1 / 7
The Louvre, renowned as the most-visited museum globally and an emblem of art and culture, has braved wars and pandemics. Yet, on Monday (June 16), it was forced into silence by striking employees who argue that the museum is overwhelmed by mass tourism. (Photo: AP)
2 / 7
It was a shocking scenario: a museum housing masterpieces by greats like Leonardo da Vinci paralyzed by the very personnel meant to guide visitors. Thousands of bewildered patrons, tickets ready, stood in stagnant lines near the iconic glass pyramid by I.M. Pei. (AP Photo)
3 / 7
The Louvre epitomizes the tourism crisis. As hotspots like Venice and the Acropolis struggle with visitor numbers, this iconic institution, frequented by millions, faces its own breaking point. Just a day prior, protests against rampant tourism erupted across southern Europe, with demonstrators in Mallorca, Venice, and Lisbon decrying a model that they believe undermines local life. In Barcelona, activists whimsically sprayed tourists with water pistols in a bid to ‘cool down’ tourism. (AP Photo)
4 / 7
The unexpected strike arose from a standard internal meeting, as staff members including gallery attendants, ticket agents, and security refused to fulfill their duties in protest against overwhelming crowds, chronic understaffing, and conditions deemed ‘untenable’ by one union. (Photo: AP)
5 / 7
The Louvre seldom closes its doors, typically only during wartime, pandemics, or a few strikes — including unplanned walkouts over overcrowding in 2019 and safety concerns in 2013. However, this situation unfolded abruptly, without warning, amidst gathered crowds. (AP Photo)
6 / 7
The disruption strikes just months after President Emmanuel Macron presented an expansive ten-year initiative aimed at addressing the very issues currently surfacing — including leaks, hazardous temperature fluctuations, aging infrastructure, and visitor numbers exceeding the museum’s capacity. (Photo: Reuters)
7 / 7
Last year, the Louvre attracted 8.7 million visitors — over double its intended capacity. Even with a daily limit of 30,000, employees describe the experience as a relentless challenge, with insufficient rest areas, limited restroom facilities, and the summer heat intensified by the pyramid’s greenhouse effect. (Photo: Reuters)
