Eiffel Tower Reopens Following Staff Protest Over Treatment of Women

The Eiffel Tower has reopened after staff protested the removal of women employees during a visit by a Hindu religious delegation. The operating company, SETE, confirmed that the delegation requested limited 'interactions with women' during their Saturday visit, which the company stated should not have been accepted. Following a meeting between staff and management regarding the incident, the landmark resumed operations on Tuesday. The Eiffel Tower's website indicated it was 'open today,' with visitors passing through security checkpoints shortly after 9:30 AM local time. The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) spiritual movement expressed regret for any 'pain or inconvenience caused' by their visit, stating that no one was denied access to the tower. They explained that the visit was organized to avoid disrupting other visitors due to the size of their delegation. Eiffel Tower staff issued a statement condemning the instructions that led to female employees being sidelined during the delegation's visit. They reported that some women were asked to leave their posts and were replaced by male employees, with instructions for all female staff to avoid certain areas while the delegation was present. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire announced that an investigation would be initiated promptly, acknowledging the employees' anger and validating their concerns. Yael Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly, emphasized that welcoming others should not compromise French values, asserting that women are integral to public life in France.