Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Louvre Closes After Staff Vote Unanimous Rolling Strike

The walkout follows an October jewel theft that exposed security failures, triggering a government reorganization mission.

Overview

  • About 400 employees voted unanimously Monday to launch a reconductible strike at a morning general assembly.
  • The museum confirmed a full‑day closure with automatic refunds for dated tickets, with further disruption likely at a new staff meeting on Wednesday after Tuesday’s regular closure.
  • Unions cite understaffing and worsening conditions that have degraded visitor reception, and call for tighter ministerial oversight plus priority for security and essential renovations.
  • Culture Minister Rachida Dati has pledged to reverse a planned €5.7 million cut to the Louvre’s 2026 subsidy and appointed senior official Philippe Jost to lead a January–February reorganization with first recommendations due late February 2026.
  • Senate culture committee hearings are scheduled this week, with former president Jean‑Luc Martinez on Tuesday and current chief Laurence des Cars on Wednesday to address management lapses and past audits.