Eiffel Tower Director Resigns After Gender-Based Staff Exclusion Scandal

Key points

• Patrick Branco Ruivo, who has led SETE since 2018, announced his resignation on September 29, 2026, following an internal probe into the handling of a visit by the BAPS religious group.
• The investigation found that 'operational flaws and shortcomings' resulted in female staff being replaced by male colleagues or instructed to avoid certain areas during the visit of approximately 100 BAPS members on September 5.
• The Eiffel Tower closed on September 7 after a one-day staff strike in protest against the gender-based exclusion, with unions describing the management's instructions as 'unacceptable' and 'humiliating'.
• SETE chair Ariel Weil stated that the organization had accepted conditions to limit interactions with women that 'should not have been accepted' and has since requested the creation of a dedicated protocol department and gender equality training programs.
• BAPS, a global Hindu organization with ties to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, apologized for 'any pain or inconvenience caused,' while French politicians, including National Assembly president Yaël Braun-Pivet and Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire, condemned the decision as 'absurd' and 'unjust'.

Background

The Eiffel Tower, which attracts 7 million visitors annually, had previously closed for six days in February 2024 due to a strike over maintenance and wages. The current incident follows a series of earlier reports in September 2026 regarding the initial closure and the subsequent apology from SETE, which acknowledged the error but did not initially announce leadership changes until the resignation was confirmed on September 29.

How outlets are covering it

AP News and Le Monde focus on the resignation of Patrick Branco Ruivo and the findings of the internal investigation, emphasizing the 'operational flaws' that led to the exclusion of women. BBC highlights the specific actions taken by BAPS, noting their strict separation of men and women, and includes reactions from French politicians who called the incident 'unacceptable.' France 24 emphasizes the broader political outrage in France and the connection between BAPS and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that the incident united French politicians across the spectrum. All sources agree that the exclusion of female staff was a serious breach of gender equality principles, but they differ in emphasis: AP and Le Monde focus on the corporate response and resignation, BBC provides more detail on BAPS's beliefs and the political reactions, and France 24 highlights the international dimension and the group's ties to Indian politics.

Why it matters

The resignation of the Eiffel Tower's director general signals a significant shift in the management of one of the world's most iconic landmarks, highlighting the importance of gender equality and the consequences of discriminatory practices in public institutions. The incident also raises questions about the intersection of religious practices and secular laws in France, particularly regarding the treatment of women in public spaces. The response from French politicians and the promise of new gender equality protocols indicate a broader societal commitment to addressing such issues, while the involvement of BAPS, a global organization with ties to Indian politics, adds an international dimension to the controversy.

What to watch

SETE is expected to implement new gender equality training programs and create a dedicated protocol department to prevent similar incidents in the future. The leadership transition will be prepared over the coming months, with Ariel Weil overseeing the process. The Eiffel Tower is expected to reopen fully after the one-day strike, and the incident may lead to further scrutiny of BAPS's activities in France and other countries. French politicians may continue to debate the balance between religious freedom and gender equality in public spaces, and the incident may influence future policies regarding the treatment of women in public institutions.