Operations at the
In a formal statement, employees expressed shock over instructions they claimed were issued to ensure the delegation’s visit proceeded without interaction with women. Workers alleged that female staff members were ordered to vacate their posts, rendered invisible, or replaced by male colleagues to accommodate the visitors. The staff condemned these directives as a violation of professional standards and
Management and Government Response
SETE, the company responsible for operating the landmark, acknowledged that the delegation had requested to limit interactions with women. The company admitted that these conditions should not have been accepted, stating that such arrangements were inconsistent with the organization’s values and the principles of gender equality. Ariel Weil, president of SETE, reaffirmed the Eiffel Tower’s commitment to republican values and stated that the company would address the consequences of the incident.
The controversy has drawn significant attention from French officials. Paris Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire announced that an investigation would be launched immediately to clarify the events. Meanwhile, French Equality Minister Aurore Berge stated on social media that no religious dogma or belief system supersedes the laws of the Republic, emphasizing that women in France are not expected to conceal their presence. Similar sentiments were echoed by political figures including Marine Le Pen and Gabriel Attal, who both asserted that no group should dictate the role or visibility of women in public spaces.
The Delegation’s Statement
Representatives from BAPS addressed the allegations following the staff protest. The group stated that the visit was coordinated with Eiffel Tower management to occur at the start of normal operating hours to minimize disruption to the general public. They maintained that, to their knowledge, access to the monument was not denied to any visitors.
In response to the concerns raised by the staff, the organization issued an apology to anyone who may have been inconvenienced or distressed by the situation. The group emphasized its commitment to the values of mutual respect and service. According to a staff representative, the Eiffel Tower was scheduled to resume normal operations on Tuesday.
