Story perspectives

Eiffel Tower Reopens After Walkout Over Women Exclusion

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 8:04 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Eiffel Tower reopened after staff walkout over women being sidelined during a BAPS delegation visit.
BAPS delegation requested the visit be organized to limit interactions with women.
SETE said the request conflicted with its equality values and should not have been accepted.
Paris mayor announced an investigation into the incident, affirming women’s discontent is legitimate.
Equality minister said no religion can dictate that women erase themselves in France.

History

Historical Context

In March 2004 the French Parliament passed Law 228, banning conspicuous religious symbols in primary and secondary schools and extending the secular principle of the 1905 law. The recent Eiffel Tower walkout organized by SETE, a BAPS delegation, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo and Equality Minister Élisabeth Borne revives the same laïcité debate, showing France’s enduring tension over religion in public spaces.

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Story summary

Eiffel Tower reopened after staff walkout over women being sidelined during a BAPS delegation visit.
BAPS delegation requested the visit be organized to limit interactions with women.
SETE said the request conflicted with its equality values and should not have been accepted.
Paris mayor announced an investigation into the incident, affirming women’s discontent is legitimate.
Equality minister said no religion can dictate that women erase themselves in France.

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