Louvre Museum Shuts in Paris Over Staff Strike Leaving Thousands Waiting

The Louvre Museum in Paris experienced an unexpected closure on Monday due to a spontaneous staff protest over deteriorating working conditions, including overcrowding and chronic understaffing. Thousands of visitors were left stranded in long, unmoving lines outside the museum's entrance, with some abandoning their wait. Union representative Sarah Sefian explained that what began as a routine monthly meeting escalated into a mass expression of staff exasperation, involving gallery attendants, receptionists, and security personnel. The protest highlighted urgent issues that museum workers feel cannot wait for promised long-term infrastructure and management improvements. The museum's official website acknowledged the strike and warned of possible delays and partial closures of exhibition rooms. This disruption underscores the challenges faced by the world's most visited museum amid rising tourism pressures and strained labor conditions.