The short version
- The director general of the Eiffel Tower operating company will leave his post at year-end after an inquiry found operational failures led to the exclusion of female staff.
- Female employees were replaced by men or instructed to avoid certain areas during a visit by BAPS monks, prompting a one-day strike and widespread outrage over gender discrimination.
- Political leaders in Paris condemned the incident as a violation of French republican values, while the religious group apologized for the distress caused by their request for limited interaction with women.
Patrick Branco Ruivo, the director general of the company responsible for managing the Eiffel Tower, will resign from his position at the end of the year. The departure follows a significant controversy involving the treatment of female employees during a visit by members of a Hindu religious group earlier this month. An internal investigation conducted by the operating entity, known as SETE, concluded that serious operational errors and planning deficiencies resulted in the unacceptable sidelining of women staff members.
The incident occurred on September 5 when a delegation of approximately one hundred individuals from the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, or BAPS, visited the landmark. The group had requested that interactions with women be limited during their tour. According to SETE, management accepted these conditions, which led to female employees being removed from their posts and replaced by male colleagues. In some instances, women were asked to leave their workstations and wait in separate rooms, while others were instructed not to enter or cross specific areas of the monument while the delegation was present.
The decision to accommodate the religious group’s request triggered immediate backlash from tower employees. Staff members organized a one-day strike that forced the closure of the Eiffel Tower, citing outrage over workplace policies that rendered women invisible due to their sex. Union representatives described the experience as humiliating for the affected workers, who felt compelled to step aside against their will. Employees emphasized that the monument serves as a symbol of France and should exemplify the nation’s commitment to equality and non-discrimination.
Political figures in Paris swiftly condemned the management’s actions. Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly, stated her refusal to allow women to be forced aside to meet the demands of foreign visitors. Emmanuel Gregoire, the Socialist mayor of Paris, characterized the decision as absurd, unjust, and unacceptable. He ordered two separate investigations into the matter. The City Hall, which oversees the operation of the landmark, also issued an apology for failing to uphold the French republican principle of equality.
SETE acknowledged that the conditions requested by the BAPS delegation should not have been accepted. Ariel Weil, the chair of SETE, announced that measures and training programs promoting gender equality would be implemented in the coming months. He noted that the leadership transition would be prepared under the best possible conditions following the resignation of Ruivo, who had held the position since November 2018.
BAPS, a spiritual movement rooted in 18th-century Hindu beliefs, apologized for any pain or inconvenience caused by the incident. The group describes itself as a volunteer-driven fellowship dedicated to improving society through Hindu values. It maintains temples in major cities worldwide, including London, Los Angeles, and Sydney. The visit to Paris was part of celebrations marking the inauguration of the group’s first traditional temple in France, located in Bussy-Saint-Georges east of the capital.
The controversy highlights tensions between religious accommodations and secular workplace standards in France. BAPS practices a conservative form of Hinduism that strictly separates men and women in temple activities and building entrances. The group stated that the segregation was introduced for the benefit of women, though critics argue that such 18th-century beliefs are discriminatory in modern contexts. Several monks were present during the visit, including their spiritual leader, Mahant Swami Maharaj, whose vows reportedly forbid contact with women.
Patrick Branco Ruivo, a graduate of the École Nationale d’Administration, had previously served as an adviser to former Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo on public service modernization. His departure marks a significant shift in leadership for one of France’s most iconic landmarks. The incident has prompted broader discussions about how cultural institutions balance respect for religious practices with the imperative to maintain inclusive and equitable working environments.
As the operating company prepares for the leadership transition, it faces the challenge of restoring trust among its workforce and the public. The strike and subsequent political condemnation underscore the sensitivity surrounding gender equality issues in France. While BAPS has expressed regret for the distress caused, the operational failures identified by the internal investigation remain a focal point for accountability.
The resolution of this matter will likely influence future protocols for handling special visits to the Eiffel Tower. SETE’s commitment to implementing new training programs suggests an effort to prevent similar incidents from occurring. The case serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between religious freedom, workplace rights, and national values in a diverse society.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC World↗Eiffel Tower chief to quit after female staff replaced by men during religious visit
- The Guardian US↗Eiffel Tower chief to quit after female staff told to stay hidden during Hindu group visit
