Louvre closes as staff protest overtourism

The Louvre in Paris, the world’s most visited museum and home to the Mona Lisa, closed its doors on Monday after workers launched a spontaneous strike.

The protest underscores rising concerns over global overtourism and left thousands of ticket-holding visitors waiting outside.

Louvre workers cited overwhelming crowds, dire understaffing, and “untenable” working conditions, according to a union. 

The museum drew 8.7 million visitors in 2024, with around 20,000 people visiting the Mona Lisa’s room daily.

A few months back, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a “Louvre New Renaissance” renovation plan, costing between $730 million and $834 million, promising a new entrance by 2031 and a solo room for the Mona Lisa.

However, museum workers are frustrated with the timeline and need solutions now.