Latest news with #SarahSefian
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.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Union protest forces the Louvre in Paris to delay opening as visitors wait in long line-ups
PARIS (AP) — The Louvre Museum failed to open on time Monday, leaving thousands of visitors stuck in long, unmoving lines outside the iconic Paris institution as staff held a protest over working conditions. According to union representative Sarah Sefian of the CGT-Culture, the disruption was caused by a spontaneous movement among front-of-house staff, including gallery attendants, reception, and security workers, who are protesting deteriorating labor conditions. 'It's a movement led by reception agents who are suffering from the working conditions at the Louvre,' Sefian told The Associated Press. 'What began as a scheduled monthly information session turned into a mass expression of exasperation,' she said. 'Staff decided to stay together until management arrived.' Sefian said the agents gathered in the auditorium at 10:30 a.m. for talks with the museum's leadership. 'All roles related to visitor reception are affected,' she said. 'Overcrowding and understaffing are the main issues being raised.' As of midday, the museum remained closed, with lines snaking past I.M. Pei's famous glass pyramid and deep into the underground shopping complex. Some ticket-holders gave up and left, creating the illusion of movement in the queues. A message on the museum's official website stated: 'Due to strikes in France, the museum may open later and some exhibition rooms may remain closed. We thank you for your understanding.' Union officials say the museum may reopen Monday afternoon.
The Independent
13 hours ago
- The Independent
Iconic tourist destination closes unexpectedly, with thousands left waiting outside
The Louvre Museum in Paris was unable to open its doors on time on Monday, leaving thousands of visitors waiting outside as staff protested working conditions. Union representative Sarah Sefian of the CGT-Culture said the disruption was due to a spontaneous movement among front-of-house staff, including gallery attendants, reception, and security workers. They are protesting what they say are deteriorating labour conditions. "It's a movement led by reception agents who are suffering from the working conditions at the Louvre," Ms Sefian said. She added that "what began as a scheduled monthly information session turned into a mass expression of exasperation", and that "staff decided to stay together until management arrived". Ms Sefian said the agents gathered in the auditorium at 10.30am for talks with the museum's leadership. 'All roles related to visitor reception are affected," she said. "Overcrowding and understaffing are the main issues being raised." As of midday, the museum remained closed, with lines snaking past I.M. Pei's famous glass pyramid and deep into the underground shopping complex. Some ticket-holders gave up and left, creating the illusion of movement in the queues. A message on the museum's official website stated: "Due to strikes in France, the museum may open later and some exhibition rooms may remain closed. We thank you for your understanding." Union officials said the museum may reopen on Monday afternoon. The Louvre is one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations and the most-visited museum in the world. It welcomed 8.7 million people in 2024. More than three quarters (77 per cent) were from outside France. In January, Louvre President Laurence des Cars . A visit to the museum had become an ordeal, he said, with a lack of space for visitors to take a break, and insufficient food and sanitary facilities. He has imposed a limit of 30,000 visitors per day in order to avoid overcrowding.
Asharq Al-Awsat
13 hours ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lines Stretch Outside the Louvre in Paris as Opening Delayed for Undisclosed Emergency Meeting
The Louvre Museum failed to open on time Monday, leaving thousands of visitors stuck in long, unmoving lines outside the iconic Paris institution as staff held a protest over working conditions. According to union representative Sarah Sefian of the CGT-Culture, the disruption was caused by a spontaneous movement among front-of-house staff, including gallery attendants, reception, and security workers, who are protesting deteriorating labor conditions. 'It's a movement led by reception agents who are suffering from the working conditions at the Louvre,' Sefian told The Associated Press. 'What began as a scheduled monthly information session turned into a mass expression of exasperation,' she said. 'Staff decided to stay together until management arrived.' Sefian said the agents gathered in the auditorium at 10:30 a.m. for talks with the museum's leadership. 'All roles related to visitor reception are affected,' she said. 'Overcrowding and understaffing are the main issues being raised.' As of midday, the museum remained closed, with lines snaking past I.M. Pei's famous glass pyramid and deep into the underground shopping complex. Some ticket-holders gave up and left, creating the illusion of movement in the queues. A message on the museum's official website stated: 'Due to strikes in France, the museum may open later and some exhibition rooms may remain closed. We thank you for your understanding.'
Arab News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Lines stretch outside the Louvre in Paris as opening delayed for undisclosed emergency meeting
PARIS:The Louvre Museum failed to open on time Monday, leaving thousands of visitors stuck in long, unmoving lines outside the iconic Paris institution as staff held a protest over working conditions. According to union representative Sarah Sefian of the CGT-Culture, the disruption was caused by a spontaneous movement among front-of-house staff, including gallery attendants, reception, and security workers, who are protesting deteriorating labor conditions. 'It's a movement led by reception agents who are suffering from the working conditions at the Louvre,' Sefian told The Associated Press. 'What began as a scheduled monthly information session turned into a mass expression of exasperation,' she said. 'Staff decided to stay together until management arrived.' Sefian said the agents gathered in the auditorium at 10:30 a.m. for talks with the museum's leadership. 'All roles related to visitor reception are affected,' she said. 'Overcrowding and understaffing are the main issues being raised.' As of midday, the museum remained closed, with lines snaking past I.M. Pei's famous glass pyramid and deep into the underground shopping complex. Some ticket-holders gave up and left, creating the illusion of movement in the queues. A message on the museum's official website stated: 'Due to strikes in France, the museum may open later and some exhibition rooms may remain closed. We thank you for your understanding.' Union officials say the museum will reopen Monday afternoon.
