Louvre Museum Staff Stage Day‑Long Strike, Leaving Visitors at the Door

About one‑fifth of the workforce walks out amid ongoing turmoil

In a decisive show of dissent, roughly 20 % of the Louvre’s 2,100 employees voted to suspend work for an entire day. The strike, which began early this morning, has effectively halted public access to the world‑renowned museum, leaving thousands of tourists stranded outside its historic walls.

The walkout comes at a precarious moment for the institution. Since the audacious theft in October—when a priceless masterpiece vanished from the museum’s vaults—Louvre officials have been under intense scrutiny, grappling with heightened security concerns and mounting public criticism.

“We cannot continue under the current conditions,” said a union spokesperson, explaining that staff members are demanding stronger safety measures, clearer communication from management, and assurances that the museum’s reputation will be restored.

Visitors who had planned to explore iconic works such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo were advised to seek refunds or reschedule their trips. The museum’s ticketing office announced that online reservations for the affected day would be automatically canceled, and refunds will be processed within the next few business days.

Authorities have deployed additional security personnel to guard the premises, but with the galleries closed, the Louvre remains a silent monument to both its artistic treasures and the challenges it now faces.