Louvre temporarily shuts down as employees strike
The Louvre Museum in Paris, renowned as the world’s most-visited museum, temporarily closed on a recent Monday after staff members initiated a spontaneous strike. The protest was driven by concerns over increasing visitor numbers and poor working conditions, leading to frustration among tourists who had planned their visits for months. Employees, including gallery attendants and security personnel, cited chronic overcrowding and understaffing as major issues, stating that the current situation was “untenable.”
Despite the museum’s history of closures related to wars and pandemics, this abrupt strike surprised thousands of daily visitors. Union representatives emphasized the urgent need for relief, as waiting times soared in front of the museum. The Louvre’s challenges have become particularly pressing since it hosted over 8.7 million visitors in 2024 alone, with staff voicing their grievances amidst a backdrop of ongoing renovations aimed at improving visitor flow and infrastructure.
Tourists expressed confusion on social media,highlighting the unexpected nature of the closure. The museum remains a symbol of mass tourism, with famous artworks like the Mona Lisa attracting about 20,000 viewers each day. While a “Louvre New Renaissance” plan has been announced by French President Emmanuel Macron to address these issues, staff members indicate that immediate action is necessary for a lasting working habitat.
Louvre temporarily shuts down as employees strike over too many tourists
The Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum and home to the iconic Mona Lisa, abruptly shut its doors on Monday in France for a few hours after staff members launched a spontaneous strike to protest unmanageable working conditions and surging visitor numbers.
Frustrated tourists, many of whom had their Paris trips planned for months, were left standing in long, unmoving lines, bewildered, and without explanation.
The Louvre, with over 8.7 million visitors in 2024 alone, has become a symbol of mass tourism.
On Monday, staff members walked out during an internal meeting, refusing to return to their posts. Gallery attendants, ticket agents, and security personnel cited chronic overcrowding, understaffing, and deteriorating conditions. Union representatives described the situation as “untenable.”
The Louvre is no stranger to closures. It has shut down during war, terrorism threats, pandemics, and, on rare occasions, labor disputes. But Monday’s strike was particularly abrupt, offering no warning to the thousands of daily visitors.
Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is viewed by an estimated 20,000 people per day in the museum’s Salle des États.
In January, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a sweeping “Louvre New Renaissance” renovation plan, including a dedicated wing for the painting, upgraded infrastructure, and improved visitor flow. But with completion expected years from now, staff members say they need relief immediately.
Tourists took to social media to express confusion and disappointment.
We got in!!! #MonaLisa crowd is insane 😂 Louvre Museum pic.twitter.com/6w5zZkUYEu
— Andy Signore (@andysignore) June 16, 2025
“Bought our tickets months ago… anyone know what’s really going on? Is this some Da Vinci Code BS?” one user wrote.
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Hours later, they updated: “We got in!!! #MonaLisa crowd is insane.”
Museum data from 2024 show that 77% of visitors came from outside France, with Americans making up 13% of all international guests. Visitors from China rebounded to 6% after a postpandemic lull. Notably, 66% of museumgoers were first-time visitors, and 41% were under age 26.
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