The Eiffel Tower was forced to close on Monday after employees launched a strike in protest of gender discrimination. The industrial action followed revelations that female workers were instructed to leave their posts so male visitors could take precedence during a delegation visit from a Hindu religious group.
According to union representative Diane Davoine, approximately 100 members of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) visited the Paris landmark on Saturday. Upon arrival, women stationed at the monument were told to relocate to accommodate the male-only preference of the group.
Davoine told Reuters that while management has since apologized, the incident caused significant humiliation among staff, particularly women. “Tensions mounted over the weekend,” she said, noting that employees met on Monday to dialogue with management and ensure such treatment does not recur.
Société d’Exploitation de la tour Eiffel (SETE), the operating company, confirmed that the BAPS delegation had requested the visit be organized to minimize interactions with women. SETE stated that these conditions should not have been accepted, calling them contrary to its values and the principles of gender equality. SETE President Ariel Weil condemned the practice, reiterating the monument’s commitment to republican values.
BAPS, which consecrated its first major temple in France on Sunday in the Paris suburbs, issued an apology via social media for any pain or inconvenience caused. The group described its trip as being arranged during normal opening hours to avoid disrupting other visitors and emphasized its belief in universal values of mutual respect.
The incident drew sharp condemnation from senior French political figures. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire acknowledged the legitimacy of the employees’ anger and promised an investigation. He stated, “Equality between women and men will never stop at the foot of our historical monuments.”
Hard-right leader Marine Le Pen declared that France would never accept limitations on women’s presence. Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, a presidential hopeful, asserted that no culture or belief can dictate women’s place in French society. Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly, also refused to allow women to be compelled to step aside for foreign visitors.
Love the Eiffel Tower, but this situation makes it hard to celebrate. Solidarity with the striking workers.
Politicians are quick to condemn, but what concrete policy changes will actually prevent this?
The staff’s humiliation is palpable. Management should have stood firm from the start, not after the fact.
Does this set a dangerous precedent? Who decides which cultural demands outweigh labor rights here?
Absolutely unacceptable. A landmark representing French values shouldn’t compromise on basic equality.