Eiffel Tower closes after staff strike over alleged exclusion of women during Hindu group visit

The Eiffel Tower was closed on Monday after a strike by its staff, who protested the exclusion of female employees during a recent visit by a Hindu delegation. The strike forced the landmark to suspend operations for the day, affecting visitors and scheduled tours.

According to the tower’s operator, the Hindu group had requested that the visit be organised in a manner that limited “interactions with women.” As a result, female staff members were sidelined from certain duties and interactions during the delegation’s tour of the site.

Employees expressed that the request amounted to gender-based discrimination, prompting a walkout that halted the tower’s activities. The strike was supported by a number of workers who argued that the exclusion violated workplace equality standards.

The closure lasted for several hours, after which the tower resumed limited operations. Management indicated that discussions are ongoing to address the concerns raised by staff and to ensure compliance with French labor and anti‑discrimination laws.

The incident has drawn attention to the balance between accommodating cultural or religious preferences and upholding gender‑equality principles in public institutions. Authorities have not yet announced any further actions or investigations related to the matter.