Eiffel Tower Closes in Protest Over Women's Removal During Hindu Group Visit

The Eiffel Tower was closed to the public on Monday, September 7, 2026, after a workers' strike over the removal of female employees during a recent visit by a Hindu group. On Saturday, September 5, about 100 members of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) visited the iconic landmark. They asked for female staff to be sidelined, sparking widespread outrage and calls for accountability.

Incident Details

During BAPS's private visit, management reportedly agreed to the delegation's request to minimize interactions with female employees. This led to women being asked to vacate their workstations, with male staff taking over, and restrictions on women's movement in certain areas of the Tower ( reddit.com ). Female employees were provided "professional instructions" to be "invisible" during the delegation's presence ( euronews.com ).

Staff Response and Closure

The actions taken against female staff led to accusations of sexual discrimination, resulting in a general assembly and the subsequent strike by the workers at the Eiffel Tower. This protest directly led to the closure of the Eiffel Tower for the entirety of September 7, forcing tourists to miss out on one of Paris' most famous attractions ( reddit.com ).

Official and Public Reactions

The Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), the company that operates the monument, publicly admitted these conditions should not have been accepted and acknowledged management errors ( euronews.com ). International media coverage highlighted the incident as an issue of gender inequality and sexism, amid broader discussions on workplace rights ( cadenaser.com ).

The incident underscores ongoing global conversations about gender equality and workplace discrimination, drawing criticisms from both employee unions and gender rights activists. The immediate repercussions included the Tower's closure and a renewed debate over religious practices conflicting with established employment rights.

Looking Ahead

As the situation develops, expected responses may include further investigations by the French government or the Eiffel Tower management to assess policy violations and prevent recurrence. Stakeholders continue to watch how these events shape public discourse on gender rights and religious accommodation in work settings.