New Strike Paralyzes the Louvre: The World's Most Famous Museum Closes Its Doors in Paris

The Louvre Museum in Paris closed its doors completely to visitors today, Monday, due to a strike carried out by employees, marking the latest episode in a series of recurring disruptions affecting the world's most visited museum, as officially announced by its management.

Automatic Ticket Refund

The museum stated in a statement published on its website that the closure was "due to general strikes," confirming that the value of entry tickets will be automatically refunded to all visitors who were unable to enter the museum.

Ongoing Crisis Within the Institution

This development comes about a month after a full closure that lasted for one day, in addition to partial openings the museum experienced over the past weeks, reflecting escalating tensions between employees and management within this prestigious cultural institution.

Employee Demands

According to the French news agency AFP, Louvre employees are demanding an increase in the number of staff and improvements in maintenance work at the former royal palace, which spans a vast area and receives millions of visitors annually, amid increasing pressure on management.

Major Theft Sparked Anger

The intensity of the unrest within the museum has escalated since the daring theft incident that occurred during the day on October 19, when thieves managed to steal jewelry from the crown jewels valued at over $100 million, raising ongoing questions about security gaps.

Shocking Details of the Operation

Investigations revealed that the intruders used an extendable platform mounted on a truck to access the exhibition hall, where they cut through a glass door with sharp tools in front of visitors, before fleeing with eight rare pieces.

Delayed Maintenance and Structural Concerns

The problems did not stop at the security aspect, as serious maintenance failures in the building have recently emerged. The chief architect of the Louvre, François Chatillon, described the building as "in poor condition," following several incidents that raised concerns.

Severe Cultural Damages

Last November, a water leak caused damage to hundreds of books and manuscripts in the Egyptian section, while a hall for displaying ancient Greek pottery was closed in October 2025 due to fears of ceiling beam collapse.