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Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
The Louvre's breaking point: Why the world's most famous museum shut its doors
The Louvre, the world's most-visited museum, stood uncharacteristically silent on Monday, its doors barred by a spontaneous strike that left thousands of ticket-holding visitors stranded beneath I M Pei's glass pyramid. The walkout, driven by gallery attendants, ticket agents, and security personnel, was a cry against unmanageable crowds, chronic understaffing, and what the CGT-Culture union deemed 'untenable' working conditions. 'It's the Mona Lisa moan out here,' Kevin Ward, a 62-year-old from Milwaukee, told France 24. 'Thousands of people waiting, no communication, no explanation. I guess even she needs a day off.' The Louvre, along with Venice, the Great Barrier Reef and Machu Pichu, has become a case study in overtourism's toll. Last year, it welcomed 8.7 million visitors which was more than double its infrastructure's intended capacity. This was despite a daily cap limiting the number of visitors to 30,000. The Mona Lisa, beloved by tourists, is blamed by the beleaguered staff. The Salle des États, home to Leonardo da Vinci's most famous work, sees some 20,000 daily visitors, the jostling crowds often ignoring nearby masterpieces to take a selfie with the somewhat smiling woman. According to France 24, staff describe the experience as a 'physical ordeal,' exacerbated by scarce rest areas, limited bathrooms, and summer heat trapped by the pyramid's greenhouse effect. A leaked memo from Louvre President Laurence des Cars revealed deeper problems. Parts of the building are no longer watertight, it states, with temperature swings threatening priceless works, and basic amenities falling short of global standards. The strike, which erupted during a routine internal meeting, was a rare and sudden act. The Louvre has closed before during wars, the pandemic, and prior walkouts over overcrowding in 2019 and safety in 2013. But never so abruptly and in full view of the public. The closure came months after President Emmanuel Macron unveiled the 'Louvre New Renaissance,' a €700-800 million, decade-long plan to address the same issues the staff are highlighting today. The blueprint promises a dedicated room for the Mona Lisa with timed-entry tickets, a new Seine-side entrance by 2031 to ease pyramid congestion, and infrastructure upgrades to combat leaks and temperature fluctuations. Funding will come from ticket revenue, private donations, state contributions, and licensing fees from the Louvre's Abu Dhabi outpost, with non-EU ticket prices set to rise later this year. Yet for workers, Macron's vision feels like a distant mirage. 'We can't wait six years for help,' Sarah Sefian of CGT-Culture told France 24. 'Our teams are under pressure now. It's not just about the art—it's about the people protecting it.' Sefian criticised Macron's 'hypocrisy,' noting that while he touts grand plans, the Louvre's state operating subsidies have dropped by over 20 percent in the past decade, even as visitor numbers soared. 'We take it very badly that Monsieur Le President makes his speeches here in our museum,' she said, 'but when you scratch the surface, the financial investment of the state is getting worse with each passing year.' The Louvre's plight mirrors a broader reckoning with overtourism. From Venice's crowd caps to the Acropolis's timed entries, iconic sites are grappling with their own popularity. Just a day before the strike, southern Europe saw coordinated anti-tourism protests. In Mallorca, Venice, Lisbon, and beyond, thousands rallied against an economic model that displaces locals and erodes urban life. In Barcelona, activists wielded water pistols to cool down runaway tourism. As the strike unfolded, some workers considered opening a limited 'masterpiece route' for a few hours, granting access to highlights like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The museum, closed as usual on Tuesday, may fully reopen Wednesday, with some Monday ticket-holders potentially allowed to reuse their passes. But the Louvre's deeper crisis – its limbo between underfunding and dysfunction – remains unresolved. Unlike Paris's Notre Dame or Centre Pompidou, both buoyed by state-backed restorations, the Louvre awaits its renaissance, a monument to art and ambition buckling under the weight of the world's gaze.
France 24
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
Overwhelmed Louvre workers strike to protest overtourism, shutting down world's most-visited museum
The Louvre, the world's most-visited museum, remained shuttered most of Monday when staff went on strike in frustration with what they called unmanageable crowds at an institution crumbling from within. 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.' 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. France: The Louvre struggles with mass tourism 02:12 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.' At the centre 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 États, 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. No, the Mona Lisa isn't being 'sold' to finance the Louvre renovations 06:02 But Louvre workers call Macron hypocritical and say the €700-800 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 percent 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. 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. A 'deplorable state of disrepair': Employees and visitors comment on the Louvre 02:14 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 10:30am 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.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
World's most visited museum shuts down, sounding the alarm on overtourism
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. Live Events 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.
Economic Times
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
World's most visited museum shuts down, sounding the alarm on overtourism
Live Events 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 workers say their needs are more urgent than any 10-year 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 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 then, France's greatest cultural treasure - and the millions who flock to see it - remain caught between the cracks.
The Independent
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Amid fears of overcrowding, the Louvre shuts its doors
The Louvre Museum in Paris was unable to open on time on Monday due to a staff protest over working conditions, leaving thousands of visitors waiting outside. Union representative Sarah Sefian of the CGT-Culture stated the disruption was due to a spontaneous movement among front-of-house staff protesting deteriorating labour conditions, including overcrowding and understaffing. The protest began as a scheduled monthly information session that turned into a mass expression of exasperation, with staff deciding to stay together until management arrived for talks. As of midday, the museum remained closed, with lines of ticket-holders snaking past the glass pyramid. Louvre President Laurence des Cars earlier warned about overcrowding and insufficient facilities at the museum and has imposed a limit of 30,000 visitors per day.
