World's most visited museum shuts down, sounding the alarm on overtourism
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The Louvre , the world's most-visited museum and a global symbol of art, beauty and endurance, remained shuttered most of Monday when staff went on strike in frustration over what they called unmanageable crowds at an institution crumbling from within.It was an almost unthinkable sight: the home to works by Leonardo da Vinci and millennia of civilization's greatest treasures - paralyzed by the very people tasked with welcoming the world to its galleries.Thousands of stranded and confused visitors, tickets in hand, were corralled into unmoving lines beneath I.M. Pei's glass pyramid."It's the Mona Lisa moan out here," said Kevin Ward, 62, from Milwaukee. "Thousands of people waiting, no communication, no explanation. I guess even she needs a day off."(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)The Louvre has become a bellwether of global overtourism - overwhelmed by its own popularity. As tourism magnets from Venice to the Acropolis scramble to cap crowds, the world's most iconic museum is reaching a reckoning of its own.The spontaneous strike erupted during a routine internal meeting, as gallery attendants, ticket agents and security personnel refused to take up their posts in protest over unmanageable crowds, chronic understaffing and what one union called "untenable" working conditions.It's rare for the Louvre to close its doors. It has happened during war, during the pandemic, and in a handful of strikes - including spontaneous walkouts over overcrowding in 2019 and safety fears in 2013. But seldom has it happened so suddenly, without warning, and in full view of the crowds.What's more, the disruption comes just months after President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a sweeping decade-long plan to rescue the Louvre from precisely the problems now boiling over - water leaks, dangerous temperature swings, outdated infrastructure, and foot traffic far beyond what the museum can handle.But for workers on the ground, that promised future feels distant."We can't wait six years for help," said Sarah Sefian of the CGT-Culture union. "Our teams are under pressure now. It's not just about the art - it's about the people protecting it."The Mona Lisa's daily mob At the center of it all is the Mona Lisa - a 16th-century portrait that draws modern-day crowds more akin to a celebrity meet-and-greet than an art experience.Roughly 20,000 people a day squeeze into the Salle des Etats, the museum's largest room, just to snap a selfie with Leonardo da Vinci's enigmatic woman behind protective glass. The scene is often noisy, jostling, and so dense that many barely glance at the masterpieces flanking her - works by Titian and Veronese that go largely ignored."You don't see a painting," said Ji-Hyun Park, 28, who flew from Seoul to Paris. "You see phones. You see elbows. You feel heat. And then, you're pushed out."Macron's renovation blueprint, dubbed the "Louvre New Renaissance," promises a remedy. The Mona Lisa will finally get her own dedicated room, accessible through a timed-entry ticket. A new entrance near the Seine River is also planned by 2031 to relieve pressure from the overwhelmed pyramid hub."Conditions of display, explanation and presentation will be up to what the Mona Lisa deserves," Macron said in January.But Louvre workers call Macron hypocritical and say the 700-800 million million renovation plan masks a deeper crisis. While Macron is investing in new entrances and exhibition space, the Louvre's annual operating subsidies from the French state have shrunk by more than 20% over the past decade - even as visitor numbers soared."We take it very badly that Monsieur Le President makes his speeches here in our museum," Sefian said, "but when you scratch the surface, the financial investment of the state is getting worse with each passing year."While many striking staff plan to remain off duty all day, Sefian said some workers may return temporarily to open a limited "masterpiece route" for a couple of hours, allowing access to select highlights including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The full museum might reopen as normal on Wednesday, and some tourists with time-sensitive tickets for Monday may be allowed to reuse them then. On Tuesday the Louvre is closed.A museum in limbo The Louvre welcomed 8.7 million visitors last year - more than double what its infrastructure was designed to accommodate. Even with a daily cap of 30,000, staff say the experience has become a daily test of endurance, with too few rest areas, limited bathrooms, and summer heat magnified by the pyramid's greenhouse effect.In a leaked memo, Louvre President Laurence des Cars warned that parts of the building are "no longer watertight," that temperature fluctuations endanger priceless art, and that even basic visitor needs - food, restrooms, signage - fall far below international standards. She described the experience simply as "a physical ordeal.""What began as a scheduled monthly information session turned into a mass expression of exasperation," Sefian said. Talks between workers and management began at 10:30 a.m. and continued into the afternoon.The full renovation plan is expected to be financed through ticket revenue, private donations, state funds, and licensing fees from the Louvre's Abu Dhabi branch. Ticket prices for non-EU tourists are expected to rise later this year.But workers say their needs are more urgent than any 10-year plan.Unlike other major sites in Paris, such as Notre Dame cathedral or the Centre Pompidou museum, both of which are undergoing government-backed restorations, the Louvre remains stuck in limbo - neither fully funded nor fully functional.President Macron, who delivered his 2017 election victory speech at the Louvre and showcased it during the 2024 Paris Olympics, has promised a safer, more modern museum by the end of the decade.Until then, France's greatest cultural treasure - and the millions who flock to see it - remain caught between the cracks.
