Why Did The World’s Most Visited Louvre Museum Shut Down Suddenly?

Housing 35,000 stunning art pieces, including the priced Mona Lisa and the enigmatic Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Louvre Museum in Paris is one of the world’s most visited places. The historical and architectural gem witnesses over 30,000 visitors daily. So, what happened on June 16 that the world’s most visited Louvre Museum shut down suddenly, leaving tourists stranded?

The Louvre Museum Struggles To Handle Growing Number Of Tourists

A report by The Economic Times informed that the Louvre remained shut for most of Monday, June 16, leaving thousands of visitors confused and stranded on the premises. This was because the staff were overwhelmed by the unimaginable crowds and struggled to manage the situation. The staff at the Louvre Museum went on a strike in utter frustration. With tickets in hand, their minds confused, thousands of stranded tourists gathered into unmoving lines below the famous glass pyramid.

According to a report by Euronews, the staff at the Louvre asked for an emergency meeting with senior officials. But they haven’t given any explanation for the same or the date of reopening. Visitors were frustrated that despite paying for tickets, the museum remained closed, offering them no explanation for the same. A visitor stated to Euronews that thousands of confused visitors stood in unmoving queues beneath the glass pyramid.

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Staff Strike Leads To Untimely Shutdown

This isn’t the first time the Louvre Museum has shut its doors to visitors. During the COVID-19 pandemic and a brief staff strike in 2019, the museum remained shut. But this is the first time, the world’s most visited spot, shut down suddenly, without informing the hordes queued outside with tickets in hand. Overtourism is a growing concern at the world’s most famous museum.

Gallery attendants, security personnel and ticket agents refused to carry out their duties after a routine meeting turned into a full-fledged strike. They cited that the working conditions were “untenable”. It posed difficulties, leaving them physically strained to handle large crowds.

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While the museum has welcomed over 8.7 million visitors in 2024, currently, the space and its staff are facing challenges to accommodate the growing hordes. The insufficient rest spots and limited facilities are posing issues. Moreover, Louvre President Laurence des Cars has even shed light on the fact that certain parts of the institution aren’t waterproof to The Washington Post. She expressed that the swing in temperature can impact the priceless artworks.

While updates are still awaited on the museum’s reopening dates, are you planning a visit to the Louvre?

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ @danflcreativo