Eiffel Tower Closes Amid Strike Over Exclusion of Female Staff During Hindu Delegation Visit

The iconic Eiffel Tower was closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, due to a strike by employees protesting against the exclusion of female colleagues during a visit by a Hindu delegation. The strike follows orders received ahead of the visit on September 5, which led to the dismissal of women from working during the delegation’s private visit for the inauguration of a new temple near Paris.

Employees at the tower denounced the management for complying with the delegation’s demand to limit interactions with female staff. According to the CGT union, directives were issued to exclude women on the basis of their gender, raising significant concerns about gender discrimination within the workplace. The union accused the management of ceding to the religious group’s requests, thus enabling discriminatory treatment.

In response, the Eiffel Tower’s management admitted that the Hindu delegation requested the visit be organized with minimal interaction with female employees and acknowledged that accepting such conditions was a mistake. This acknowledgment underscores ongoing tensions between respecting religious group preferences and upholding workplace equality standards.

The strike and closure highlight broader issues of gender discrimination tied to accommodating religious groups in public institutions. Workers voiced frustration not only over the dismissed female employees but also over the precedent of allowing external demands to influence workplace practices related to gender.

This incident at one of France's most prominent landmarks has sparked a debate about balancing cultural sensitivities with equal treatment rights. Currently, the strike has suspended operations at the tower, with employees demanding assurance that such discriminatory practices will be addressed and prevented in the future.