Eiffel Tower company chief to step down after staff exclusion scandal

The chief executive of the company that operates the Eiffel Tower will step down at the end of the year, following a scandal in which female staff members were excluded from duty during a visit to the landmark by a Hindu religious group.

The incident sparked significant public outrage in France and prompted a walkout among staff at the tower, which forced the landmark to close for a day. The closure drew widespread attention given the Eiffel Tower's status as one of the world's most visited monuments and a symbol of Paris.

Details on the exact terms surrounding the group's visit and the reasoning behind the exclusion of female staff have not been fully disclosed. The episode has raised questions about workplace policies and accountability at the organization responsible for managing the historic site.

The company's decision to have its chief step down reflects the seriousness with which the incident was treated internally, following the public backlash and the disruption caused by the staff walkout. It remains unclear who will succeed the outgoing chief or what changes to internal policy, if any, will follow.

The Eiffel Tower remains one of France's most significant tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors annually, making any disruption to its operations a matter of considerable public interest.