The renowned Louvre Museum in Paris was unable to open its doors on time on Monday. Thousands of visitors were left stranded outside as staff launched an impromptu protest against working conditions. Union representative Sarah Sefian of the CGT-Culture stated that the protest was initiated by front-of-house staff.
This includes gallery attendants, receptionists, and security personnel. They are protesting what they describe as increasingly deteriorating labor conditions. “It’s a movement led by reception agents who are suffering from the working conditions at the Louvre,” Sefian said.
“What began as a scheduled monthly information session turned into a mass expression of exasperation, with staff deciding to stay together until management arrived.”
Staff members gathered in the museum’s auditorium at 10:30 AM for discussions with the museum’s leadership. “All roles related to visitor reception are affected,” Sefian added. “Overcrowding and understaffing are the main issues being raised.”
As of midday, the Louvre remained closed.
Lines of visitors extended past I.M. Pei’s famous glass pyramid and deep into the underground shopping complex.
Louvre staff protest working conditions
Some ticket-holders decided to leave, creating the illusion of movement in the queues.
A message on the museum’s official website stated: “Due to strikes in France, the museum may open later and some exhibition rooms may remain closed. We thank you for your understanding.”
The Louvre is one of Europe’s top tourist destinations. It welcomed 8.7 million visitors in 2024.
More than three-quarters (77 percent) of these visitors came from outside France. In January, Louvre President Laurence des Cars stated that a visit to the museum had become an ordeal due to overcrowding and insufficient facilities. To address these issues, he imposed a limit of 30,000 visitors per day.
Union officials mentioned that the museum might reopen on Monday afternoon. The Louvre is the world’s most-visited museum. Any disruptions significantly impact both local tourism and the global cultural landscape.
