The Louvre Closed Unexpectedly
On Monday, June 16, 2025, the Louvre Museum in Paris stayed closed for several hours.
Tourists were surprised to find the doors shut when they arrived in the morning.
Many waited outside, some sitting on the ground, not knowing what was happening.
The museum finally reopened around 2:30 p.m.
Why the Staff Went on Strike
The museum workers decided to stop working that morning. They were unhappy about too many visitors, not enough staff, and very difficult working conditions.
The strike started during a regular staff meeting. Instead of returning to work, the employees refused to open the museum until the managers listened to their concerns.
One worker, Sarah Sefian, said that the situation had become “unbearable” for staff.
The workers explained that they have lost about 200 full-time positions over the past 15 years, which makes their job much harder.
Many Visitors for the Museum to Handle
The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world.
In 2024, it welcomed almost 9 million people, with about 80% being tourists from other countries.
Every day, around 20,000 visitors come just to see the famous Mona Lisa. The room where the Mona Lisa hangs often becomes very crowded, hot, and noisy. Many people barely have time to look at other masterpieces nearby.
Even though the museum tries to limit visitors to 30,000 a day, staff say this is still too many for the building to handle.
The Louvre’s Problems Behind the Scenes
The problems are not only about crowds.
The museum building is getting old and has many issues. There are leaks, temperature changes that can damage the art, not enough bathrooms, not enough places for visitors to rest, and poor air quality, especially under the glass pyramid during hot summer days.
The museum’s president, Laurence des Cars, warned that parts of the building are no longer waterproof. She said that even the basic needs of visitors, like food and signs, are below international standards.
The Big Renovation Plan
Earlier in 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a big renovation plan called the “Louvre New Renaissance.” It will take 10 years and cost around 700 to 800 million euros.
The plan includes:
- A new separate room for the Mona Lisa.
- A new entrance near the Seine River to reduce crowds at the main pyramid entrance.
- Ticket price increases for non-European visitors.
The money will come from ticket sales, private donations, state funds, and the Louvre’s Abu Dhabi branch.
But many workers feel this plan is too slow. They say they cannot wait six years for better conditions.
For them, the problems need fixing now.
What Happens Next?
The museum reopened in the afternoon after talks between staff and managers.
But the main problems remain. The Louvre, one of France’s most famous landmarks, is still struggling to balance its huge popularity with the needs of both visitors and staff.
With a passion for travel and having visited over 50 countries, Dorian is eager to share his favorite spots and expert tips to help you explore Paris and France like a local.
