Eiffel Tower operator chief to leave after removal of women staff
SETE says an internal probe found organisational shortcomings led to female workers being sidelined during a private visit by BAPS members.
Patrick Branco Ruivo, head of the company that operates the Eiffel Tower, will leave at the end of 2026, SETE said. He has led the Paris landmark since 2018.
The announcement follows an internal probe into the removal of female staff during a private visit by members of BAPS, a Hindu religious and civic organisation. SETE said the probe found operational flaws and organisational shortcomings in arranging the visit, leading to what it called the unacceptable removal of women workers.
The incident prompted a staff walkout on 8 September and criticism from French politicians, who condemned it as an attack on fundamental liberties. The source material does not identify who made the decision to remove the staff.
BAPS had been celebrating the inauguration of a traditional Hindu stone temple near Paris. The organisation apologised to anyone hurt or inconvenienced by the situation.
SETE chair Ariel Weil said she had requested measures and training programmes to promote gender equality. The company did not provide details of the planned steps.
