The world’s most-visited museum, the Louvre in Paris, remained shut on Monday, June 16th. The museum staff walked off the job, citing unbearable working conditions and unsustainable crowds.
The strike, sparked during a routine internal meeting, saw staff refusing to take their posts, protesting what one union described as “untenable” conditions. Chronic understaffing, lack of resources, and the daily crush of more than 30,000 visitors have pushed staff to a breaking point.
President Emmanuel Macron’s €700–800 million ‘Louvre New Renaissance’ plan, announced earlier this year, promises to give the Mona Lisa a dedicated room and build a second museum entrance to relieve congestion. But the full renovation isn’t expected until 2031.
“We can’t wait six years for help,” said Sarah Sefian of the CGT-Culture union. “Our teams are under pressure now. It’s not just about the art — it’s about the people protecting it.”
A leaked internal memo from Louvre President Laurence des Cars revealed how deep the problems run. She described dangerous temperature swings, leaks, and basic services like bathrooms and signage falling below international standards. She called the visitor experience “a physical ordeal.”
