Staff at the Louvre Museum voted on Wednesday, December 17th, to extend their strike for a second day, demanding improved working conditions and urgent maintenance at the Paris landmark. As union action continued, management was able to open a limited number of rooms to the public.
The labour dispute has added to the challenges facing the world’s most-visited museum and its director, Laurence des Cars, who has been under scrutiny since a high-profile daylight robbery two months ago. After closures earlier in the week, hundreds of visitors queued on Wednesday morning, only to face delays as union activists blocked the main entrance.
Union representatives said the strike was aimed at securing safer conditions for staff and better long-term experiences for visitors. Management announced around midday that some of the museum’s 400 rooms would reopen, prioritising its most famous artworks.
The strike also highlights broader concerns about the Louvre’s infrastructure, following recent incidents including water damage to historic manuscripts and the closure of a gallery due to structural risks. While some tourists expressed frustration, others said the protest offered an unexpected glimpse into France’s long-standing strike culture.
