Paris | 8 Sep 2026
The Eiffel Tower reopened to visitors on Tuesday after employees shut the Paris landmark during a strike over allegations that female workers were removed or sidelined during a private visit by a delegation linked to the Hindu organisation BAPS.
Eiffel Tower reopens after one-day disruption
The monument’s official website listed it as open from 9.30 am to 11 pm on 8 September. The tower had remained closed on Monday after staff held a meeting and began industrial action over the treatment of female colleagues during the delegation’s visit on Saturday.
Signs displayed outside the tower initially told visitors that its opening had been delayed for “operational reasons”. The protest later resulted in the monument remaining unavailable to visitors for the day.
Female workers allegedly asked to leave posts
A delegation of approximately 100 people associated with the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, commonly known as BAPS, visited the Eiffel Tower privately on 5 September.
Union representatives alleged that some female employees were instructed to leave their workstations, avoid specified areas or allow male colleagues to replace them while the delegation passed through the monument.
“Women were asked to leave their workstations so that men could take their places.”
— Diane Davoine, union representative
Employees described the arrangements as humiliating and demanded assurances that women would not be treated similarly during future private visits.
Eiffel Tower operator acknowledges error
Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, the company operating the monument, said the delegation had requested arrangements that would limit interactions with women.
The operator acknowledged that accepting the requested conditions was inconsistent with its commitment to gender equality. Management also apologised to the employees affected by the decision.
“These conditions should not have been accepted.”
— Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel
SETE president Ariel Weil said the company would establish what had happened and draw the necessary conclusions. The circumstances in which the arrangements were requested, approved and implemented are now under examination.
BAPS denies blocking access and apologises
BAPS said the visit was organised jointly with Eiffel Tower personnel at the beginning of normal opening hours because of the delegation’s size and to minimise disruption to other visitors.
The organisation said that, to the best of its knowledge, nobody had been prevented from entering the tower. It nevertheless apologised for any distress or inconvenience caused and said it remained committed to mutual respect and service.
“We sincerely apologise for any pain or inconvenience caused.”
— BAPS statement
BAPS describes itself as a Hindu spiritual and volunteer organisation. Its representatives were in France for events connected with the inauguration of a new BAPS temple in the Paris suburbs.
Paris authorities order investigation
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said the employees’ concerns were legitimate and announced an urgent investigation into the events leading to the strike.
French Equality Minister Aurore Bergé said gender equality could not be set aside on religious grounds. National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet and other French political leaders also criticised any arrangement requiring women to become less visible in a public workplace.
The investigation is expected to examine who authorised the staffing changes, whether the visiting delegation explicitly requested them and what safeguards should be introduced for future group visits.
