Visitors Left Stunned After Spontaneous Strike Shuts Down Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum in Paris, the world's most-visited museum, closed its doors on Monday (June 16) due to a spontaneous strike by its staff. Overwhelmed by unmanageable crowds and chronic understaffing, gallery attendants, ticket agents, and security personnel refused to work, citing "untenable" conditions. The museum's closure highlights the challenges of overtourism, as approximately 20,000 visitors daily flock to see the Mona Lisa.

The strike occurred during a routine internal meeting and left thousands of visitors waiting outside with no clear explanation. This disruption comes months after President Emmanuel Macron announced a decade-long renovation plan, dubbed the "Louvre New Renaissance," to address the museum's issues, including water leaks and outdated infrastructure. However, workers feel that immediate action is needed.

The Louvre, which welcomed 8.7 million visitors last year, faces significant challenges in accommodating such numbers. The museum's president, Laurence des Cars, warned that parts of the building are "no longer watertight," and basic visitor needs are not being met. The full renovation plan, estimated to cost upwards of $800–900 million, is expected to be funded through ticket revenue, private donations, and state funds. Until then, the museum and its staff remain in a difficult position, balancing the demands of millions of visitors with limited resources.