Eiffel Tower Closes After Female Staff Sidelined During Hindu Group Visit

The Eiffel Tower was closed after female employees protested being sidelined during a visit by a Hindu delegation. Staff were reportedly instructed to make themselves invisible to welcome the group, prompting criticism and a shutdown. The tower’s operator condemned the conditions as unacceptable and reaffirmed its commitment to equality.

The company that operates the Eiffel Tower, Exploitation de la tour Eiffel (SETE), said the conditions imposed during the visit should not have been accepted and were not in line with its values or France’s principle of equality between men and women. SETE president Ariel Weil called the arrangement unacceptable and restated the tower’s commitment to republican values and gender equality.

According to SETE, the visit was arranged at the start of normal opening hours to limit disruption for other visitors. The operator said that to their knowledge, no one was denied access to the monument during the delegation’s visit. Nevertheless, they offered sincere apologies to anyone who may have been hurt or inconvenienced.

Reports said female employees of the Eiffel Tower and contractor staff were instructed to make themselves invisible during the delegation’s visit. Some women were asked to leave their workstations to make way for men. This treatment caused anger and humiliation among the female staff, leading to a protest and the tower’s temporary closure.

The Hindu group involved is described as a spiritual, volunteer-driven fellowship dedicated to improving society. SETE emphasized that no culture, belief, or religion can dictate to women what their place should be. The company acknowledged the legitimate discontent expressed by the employees and condemned the practice as clearly unacceptable.