Louvre Museum Faces Closure Amid Staff Strike Over Working Conditions
Published 15 December 2025
Highlights
- The Louvre museum in Paris closed on Monday due to a staff strike over working conditions and pay, affecting thousands of visitors.
- Unions cited understaffing and increased visitor numbers, with 200 positions lost over 15 years, as key issues.
- Recent incidents, including a €88m jewel heist and a damaging water leak, have highlighted security and maintenance concerns.
- The museum plans to increase ticket prices by 45% for non-EU visitors, sparking accusations of discrimination.
- Unions plan to meet on Wednesday to decide on further strike actions, potentially prolonging disruptions.
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Rewritten Article
Louvre Museum Faces Closure Amid Staff Strike Over Working Conditions
The iconic Louvre museum in Paris, renowned as the world's most visited museum, was forced to close its doors on Monday as employees initiated a strike over deteriorating working conditions and insufficient pay. This unexpected closure left thousands of visitors, including international tourists, unable to experience the museum's famed collections.
Staffing and Security Concerns
The strike, unanimously backed by approximately 400 staff members, was organized by the CFDT, CGT, and Sud unions. They highlighted the museum's chronic understaffing, which has seen a reduction of 200 full-time positions over the past 15 years, despite a significant increase in visitor numbers. Christian Galani, a representative from the CGT union, emphasized the urgent need for a change in approach to address the museum's priorities and urgent needs.
Recent incidents have further exacerbated concerns about the museum's security and maintenance. In October, a daring daylight heist resulted in the theft of French crown jewels valued at €88 million. Additionally, a water leak in November damaged hundreds of books and documents, raising questions about the museum's infrastructure.
Ticket Price Controversy
Adding to the controversy, the Louvre announced a 45% increase in ticket prices for visitors from outside the European Economic Area, including those from the US, UK, and China. This move has been criticized as discriminatory, with union officials arguing that it unfairly targets non-EU tourists while failing to address the museum's underlying issues. Galani described the price hike as an "absolute scandal," noting that it contradicts the principle of universal access to culture.
Visitor Impact and Future Actions
The strike has already impacted numerous visitors, such as Minsoo Kim from Seoul, who expressed disappointment at missing the opportunity to see the Mona Lisa during his honeymoon. Similarly, Londoner Natalia Brown acknowledged the unfortunate timing but understood the staff's grievances.
The unions have scheduled a meeting on Wednesday to determine the next steps, which could lead to further disruptions at one of Paris's most popular attractions. The museum, which welcomed 8.7 million visitors last year, remains closed on Tuesdays for maintenance.
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Scenario Analysis
The ongoing strike at the Louvre underscores significant challenges facing the museum, including staffing shortages and security vulnerabilities. If unresolved, these issues could lead to prolonged closures, affecting both the museum's reputation and its financial stability. The proposed ticket price increase for non-EU visitors may also deter international tourists, potentially reducing revenue further.
Experts suggest that the French government and museum management must prioritize addressing these concerns to prevent further disruptions. This may involve increasing funding for staffing and security upgrades, as well as reconsidering the controversial ticket price hike. The outcome of the unions' meeting on Wednesday will be crucial in determining the museum's immediate future and its ability to continue attracting millions of visitors worldwide.
The iconic Louvre museum in Paris, renowned as the world's most visited museum, was forced to close its doors on Monday as employees initiated a strike over deteriorating working conditions and insufficient pay. This unexpected closure left thousands of visitors, including international tourists, unable to experience the museum's famed collections.
Staffing and Security Concerns
The strike, unanimously backed by approximately 400 staff members, was organized by the CFDT, CGT, and Sud unions. They highlighted the museum's chronic understaffing, which has seen a reduction of 200 full-time positions over the past 15 years, despite a significant increase in visitor numbers. Christian Galani, a representative from the CGT union, emphasized the urgent need for a change in approach to address the museum's priorities and urgent needs.
Recent incidents have further exacerbated concerns about the museum's security and maintenance. In October, a daring daylight heist resulted in the theft of French crown jewels valued at €88 million. Additionally, a water leak in November damaged hundreds of books and documents, raising questions about the museum's infrastructure.
Ticket Price Controversy
Adding to the controversy, the Louvre announced a 45% increase in ticket prices for visitors from outside the European Economic Area, including those from the US, UK, and China. This move has been criticized as discriminatory, with union officials arguing that it unfairly targets non-EU tourists while failing to address the museum's underlying issues. Galani described the price hike as an "absolute scandal," noting that it contradicts the principle of universal access to culture.
Visitor Impact and Future Actions
The strike has already impacted numerous visitors, such as Minsoo Kim from Seoul, who expressed disappointment at missing the opportunity to see the Mona Lisa during his honeymoon. Similarly, Londoner Natalia Brown acknowledged the unfortunate timing but understood the staff's grievances.
The unions have scheduled a meeting on Wednesday to determine the next steps, which could lead to further disruptions at one of Paris's most popular attractions. The museum, which welcomed 8.7 million visitors last year, remains closed on Tuesdays for maintenance.
What this might mean
The ongoing strike at the Louvre underscores significant challenges facing the museum, including staffing shortages and security vulnerabilities. If unresolved, these issues could lead to prolonged closures, affecting both the museum's reputation and its financial stability. The proposed ticket price increase for non-EU visitors may also deter international tourists, potentially reducing revenue further.
Experts suggest that the French government and museum management must prioritize addressing these concerns to prevent further disruptions. This may involve increasing funding for staffing and security upgrades, as well as reconsidering the controversial ticket price hike. The outcome of the unions' meeting on Wednesday will be crucial in determining the museum's immediate future and its ability to continue attracting millions of visitors worldwide.
