Strike by Louvre workers continues for third consecutive day.

December 21, 2025
libyawire
Culture
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Staff at the French Louvre Museum are continuing their strike for a third day on Thursday, protesting working conditions, which has forced the historic institution to open only a portion of its galleries, according to consistent sources.

A meeting was held at the Ministry of Culture with representatives of the employees in an attempt to find a solution to this dispute, which forced the museum to close its doors on Monday, according to sources.

During a general assembly held on Thursday morning, staff voted to continue their strike in protest of a series of problems, most notably staff shortages, visitor reception conditions, and the dilapidated state of the building.

Faced with the strike, the Ministry of Culture pledged to reverse a decision to cut public funds granted to the Louvre by 5.7 million euros and to hire more staff. However, the unions considered these measures insufficient.

On Thursday, after a delay of several hours due to the strike, the museum partially opened its doors, as was the case on Wednesday.

– Louvre Museum opens its doors “partially” as staff insist on continuing strike

– Closure of the Louvre Museum in Paris due to strike

The Louvre welcomes millions of visitors. In 2024, it received 8.7 million visitors, 69% of whom were non-French.

The strike coincides with the approaching Christmas holidays and comes two months after the shocking theft that occurred at the museum on October 19.

Hearings on the circumstances of the theft
On that day, 19th-century jewelry worth 88 million euros was stolen from the museum.

The Senate is holding hearings this week on the circumstances of the theft, after reviewing the investigation conducted on the matter.

Preliminary conclusions of the administrative investigation point to a “chronic underestimation” of the risks of intrusion and theft on the part of the museum’s management.

In November, one section of the museum was closed due to the deteriorating condition of the building.

On the 26th of that month, a water leak caused damage to hundreds of items in the Ancient Egyptian Library.

Alongside the union demands, the museum must complete a rapid reorganization process.

Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum in Paris is one of the world’s largest and most visited art museums, housed in a historic palace that dates back to the late 12th century as a fortress. Its collection spans from antiquity to the mid-19th century and includes iconic works such as the *Mona Lisa* and the *Venus de Milo*.

Ministry of Culture

The Ministry of Culture is a governmental department responsible for national policies concerning the arts, heritage, and cultural promotion. Its establishment and specific history vary by country, but such ministries are typically modern creations of the 20th century, formed to formally oversee and fund cultural institutions, preserve historical sites, and shape cultural identity.

Paris

Paris is the capital of France, historically founded as the Roman town of Lutetia in the 3rd century BC. It is globally renowned as a center for art, fashion, and culture, home to iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Ancient Egyptian Library

The concept of an “Ancient Egyptian Library” most commonly refers to the Royal Library of Alexandria in Egypt, founded in the 3rd century BCE. It was one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world, aiming to collect all known knowledge and serving as a major center of scholarship. Its destruction over several centuries led to the incalculable loss of countless historical and literary works.

Senate

The Senate is the upper house of the United States Congress, established by the Constitution in 1789. It provides equal representation with two senators from each state, a structure designed to balance the interests of both large and small states within the federal government.