The Louvre Museum in Paris announced on Monday that it would be completely closed to visitors, in a new escalation of the strike by its staff. This closure follows a series of protests that began in mid-November, demanding improved working conditions and a solution to the severe staff shortage.
Strike resumes after holiday truce
Union sources and museum management reported that staff decided to resume their strike after a temporary pause during the year-end holidays. The action had effectively begun on December 15th, forcing the world's most visited museum to close its doors that day, before adopting a partial reopening policy in the following days, limiting visits to the "Masterpieces" gallery, which houses global icons such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
Despite the resumption of negotiations on January 5 and intensive meetings held over the past weekend, approximately 300 to 350 employees continued their strike today, citing a lack of tangible progress in negotiations with the museum management and the French Ministry of Culture.
Causes of the crisis: between wages and security gaps
The strikers' demands revolve around two main issues: the first concerns wages, a matter handled by the French Ministry of Culture, and the second relates to working conditions within the museum, which falls under the direct responsibility of the Louvre's management. The employees are particularly protesting the shortage of security personnel and the deteriorating infrastructure of the historic building.
These demands gained considerable momentum after the robbery that occurred on October 19, in which thieves managed to steal eight pieces of French crown jewels, an incident that has not yet been solved and the stolen items have not been recovered, which employees considered conclusive proof of the validity of their warnings about security gaps and lack of resources.
Historical significance and impact of the closure
The Louvre Museum is a cornerstone of the French tourism sector and one of the world's most important cultural landmarks. Its closure is a major blow to the Parisian tourist season, as the museum attracts millions of visitors annually to see its priceless collections. The strike's impact extends beyond the economic sphere, affecting the reputation of this prestigious institution, which faces the challenge of balancing heritage preservation with ensuring a decent working environment for its employees.
In an official statement posted on its website, the museum addressed its audience, saying: "Dear visitors, due to the strike, the Louvre is exceptionally closed today," leaving the door open to speculation about when regular operations might resume as the dispute continues.