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The world's most famous museum, home to the Mona Lisa, is now shut. Take a look at its iconic masterpieces
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For many, a trip to Paris isn't complete without stepping under the iconic glass pyramid of the Louvre Museum and witnessing masterpieces like the Mona Lisa or the Venus de Milo . But on Monday, instead of gazing at legendary artworks, thousands of confused tourists stood in long lines outside, tickets in hand, as the Louvre—the world's most-visited museum—unexpectedly shut its doors. The cause? A sudden and unannounced strike by museum staff, who say they're buckling under the pressure of overwhelming crowds, insufficient staffing, and poor working conditions, according to an Associated Press report. The strike erupted during an internal meeting, and by afternoon, gallery attendants, security, and ticketing agents had all walked off the job. The iconic glass pyramid entrance became a symbol not of awe, but of frustration, as tourists were left staring in disbelief. While the shutdown made global headlines, it's a moment that reminds us why the Louvre remains such a draw for millions each year. Housing more than 35,000 works of art, the Louvre is not just a museum—it's a living chronicle of human creativity and history. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn The Most Successful Intraday Strategy in Just 2 Hr. thefutureuniversity Learn More Undo Mona Lisa Among its crown jewels is Leonardo da Vinci 's Mona Lisa, famously enigmatic and technically masterful. From her legendary smile to the delicate sfumato technique that gives the painting its misty atmosphere, the Mona Lisa has fascinated visitors for centuries. Aphrodite, known as the Venus de Milo Then there's the Venus de Milo, discovered on the Greek island of Milos and gifted to the Louvre in 1821. With her missing arms and graceful posture, she became an instant icon of classical beauty and has remained a centrepiece ever since. The Winged Victory of Samothrace Standing tall at the top of the Daru staircase is The Winged Victory of Samothrace , a breathtaking sculpture that once overlooked an ancient Greek sanctuary. Captured in motion with billowing drapery and powerful wings, the statue represents Goddess Nike, the messenger of victory. The Pyramid The Louvre itself is a work of art. The famed Pyramid, designed by I.M. Pei, once controversial, now stands as one of Paris's most photographed landmarks. What many don't realise is that the museum has not one but five pyramids, including two smaller glass pyramids and an inverted pyramid that illuminates the underground entrance near the Carrousel shopping centre, as per the Louvre website. Great Sphinx of Tanis Delving even deeper into history, visitors encounter the Great Sphinx of Tanis, an ancient Egyptian sculpture symbolising divine power and protection. With the body of a lion and the face of a pharaoh, it was designed to guard sacred spaces—a fitting metaphor for the museum itself. Portrait of a Lady Also among the museum's priceless treasures is Leonardo's Portrait of a Lady, known as La Belle Ferronnière, a striking example of Renaissance portraiture that showcases Leonardo's unmatched ability to capture presence and personality. As per reports in the Associated Press, the museum might open on Wednesday.
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Guess even she needs a day off. Mona Lisa – arguably the greatest portrait ever painted. At least, that's what one of the shocked visitors felt as they waited outside The Louvre in Paris. The world's most-visited museum shut down on June 16. This was not due to war or disaster but because its own staff went on strike. The Louvre is home to famous art, such as Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Workers like security guards and ticket agents refused duty. They protested against massive tourist crowds, poor staffing and tough working conditions. Thousands of confused visitors stood outside with tickets as staff like gallery guards and ticket agents refused to work. In 2024, the Louvre Museum in Paris saw 8.7 million visitors, double its capacity. Staff say it lacks resting areas, has too few toilets, and becomes too hot in summer due to the glass pyramid. AP cited a leaked memo from Louvre President Laurence des Cars that revealed water leaks, poor temperature control that could damage art and poor visitor facilities. The conditions are far below international standards, according to the president. The sudden strike happened during a regular meeting and shocked many especially as similar anti-tourism protests happened in other cities like Venice and Barcelona. Unlike other sites in France like Notre Dame and Centre Pompidou, which are being restored, the Louvre's upgrade is stuck. 'It's the Mona Lisa moan out here. Thousands of people waiting, no communication, no explanation. I guess even she needs a day off,' Associated Press quoted 62-year-old American tourist Kevin Ward as saying. French President Emmanuel Macron recently announced a long-term plan to fix the Louvre's problems. The plan is to fix leaks and old infrastructure. However, staff say changes feel too far away. 'We can't wait six years for help. Our teams are under pressure now. It's not just about the art — it's about the people protecting it,' said Sarah Sefian, a front-of-house gallery attendant and visitor services agent. Renovation plans may be funded through ticket sales, donations, state funds and income from the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Ticket prices for non-EU visitors may rise. However, workers feel the improvements are urgent and can't wait 10 years. President Macron has promised changes by the end of the decade. But, the staff say they can't wait for 10 years.
