Louvre Museum Faces Strike Threat as Unions Warn of Closures
15st Dec. 2025
Trade unions at the Louvre Museum in Paris have called a strike from Monday. As a result, the world’s most-visited museum could face partial or full closures at a peak time of the year. The decision came amid growing concerns over security failures, failing infrastructure, staff shortages, and a contentious increase in ticket prices for many non-EU visitors.
The strike will be backed by all three unions that represent Louvre staff. In addition to the strike, it could disrupt access to the museum, which welcomed 8.7 million visitors last year. While negotiations remain possible, union leaders say years of under investment have left them with no choice but to go on strike.
Failed Security and Staff Shortage are the main concerns: Unions
The trade unions CGT, Sud, and CFDT highlighted that the planned walkout shows how angry workers are following a string of bad events. Most notably, the museum is still reeling from a high-profile jewel heist on 19 October, when four thieves stole an estimated €88m (£77m) worth of French crown jewels in just seven minutes before escaping on scooters. Since then, further problems have emerged.
Furthermore, in November, a water leak damaged hundreds of books and documents in the Egyptian department. Shortly afterwards, a gallery that has ancient Greek ceramics was closed over concerns about ceiling safety which results in an increase in restrictions to view exhibits. “Staff feel today like they are the last bastion before collapse,” the unions said in a joint statement. Meanwhile, Christian Galani, a CGT union official, said workers were “so exasperated; this is the only way left to make ourselves heard”.
He further stated, “Problems have accumulated for years, and the robbery has brought it all to light”. “There has been neglect of both building renovation and security measures to protect the collection”, he emphasized. Importantly, unions point to staffing cuts as a core issue. Since 2015, around 200 jobs have been lost, many of them in security. Consequently, employees say they struggle to ensure visitor safety while also protecting priceless artworks.
High Ticket price for certain nationalities sparks discrimination debate
Alongside safety concerns, unions have criticized plans to increase ticket prices by 45% for visitors from outside the European Economic Area. From January, tourists from countries including the US, UK, and China will pay €32 to enter the museum. “We see this as an unacceptable discrimination,” Galani said. “Worst still, these visitors would have to pay more to see a dilapidated museum where they can’t get access to the whole collection due to lack of staff and closed rooms.” He added that making certain nationalities “pay for years of accumulated failings” went against “the universality of culture and the idea of equal access”.
At the same time, official scrutiny has also intensified. France’s state auditor recently said security upgrades progressed at a “woefully inadequate pace”. In addition, a government-ordered investigation found “a chronic underestimation” of break-in risks, according to culture minister Rachida Dati.
Looking ahead, Philippe Jost, who oversaw the Notre-Dame restoration, will conduct a study into a “deep reorganization” of the Louvre. While President Emmanuel Macron has also announced plans for a new entrance and a dedicated room for the Mona Lisa, to ease overcrowding and modernizing the historic palace.
Web Resources on the Strike Threat on Louvre Museum
1. TheGuardian.com: Louvre museum in Paris faces closure
2. BBC.com: Water leak in Louvre damages hundreds of books
3. CNN.com: Louvre museum to hike entrance fee by 45% for non-European visitors