Louvre Museum workers vote to strike over conditions, temporarily shutting down the world’s most visited museum
PARIS (AP) — On Monday, Louvre staff cast ballots in favor of a strike over working conditions and a host of related grievances, dealing a fresh blow to the iconic Paris landmark that houses the Mona Lisa. The move follows a troubling October jewelry heist that drew renewed scrutiny to security at the museum.
The CFDT union disclosed that the vote occurred at a morning meeting attended by about 400 employees, and that the strike will last for the day. Consequently, the museum did not open as planned and began turning visitors away. A notice on the Louvre’s website explained that “the museum is closed for the moment.”
For would-be visitors, the news was disappointing. Lindsey Hall, a prospective guest from Sacramento, California, described the moment as heartbreaking and said she had been eagerly anticipating exploring the museum’s vast collection of art and artifacts, calling it “one of those life experiences you crave.” She added that while she could understand the perspective of those who work at the museum, the daily reality of the job is demanding.
The decision to strike followed negotiations last week between labor unions and government officials, including Culture Minister Rachida Dati. Union leaders indicated that, despite those talks, unresolved concerns about staffing levels and the museum’s financing remained.
“Visiting the museum has become an obstacle course,” remarked Alexis Fritche, who leads the culture section of the CFDT union. For museum staff, the daylight jewelry heist underscored long-standing worries that overcrowding and thin staffing compromise security and working conditions.
During the heist, thieves used a basket lift to access the Louvre’s exterior, forced open a window, shattered display cases, and escaped with pieces from the French crown jewels. A Senate inquiry later noted that the robbers slipped away with barely 30 seconds to spare and criticized broken cameras, outdated equipment, understaffed control rooms, and misdirected police response in the initial moments.
In its statement, the CFDT emphasized that workers are seeking stronger security staffing, more robust visitor-facing support, improved working conditions, stable long-term funding for the Louvre, and leadership that truly heeds staff input.
Yvan Navarro of the CGT union argued that staff numbers have continued to decline while visitor numbers rise. “People come to Paris to visit the museums. So, visitor numbers climb as prices rise, because everything becomes more expensive, but salaries and staffing do not,” he said, adding that today’s strike reflects a moment of anger.
