The Louvre’s staff voted to extend a strike that has disrupted museum operations while a limited “masterpiece route” including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo was allowed to reopen. Unions cite chronic understaffing, deteriorating infrastructure and contested management decisions—concerns intensified after an October crown-jewels heist exposed security failures. The Culture Ministry proposed canceling a planned $6.7 million 2026 funding cut, new hiring and pay increases, but unions say the measures are insufficient. Louvre President Laurence des Cars is due to testify before the Senate as scrutiny of delayed security reforms continues.
Louvre Staff Extend Strike as Museum Reopens a Limited 'Masterpiece Route'
Unionists demonstrate at the entrance of the Louvre museum after employees have voted to extend a strike that has disrupted operations at the world's most visited museum, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Employees at the Louvre voted to extend a strike that has disrupted operations at the world’s most-visited museum, even as the institution partially reopened Wednesday to let visitors see a limited selection of highlights.
The museum said a reduced “masterpiece route” remained open, allowing access to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. On social media the Louvre warned:
“Due to a strike, some rooms in the Louvre Museum are ... closed. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
Unionists display a banner and union flags outside the Louvre museum after employees have voted to extend a strike that has disrupted operations at the world's most visited museum, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Why Workers Are Striking
Union members say the walkout protests chronic understaffing, deteriorating infrastructure and recent management decisions. Those grievances intensified after an October crown-jewels heist that exposed significant security lapses at the museum.
Negotiations and Government Response
Culture Ministry officials held crisis talks with union representatives and proposed several measures, including cancelling a planned $6.7 million funding cut for 2026, launching new recruitment for gallery guards and visitor services, and increasing staff pay. Union leaders said the proposals fell short of their demands.
Unionists display a banner and union flags outside the Louvre museum after employees have voted to extend a strike that has disrupted operations at the world's most visited museum, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The decision to extend the strike was taken during a morning general assembly; staff had voted unanimously earlier in the week. The Louvre was closed Tuesday for its regular weekly day off.
Leadership Under Scrutiny
Louvre President Laurence des Cars was scheduled to appear before the Senate culture committee as lawmakers probe the museum’s security failures. Des Cars has acknowledged an “institutional failure” after the robbery and faced criticism for saying she only learned of a critical 2019 security audit after the theft.
Unionists display a banner and union flags outside the Louvre museum after employees have voted to extend a strike that has disrupted operations at the world's most visited museum, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
France’s Court of Auditors and a separate administrative inquiry have criticized delays in implementing a long-promised security overhaul. Last month, the Culture Ministry announced emergency anti-intrusion measures and appointed Philippe Jost — who oversaw the Notre-Dame restoration — to help reorganize the museum, a move widely seen as mounting pressure on Louvre leadership.
The situation remains fluid as unions press for more concrete commitments and visitors navigate the museum’s reduced route.
