Patrick Branco Ruivo, the head of the Eiffel Tower Operating Company (Sete), is set to step down from his position at the end of the year. His resignation follows a controversy sparked by the exclusion of female staff during a private visit to the landmark by a Hindu religious group.
The incident occurred on September 5, when female workers were ordered to stay out of sight during a visit by members of the BAPS Hindu group. The decision triggered widespread outrage in France, as it was viewed as contrary to the nation's value of equality.
The controversy led to a staff walkout and a strike that forced the monument to close for one day. An internal probe into the matter subsequently revealed management failures, as well as operational flaws and shortcomings in how the delegation's visit was planned.