Louvre Stops Accepting Visitors: Museum Staff Say They Are Tired of Tourists

The Louvre, the world's most visited museum, was closed on June 16. The reason was not war or terrorism, but tired staff, reports CNN.

Photo: Bensliman Hassan | Dreamstime.com

An incredible spectacle could be witnessed on June 16 at the Louvre, the repository of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpieces and the greatest treasures of humanity. The museum was paralyzed by a protest by its employees – the very people who are supposed to welcome visitors into its halls. But the episode was more than just a strike – it was a reflection of the global problem of “overtourism.” The Louvre, this opulent palace, was a victim of its own popularity. While tourist destinations from Venice to the Acropolis are imposing restrictions on the number of visitors, the most famous museum in the world has reached its limit.

The strike broke out unexpectedly during a routine internal meeting. Wardens, cashiers and security staff refused to go to work to protest unruly crowds, chronic staff shortages and what one union representative called "unbearable" working conditions.

On the subject: The Louvre digitized and published online the entire collection of the museum

“Even the Mona Lisa seems to be groaning under the weight of this,” said Kevin Ward, a 62-year-old tourist from Milwaukee, one of thousands of visitors stuck in long lines beneath the glass pyramid designed by Yeo Ming Pei Pei. “Thousands of people waiting. No information, no explanation. Even she seems to need a break.”

The Louvre rarely closes its doors to the public. It has done so during wars, a pandemic, and several strikes, including sudden protests against overcrowding in 2019 and safety concerns in 2013. But the current situation is unusual: tourists, tickets in hand, are standing in the square outside the museum, and there is no official explanation for the sudden closure.

The disruption comes just months after French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled an ambitious 10-year plan to save the Louvre. It was designed to address the very problems that have now come to light: leaks, temperature extremes, outdated infrastructure, and a visitor flow that exceeds the museum’s capacity. But for those on the ground, those promises seem a long way off.

"We can't wait for years for help," said Sarah Sefian, a representative of the CGT-Culture union. "Our staff is already stretched to the limit. It's not just about the art, but also about the people who protect it."

Crowds of Mona Lisa admirers

The center of attention, as always, is the Mona Lisa, a 20th-century portrait that attracts crowds that look more like pop star fans than art lovers. Some XNUMX people a day squeeze into the Salle des States, the museum’s largest gallery, to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic smile behind protective glass. The room is noisy and crowded, and the density of visitors is such that the masterpieces by Titian and Veronese hanging nearby go almost unnoticed.

"You don't see the picture," complained Park Ji-hyun, 28, who came from Seoul. "You see phones, elbows, you feel the heat, and then you just get pushed out."

The renovation plan, called "The Louvre's New Renaissance," promises to remedy the situation. The Mona Lisa will have its own room with a scheduled entrance. A new entrance on the Seine is planned for 2031, to relieve the current overcrowded entrance under the pyramid.

"The conditions of the show will be worthy of the Mona Lisa," Macron promised in January.

Museum on the edge

Last year, the Louvre welcomed 8,7 million visitors, more than twice as many as its infrastructure allows. Even with a daily limit of 30 people, employees call every day a challenge: there are not enough rest areas, toilets, and the summer heat under the glass pyramid becomes unbearable due to the greenhouse effect.

In a memo, Louvre President Laurence de Cars warned that parts of the building were no longer hermetically sealed, temperature changes were threatening the preservation of works of art, and basic amenities – food, toilets, navigation – were not up to world standards. She called visiting the museum a “physical ordeal.”

"What started as a regular meeting turned into a mass protest," Sefian said. Negotiations between staff and management began in the morning and lasted until midday, but the museum never opened.

The €700-800 million renovation plan will be financed by ticket sales, private donations, public funds and revenue from the Louvre's Abu Dhabi branch. Ticket prices for tourists from outside the EU are expected to increase soon.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

But staff insist their needs require immediate solutions, not plans that stretch over a decade. Unlike other iconic Parisian sites, such as Notre Dame or the Pompidou Centre, which receive government support for restoration, the Louvre remains in limbo, with insufficient funding and limited capacity.

President Macron, who delivered his 2017 election victory speech outside the Louvre and used the museum as a symbol for the 2024 Olympics, has promised to transform it into a safe, modern space by the end of the decade. But for now, France’s greatest cultural treasure, along with its throngs of visitors, is in disrepair.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Top 14 Unusual Food Museums Where You Can Learn and Eat

Inspiration for the Beautiful: 15 Best US Museums

A resident of France wanted to throw away a painting she found at home: it turned out to be a masterpiece worth $25 million

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.