A spontaneous strike by employees at the Louvre
Museum in Paris has temporarily shut down the historic building, forcing
international tourists with tickets away and highlighting the impact of
overtourism.
According to The
Associated Press, gallery attendants, ticket agents, and security personnel
spoke out against “unmanageable crowds, chronic understaffing and what one
union called untenable working conditions during an internal meeting.
As a result, the Louvre employees refused to work, forcing
the national art museum to close for the day. Travelers who arrived at the
French city were left in long lines outside, waiting for an explanation about
why the attraction was closed.
Officials have implemented a daily cap of 30,000 visitors,
but 8.7 million visitors total last year is over twice what the building was
designed to welcome. Louvre President Laurence des Cars said in a leaked memo
obtained by The AP that the museum has water leakage issues, temperature
fluctuations problems, and substandard guest amenities.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently announced a
massive plan to revamp the Louvre Museum over the next decade, but employees said
that action needs to be taken immediately.
“We can’t wait six years for help,” CGT-Culture union representative
Sarah Sefian told The AP. “Our teams are under pressure now. It’s not just
about the art — it’s about the people protecting it.”
“What began as a scheduled monthly information session
turned into a mass expression of exasperation,” Sefian continued.
One of the most significant issues can be found in the Salle
des États, the room housing the Mona Lisa. Around 20,000 people come through
the room daily, causing dense crowds, hot temperatures, and a lackluster guest
experience.
President Macron’s new plan would include a room dedicated
to the Mona Lisa with separate timed tickets. The “Louvre New Renaissance” also
provides for installing a new entrance near the Seine River by 2031.
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