Eiffel Tower Director Resigns After Investigation Confirms Discriminatory Handling of BAPS Visit

Key points

• Patrick Branco Ruivo, who has led SETE since 2018, will leave his post at the end of the year after an independent probe found 'operational flaws and shortcomings' in the organization of the BAPS visit.
• On September 5, female staff were instructed to avoid certain areas or were replaced by male colleagues to accommodate a delegation of approximately 100 people from the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).
• The exclusion of women triggered a staff walkout on September 7, forcing the closure of the Eiffel Tower, which attracts 7 million visitors annually.
• SETE chair Ariel Weil announced plans for a dedicated protocol department and gender equality training programs, stating that the conditions requested by the delegation 'should not have been accepted.'
• BAPS, a conservative Hindu organization with ties to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, apologized for the incident, describing it as a matter of 'mutual respect and service,' though critics argue the segregation is discriminatory.

Background

This development follows a series of protests and closures in early September 2026. Our archive indicates that the Eiffel Tower had already closed on September 7 due to the staff strike, with SETE apologizing and promising an investigation. The current news confirms the outcome of that investigation: the resignation of the top executive. Previous coverage highlighted the immediate outrage from French politicians and the union's condemnation of the gender-based sidelining, which set the stage for the leadership change announced on September 29.

How outlets are covering it

While all sources agree on the resignation of Patrick Branco Ruivo and the cause (the exclusion of women), they differ in emphasis. France 24 and Le Monde focus on the political fallout and the 'unacceptable' nature of the decision, noting that politicians of all stripes condemned the incident. BBC provides more detail on the specific actions taken, noting that women were 'replaced by men' and 'instructed not to go through certain areas,' and highlights the apology from BAPS. ABC News emphasizes the operational failures uncovered by the independent firm. There is a slight discrepancy in the gender of SETE chair Ariel Weil; France 24 and ABC News refer to Weil as 'she,' while BBC and Le Monde refer to Weil as 'he' or 'they' in some contexts, though the core message of implementing gender equality measures remains consistent across all outlets.

Why it matters

The resignation of the Eiffel Tower's director signals a significant shift in how French public institutions handle requests that conflict with secular and gender equality principles. It underscores the tension between accommodating religious practices and upholding fundamental rights, a debate that has intensified in France regarding the influence of foreign religious organizations like BAPS. The incident also highlights the power of labor unions in holding management accountable for discriminatory practices, potentially setting a precedent for other public landmarks and institutions in Europe.

What to watch

SETE will prepare for a leadership transition in the coming months, with Ariel Weil overseeing the implementation of new gender equality protocols and training programs. The independent investigation's findings may lead to further regulatory changes or public inquiries into how private visits are organized at major French landmarks. BAPS is expected to continue its global activities, but the incident may face increased scrutiny from French authorities and the Indian diaspora, which is divided on the issue.