Closed Due to Strike Over Discriminatory Hindu Delegation Demands

The Eiffel Tower remained closed due to a sudden employee strike after workers were allegedly instructed to hide female staff members during a visit by a Hindu delegation, according to Le Parisien and union statements reported by Corriere della Sera. The shutdown disrupted travel plans for visitors who had purchased tickets in advance, highlighting tensions over gender equality and public secularism in France. According to Le Parisien, a delegation of high-ranking dignitaries asked the monument's management company on a Saturday to be received exclusively by male employees. Workers stated that female staff and employees from supplier companies were ordered to leave their posts or hide in service rooms during the visit by representatives of the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) organization. Following a staff assembly, employees launched a strike on Monday. Union representatives released a statement detailing the directives given to workers. Female employees were instructed to render themselves invisible, with some asked to withdraw to specific areas while male colleagues took their places. Management subsequently acknowledged the misstep in a public statement issued on Monday evening. Management Response and Public Reactions According to the operating company SETE, delegation representatives requested that the spiritual leader's visit involve limited interactions with women. In its public statement, SETE admitted that these conditions should not have been accepted, noting they conflicted with corporate values, principles of gender equality, and neutrality requirements for monument visits. The company stated that no protocol or religious consideration justifies waiving gender equality. Political figures weighed in heavily on the controversy. Paris Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire stated that gender equality does not stop at the gates of historical monuments and called the workers' malcontent legitimate. Former Prime Minister and Paris lawmaker Michel Barnier remarked that foreign practices do not dictate how women should behave or dress in public spaces in France. Broader Political Context in France The incident occurred amid intense debate regarding secularism and gender equality ahead of presidential primary campaigns. Right-wing figures have proposed strict bans on religious garments in public spaces, while radical left politicians have opposed such measures. Observers noted that the directive to conceal female workers at a major national landmark intensified public scrutiny over how institutions enforce secular laws. Did You Know? The BAPS organization's visit to the Eiffel Tower concluded 13 days of celebrations marking the opening of the largest Hindu temple in continental Europe, located in Bussy-Saint-Georges near Paris. Frequently Asked Questions Why was the Eiffel Tower closed? The monument closed due to a staff strike initiated after workers objected to instructions to hide female employees during a VIP religious delegation's visit. What did monument management say about the incident? According to SETE, management admitted it erred in accepting conditions that restricted interactions with female staff, stating that religious or protocol considerations cannot override gender equality principles. What are affected visitors advised to do? Management promised that ticket-holders whose visits were canceled due to the Monday closure will have their entry guaranteed as soon as possible.