Eiffel Tower Shut After Hindu Group BAPS Visit Controversy
- By Thetripurapost Web Desk, Paris
- Sep 08, 2026
- 232
Paris's world-famous Eiffel Tower remained closed on Monday after workers launched industrial action following a dispute surrounding a recent visit by representatives of the Hindu organisation BAPS.
The controversy relates to Saturday's visit, when female employees reportedly faced instructions to leave their usual positions so that male colleagues could take over those duties.
Diane Davoan, a representative of the staff union, told Reuters that women working at the monument were allegedly told to move aside when the delegation arrived. According to her, the employees considered the treatment degrading and emotionally distressing.
The dispute intensified over the weekend, eventually prompting staff to gather on Monday for discussions with Eiffel Tower management.
SETE, the operator responsible for running the monument, acknowledged that special arrangements had been requested by BAPS to reduce contact between members of the delegation and female employees.
However, the company said it should not have accepted such a request because doing so conflicted with its own rules and its commitment to equal treatment between men and women.
SETE President Arielle Weil described the decision as unacceptable, stressing that the Eiffel Tower operates according to French legislation and the principle of gender equality.
BAPS Expresses Regret Over the Controversy
BAPS said the visit involved roughly 100 participants and had been organised in advance alongside the Eiffel Tower's management team. The organisation explained that the schedule was planned with the intention of avoiding inconvenience for regular visitors.
According to BAPS, it was not aware of anyone being denied access to the monument. Nevertheless, the organisation expressed regret if the arrangements surrounding the visit caused discomfort, offence or emotional distress.
BAPS identifies itself as a Hindu spiritual and charitable organisation. Its network includes temples in several international locations, including London, Los Angeles and Sydney.
The organisation also recently marked the opening of its first major temple in France, with the inauguration taking place in the Paris region on Sunday.
Paris Authorities Demand Examination of the Incident
The controversy has also drawn political attention in the French capital.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire called for the matter to be examined and said the concerns raised by Eiffel Tower employees were understandable.
French Equality Minister Aurore Berge also criticised any attempt to impose restrictions on women based on religious considerations.
"In France, women are not asked to cover themselves. No religion is above the law of the land," Berge said.
Marine Le Pen, a prominent figure on France's political right, said the country would not accept arrangements designed to restrict women's participation or presence.
Former Prime Minister Gabriel Atal similarly argued that no cultural or religious tradition should determine where women are permitted to be.
Eiffel Tower Built in Just Over Two Years
The Eiffel Tower remains one of France's most recognisable engineering achievements. Its construction was completed in approximately two years, two months and five days.
The project was undertaken ahead of the 1889 World's Fair in Paris, an event organised to commemorate 100 years since the French Revolution. French authorities wanted the exhibition to demonstrate the country's advances in engineering, construction and industrial technology.
Plans were developed for a giant iron monument reaching roughly 300 metres into the Paris skyline.
Engineers Maurice Coecklin and Émile Nougué prepared the original concept, which was subsequently refined by architect Stéphane Sauvestre. Gustave Eiffel's engineering company was responsible for constructing the landmark.
Work began on January 26, 1887, and the principal structure was finished on March 31, 1889. Depending on the stage of construction, between approximately 150 and 300 workers were involved at the site.
Why the Eiffel Tower Can Withstand Extreme Weather
1. Its Structure Allows Wind to Pass Through
The monument was engineered with wind resistance as a key consideration. Rather than forming a solid barrier, its iron framework uses an open lattice design.
The four main supports are substantially broader near ground level and gradually converge toward the upper sections. This configuration enables air currents to move through the framework, reducing the amount of direct pressure exerted by strong winds.
The tower consists of around 18,038 individual iron components joined by approximately 2.5 million rivets. Its overall iron structure weighs about 7,300 tonnes.
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2. Temperature Causes the Tower to Expand and Contract
Changes in temperature have a measurable effect on the monument.
Like other iron structures, the Eiffel Tower expands when exposed to heat and contracts as temperatures fall. Consequently, its overall dimensions can vary slightly according to weather conditions.
Solar heating can also produce small movements in different sections of the tower. During powerful winds, the structure moves to a limited degree, but its engineering allows it to accommodate such changes without compromising its stability.
3. Regular Painting Protects the Iron
Because the Eiffel Tower is primarily constructed from iron, corrosion protection is essential.
The monument is therefore repainted on a regular basis to protect its metalwork from rust and environmental exposure. Information published by the Eiffel Tower's official website indicates that complete repainting has taken place roughly once every seven years on average since 1892.
Across its history, the landmark has undergone approximately 20 complete repainting campaigns.
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