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Louvre Shuts Down as Workers Strike
The most visited museum in the world closes its doors after workers go on strike. citing overwhelming number of tourists
PARIS — The Louvre Museum in Paris, the world’s most visited museum, shut its doors to the public on Monday as staff staged a walkout to protest what they describe as unsustainable conditions driven by overtourism. The strike, organized by the museum’s inter-union committee, cited overwhelming visitor numbers, unsafe working environments, and concerns over the long-term preservation of the museum's artworks as primary reasons for the closure.
The unions claim the museum is under “unbearable pressure,” with staff struggling to manage “record numbers of visitors” while maintaining basic service, security, and conservation standards. According to the Louvre’s inter-union committee, “the Louvre is suffocating.” The committee added that the strike was intended to “sound the alarm on the deterioration of working and visiting conditions.”
An estimated 30,000 people visit the Louvre daily, placing enormous strain on infrastructure, security, and staff resources. This number, drawn from figures reported in all three sources, has become central to the unions’ arguments that visitor levels are now beyond the museum’s sustainable capacity.
In a statement published by the unions and quoted by CNN, workers emphasized that “staff numbers are no longer sufficient to cope with record numbers of visitors,” and said the current conditions are “unacceptable.”
The France 24 report highlighted that workers are particularly alarmed by the impact on the museum’s core mission: protecting and preserving cultural heritage. “Protecting artworks and welcoming the public in good conditions is no longer guaranteed,” the union stated.
The strike took both visitors and officials by surprise. Tourists, many of whom had lined up for hours to see iconic works like the Mona Lisa, were turned away at the entrance. CNN noted that the museum posted a notice on its website apologizing to visitors and confirming the closure due to a staff walkout.
The French Ministry of Culture has acknowledged the situation but has not yet proposed a concrete solution. Culture Minister Rachida Dati said in a statement reported by France 24 that she is “open to dialogue with staff representatives.”
One of the key demands from striking workers is the implementation of timed ticketing and visitor caps, along with an increase in staffing to ensure that safety, conservation, and visitor experience are not compromised. While the Louvre has implemented some crowd management measures in the past—such as encouraging online reservations—the union argues that they are insufficient for current demand.
The Louvre has not issued a reopening date, and union leaders have stated they will remain on strike until meaningful commitments are made to address overcrowding and staffing shortages. The museum's management has yet to comment publicly beyond confirming the closure.
This action comes amid rising tension at other major French tourist attractions, where record-breaking visitor numbers post-pandemic have sparked similar debates about sustainability. France 24 noted that the issue is not isolated, citing similar concerns at other iconic sites like Mont Saint-Michel and the Palace of Versailles.
The Louvre, which houses more than 35,000 works of art, has long been a symbol of French cultural prestige. But its popularity has now become a source of strain—one that, according to workers, risks undermining the very purpose of the institution.
As of now, negotiations are ongoing, and tourists are advised to monitor the museum’s website for updates. The strike has become a flashpoint in the broader conversation about how global cultural institutions can balance access with sustainability—without compromising the art, the workers, or the visitor experience.
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