Louvre Staff Extend Strike Amid Security Failures and Staff Shortages

Paris: Employees of the Louvre Museum have voted to extend their strike, further disrupting operations at the world’s most visited museum. The decision was taken at a general assembly on Wednesday, days after workers unanimously launched the walkout to protest chronic understaffing, deteriorating infrastructure, and a series of management decisions that unions say have weakened safety and working conditions.

The museum remained closed on Tuesday due to its regular weekly shutdown. On Wednesday, it was unclear whether the strike would force a full closure. Visitors holding tickets were seen waiting outside as authorities assessed whether sufficient staff were available to safely open the galleries.

Staff anger has intensified since an October daylight robbery in which crown jewels were stolen from the museum, exposing serious security lapses. The incident has become a flashpoint for workers, who argue that years of neglect and underinvestment have left the institution vulnerable.

In response to the growing crisis, officials from France’s Culture Ministry held talks with union representatives on Monday. The ministry proposed cancelling a planned 6.7 million US dollar cut to the Louvre’s 2026 budget, opening new recruitment for gallery guards and visitor services, and increasing staff compensation. Union leaders, however, said the measures did not adequately address the depth of the problems facing the museum.

Louvre President Laurence des Cars was scheduled to appear before the Senate’s culture committee later on Wednesday, as lawmakers continue to probe the security failures. Although she acknowledged an “institutional failure” following the heist, scrutiny has intensified after she disclosed that she learned of a crucial 2019 security audit only after the robbery took place. France’s Court of Auditors and a separate administrative inquiry have since criticised delays in implementing a long-promised security overhaul.

Last month, the Culture Ministry announced emergency anti-intrusion measures and appointed Philippe Jost, who led the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral, to assist in reorganising the museum. The move has been widely seen as reflecting mounting pressure on Louvre leadership as concerns over security, staffing, and governance continue to grow.