World’s Top Museum Closes Its Doors, Raising Overtourism Red Flags

PARIS, France — The Louvre Museum faced significant disruption as staff staged a strike to protest overwhelming visitor numbers and deteriorating working conditions. This iconic institution, known for housing masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, was closed for most of Monday, leaving thousands of ticket holders waiting in confusion.

Gallery attendants, ticket agents, and security personnel raised their voices during a routine meeting, prompting a sudden walkout. Workers expressed deep frustration over chronic understaffing and escalating crowd sizes that have made their jobs increasingly untenable.

“We can’t wait six years for help,” stated Sarah Sefian from the CGT-Culture union. “Our teams are under pressure now. It’s about more than art; it’s about the people protecting it.”

The Louvre welcomed 8.7 million visitors last year, far exceeding its designed capacity. This surge in tourism has made experiences within the museum daunting, leading to concerns about safety and visitor comfort.

Amid this turmoil, President Emmanuel Macron had recently unveiled a decade-long renovation plan aimed at addressing these very issues. However, workers feel that the promised future improvements do little to alleviate their current struggles.

“We take it very badly that Monsieur Le President makes his speeches here in our museum,” Sefian added, criticizing the declining state subsidies which have dropped by over 20% in the last decade, despite the visitor boom.

The strike, occurring in full sight of distressed guests, marks a stark reminder of the museum’s struggles. The palpable frustration among employees has drawn attention to broader issues affecting many cultural landmarks worldwide. The ongoing crisis at the Louvre underlines a reckoning with overtourism that many historic sites now face.

Some workers plan to resume limited operations to give select visitors a chance to see highlights, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. A complete reopening may occur later this week, but staff are adamant that real change is needed sooner.

As the Louvre’s reputation hangs in the balance, it remains caught between the pressures of modern tourism and the need for structural and operational reform—an urgent discussion that requires immediate attention.

Associated Press journalist Laurie Kellman in Paris contributed to this report.