Paris: The Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed on Monday after employees gathered for a meeting following an incident involving female staff during a private
visit by a Hindu religious delegation.
Union representatives said women working at the Paris landmark were asked to leave their usual positions while a delegation linked to the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) passed through the site on Saturday.
Female employees allegedly asked to step aside during BAPS visit
The incident reportedly caused growing frustration among employees over the weekend, eventually leading to a staff meeting and a brief disruption to the monument’s opening.
Diane Davoine, a union representative, said female employees were instructed to move away from their workstations during the delegation’s visit, with male colleagues taking their places.
“As the delegation passed through, women were asked to leave their workstations so that men could take their places,” Davoine told Reuters.
She said employees wanted to discuss the incident with management and ensure that similar treatment would not happen again.
“Tensions mounted over the weekend, so this morning, the employees decided to meet: first, to open a dialogue with management, and second, to ensure that women are never treated this way at the company again,” she said.
The Eiffel Tower displayed a notice saying its opening had been delayed for “operational reasons” as employees held their meeting.
Davoine said management had apologised to staff following the incident.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said authorities would investigate what happened. He acknowledged the employees’ concerns and said their dissatisfaction was justified.
“It is urgent that all light be shed on the facts that led to this protest,” Gregoire wrote on X.
BAPS rejects exclusion claim
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
The delegation involved around 100 people connected with BAPS, which was in France for events linked to the inauguration of a Hindu temple in the Paris suburbs.
BAPS said the Eiffel Tower visit had been arranged at the beginning of the day because of the group’s size and to avoid inconvenience to other visitors.
“To the best of our knowledge, at no point was anyone prevented access to the Eiffel Tower. Nevertheless, we sincerely apologise for any pain or inconvenience caused,” BAPS said.
The company operating the Eiffel Tower did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The incident also drew criticism from French political figures. National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet said welcoming visitors should not come at the cost of France’s principles on women’s participation in public life.
“Welcoming others never means giving up our values. In France, women are fully present in public life. No one tells them to become invisible,” she wrote on X.
