PARIS, France. The Louvre Museum, the world’s most-visited cultural institution, was forced to close on Monday after its staff staged a spontaneous strike, protesting what they called unbearable working conditions caused by chronic understaffing and overwhelming tourist crowds.
The walkout paralyzed one of the globe’s most iconic attractions, home to the Mona Lisa and thousands of other masterpieces. Tourists, many holding timed-entry tickets, were left confused and stranded beneath the museum’s famed glass pyramid.
“It’s the Mona Lisa moan out here,” said Kevin Ward, 62, a visitor from Milwaukee. “Thousands of people waiting, no communication, no explanation.”
The Louvre’s closure marks the latest flashpoint in a broader backlash against overtourism across Europe. Just a day prior, anti-tourism protests erupted in cities like Mallorca, Venice, and Lisbon. In Barcelona, demonstrators even used water pistols to “cool down” tourists.
At the Louvre, the strike began during an internal meeting when gallery attendants, ticket agents, and security staff refused to return to their posts. Union leaders described working conditions as “untenable,” citing overcrowding, insufficient rest areas, outdated infrastructure, and a lack of basic facilities like restrooms.
“This isn’t just about protecting the art. It’s about protecting the people who protect the art,” said Sarah Sefian, a front-of-house gallery attendant. “We can’t wait six years for help.”
President Emmanuel Macron previously announced a sweeping 10-year plan, dubbed the “Louvre New Renaissance,” to address long-term issues such as climate control, crumbling infrastructure, and crowding. The plan includes creating a dedicated room for the Mona Lisa with timed entry and building a new entrance near the Seine River by 2031.
But museum staff say those promises are far from sufficient, especially as France’s annual state subsidy for the Louvre has dropped over 20% in the past decade, despite growing visitor numbers.
Last year, the museum welcomed 8.7 million visitors, more than twice what it was originally designed to handle. Even with a new cap of 30,000 visitors per day, staff say the situation remains unmanageable, worsened by extreme temperatures and insufficient amenities.
A leaked internal memo from Louvre President Laurence des Cars warned that parts of the building are “no longer watertight,” while temperature swings threaten the safety of priceless artworks. She described the visitor experience as “a physical ordeal.”
While some staff members considered briefly reopening a “masterpiece route” allowing access to major highlights like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, the full reopening of the museum is not expected until Wednesday. Tuesday is a scheduled closure day.
The long-term renovation is expected to be financed through ticket sales, private donations, state funding, and revenue from the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Ticket prices for non-EU tourists are expected to increase later this year.
Despite government promises, Louvre workers say the need for immediate action is urgent. As Macron continues to showcase the Louvre on the global stage, including during the 2024 Paris Olympics, staff insist that without concrete support, France’s greatest museum and the millions who visit it will continue to suffer.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
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