Thousands of tourists stranded as Louvre Museum closes

The Louvre Museum in Paris (France) - the world's leading cultural destination with more than 8.7 million visitors in 2024 - was forced to temporarily close on June 16 after employees went on strike to protest overcrowding, lack of staff and deteriorating working conditions.

Thousands of tourists were stranded at the entrance, with no clear announcement or explanation from the management.

The museum staff strike broke out during a routine internal meeting, when gallery attendants, ticket agents and security staff refused to take on duties in protest at overcrowding, severe staff shortages and working conditions that were deemed “unacceptable.”

Staff say the problem is the 16th-century Mona Lisa, which attracts about 20,000 people a day to the Salle des États—the museum’s largest space—just to take pictures. People jostle and push, creating a noisy scene, and many barely notice the surrounding masterpieces.

In addition to overcrowding, the museum’s infrastructure was also found to be in serious disrepair. An internal report said many areas were “no longer waterproof,” temperature fluctuations were affecting the exhibits, and basic facilities such as toilets, rest areas, and signage were not up to international standards.

Just a few months ago, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a 10-year “Louvre Renaissance” plan to completely renovate the museum. The Mona Lisa will have its own gallery and a timed entry system. A new entrance on the banks of the Seine is also scheduled to open in 2031 to relieve pressure on the pyramid area.

The renovation cost is estimated at 700-800 million euros ($730-834 million), expected to be funded by ticket revenue, private funding, the state budget, etc. Ticket prices for non-EU visitors will also increase this year. However, staff say the plan is too far-fetched compared to the current situation.

The Louvre has been closed for war, pandemics and strikes in the past, most recently in 2019 due to overcrowding. However, this sudden closure without prior notice is rare for the world's most iconic museum. It is expected to reopen on June 18.

The Louvre’s temporary closure comes amid a wave of protests against overtourism spreading across southern Europe. The day before, thousands of people took to the streets in Mallorca and Barcelona, both in Spain, Venice in Italy and Lisbon in Portugal, protesting against a tourism model that they say is eroding local life and pushing people out of the city.

VNA

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hang-nghin-du-khach-mac-ket-do-bao-tang-louvre-dong-cua-post887548.html