Eiffel Tower Closes Abruptly Amid Controversy Over Hindu Delegation

The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, was abruptly closed on Monday (7/9/2026). The closure of one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations came as a result of a workers’ strike following controversy over the treatment of female staff during a visit by a Hindu religious group.

Citing France 24 on Tuesday (8/9/2026), the entrance to the Eiffel Tower appeared deserted on Monday morning. The unannounced closure took a number of tourists by surprise, including those who had bought tickets online.

“We already bought tickets on the internet and only found out now that this place is closed,” said one visitor.

The strike was triggered by an incident that took place during a Hindu religious event on Saturday. The event was attended by thousands of participants and a number of decorated vehicles.

As part of the proceedings, a delegation was given a private tour of the Eiffel Tower. However, the delegation reportedly requested that the female staff on duty be replaced by male workers.

According to the trade union, the Eiffel Tower’s management at the time complied with the request. Not only were the officers replaced, female staff who were on duty were also reportedly asked to keep their distance from the delegation. CGT union representative Diane Davoine said the treatment sparked anger among the staff.

“They were asked to step aside because this delegation could not come into contact with women. Today, the closure of the Eiffel Tower is the result of the staff’s emotions and the insult to women,” said Davoine.

The company that operates the Eiffel Tower subsequently acknowledged the incident. Management also stated that the delegation’s request should never have been accepted in the first place.

“No consideration of protocol, culture, or religion can justify a deviation from the principle of equality between men and women,” the Eiffel Tower operator said in a statement.

The dispute also drew the attention of the Mayor of Paris. The city government expressed its support for the Eiffel Tower workers and described the incident as “unacceptable”.