The Eiffel Tower in Paris is among the world’s most visited landmarks. In a recent update, the tower was shut for a whole day, following a staff protest linked to a private visit by a Hindu religious delegation. However, it has now reopened to tourists. The incident took place during a busy period of religious and cultural events in Paris surrounding the inauguration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Bussy-Saint-Georges.As reported by Reuters, staff representatives said female employees were asked to move away from their usual workstations during the delegation’s visit, while the Eiffel Tower’s operating company, Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), acknowledged that the visiting group had requested arrangements intended to limit interactions with women.What exactly happened at the Eiffel TowerOn September 5, a delegation of around 100 people associated with the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, commonly known as BAPS, visited the Eiffel Tower. As per Diane Davoine, a representative of the CGT union, female employees were asked to leave their regular positions as the delegation moved through parts of the monument.SETE confirmed that the delegation had asked for the visit to be organised in a way that would limit interactions with female employees. The company subsequently acknowledged that agreeing to such conditions was inappropriate.Many details of the incident are still under investigationBAPS said the visit had been arranged with the Eiffel Tower team at an early time to avoid inconvenience to other visitors because of the size of the delegation. The organisation also apologised for any distress caused and said that, to its knowledge, no one was prevented from accessing the Eiffel Tower.Why was the Eiffel Tower closed?The disagreement became a workplace issue for Eiffel Tower employees. On Monday, September 7, staff went on strike. The industrial action meant that the landmark was closed to visitors for the entire day.For travellers, the closure was particularly significant because the Eiffel Tower is one of Paris’s defining attractions and welcomes nearly seven million visitors annually. A full-day closure can therefore affect thousands of sightseeing plans.The tower’s official website currently lists the monument as open from 9:30am to 11pm on September 8, indicating that normal visitor operations have resumed.The incident came during a major BAPS event in Paris
The delegation’s visit occurred against the backdrop of a significant cultural event for the BAPS community.BAPS has been holding a 13-day “Festival of Culture” in the Paris region from September 2 to 14, 2026, marking the inauguration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Bussy-Saint-Georges. The organisation describes the temple as France’s first traditional Hindu stone temple.The celebrations have included several large public events across Paris. On September 3, for instance, more than 5,500 participants took part in a cultural boat procession on the River Seine. The decorated flotilla passed several of Paris’s most recognisable landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Musée d’Orsay and Notre-Dame Cathedral.The BAPS Mandir Swaminarayan Hindou de Paris @BAPSParis shared a post on X along with a video:“The Nagar Yatra brought so much energy to the streets of Paris.There was music, dancing, devotion, families walking together, and people stopping along the route to watch it all pass by.It was joyful, colourful and full of life — a really special day for everyone who took part.Here are some of the highlights from the Nagar Yatra.”For now, however, Paris’s most recognisable landmark is back in operation. Travellers visiting the French capital can once again head to the Champ de Mars, ascend the Eiffel Tower and enjoy its panoramic views across Paris—while checking the official website for the latest opening conditions before setting out.