Patrick Branco Ruivo, director general of the company operating the Eiffel Tower, will leave his position at the end of the year following controversy over the exclusion of female staff during a visit by a Hindu religious group.
The Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), which runs the Paris landmark, said an internal investigation found “operational flaws and shortcomings” in the organisation of the visit, which led to the “unacceptable” removal of female staff.
The incident occurred on 5 September when a delegation of about 100 people linked to the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) visited the Eiffel Tower.
Female employees were reportedly removed from some positions and replaced by male colleagues. Other female staff were instructed not to enter or pass through certain areas while the delegation was present.
A staff union representative said “women were asked to leave their places of work” and felt “humiliated”.
SETE had previously acknowledged that the delegation requested arrangements to limit “interactions with women”, adding that “these conditions should not have been accepted”.
The incident triggered a staff strike, forcing the Eiffel Tower to close for a day. It also prompted criticism from French politicians and two investigations into the circumstances surrounding the visit.
Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of France’s National Assembly, said after the incident: “I refuse to allow women to be compelled to step aside in order to meet the demands of foreign visitors.”
The Socialist mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Gregoire, described the decision as “absurd, unjust and unacceptable” and ordered separate investigations.
SETE chair Ariel Weil said measures and training programmes promoting gender equality would be introduced.
“The coming months will allow us to prepare for the leadership transition under the best possible conditions,” he said.
BAPS apologised “for any pain or inconvenience caused” following the incident and said “we believe in the universal values of mutual respect and service”.
The organisation describes itself as a “spiritual, volunteer-driven fellowship dedicated to improving society” through Hindu values. It has temples in major cities including London, Los Angeles and Sydney.
BAPS says its separation of men and women is intended to benefit women. The organisation’s members have said the request related to religious practices observed by monks, including their spiritual leader, Mahant Swami Maharaj.
Ruivo has served as director general of SETE since 2018. His departure at the end of 2026 follows the internal investigation into the handling of the September visit.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on:
