Louvre Closes Amid Paris Riots Over Cost of Living
Paris riots force Louvre to shut down as protests continue over rising costs and police actions.
2 min read
Violent riots have swept through Paris, leading to the unexpected closure of the world-renowned Louvre Museum. The iconic art institution, home to masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, was forced to shut its doors due to student-led protests, according to an official statement shared on X.
“Dear visitors, due to student strikes the museum is currently closed. We apologise for the inconvenience,” the Louvre posted in both French and English, citing a “student social movement” as the cause. No specific date was provided for the museum’s reopening.
🇫🇷 Chers visiteurs, en raison d’un mouvement social étudiant, le musée est fermé pour le moment. Nous vous prions de nous excuser de la gêne occasionnée.
Tourists who had planned to visit the Louvre on Monday were met with chaos as protesters blocked the museum’s entrances. Footage captured visitors shouting “you sons of b*tches” and waving middle fingers at the demonstrators, highlighting the tension between the public and the protestors.
Des touristes venus visiter le musée du Louvre insultent et font des doigts d’honneur aux étudiants qui bloquent le musée depuis ce matin.
By Monday morning, students from the École du Louvre had set up barricades at key entrances, including the iconic glass pyramid, the Carrousel du Louvre, and the Passage Richelieu. This action forced museum management to turn away visitors, as reported by Fox News. The protests, organized in solidarity with nationwide demonstrations, are driven by concerns over the rising cost of living and recent police actions.
The Louvre, which typically welcomes up to 20,000 visitors daily, is a cultural landmark that houses some of the world’s most famous artworks. The closure has disrupted plans for many, with the museum’s iconic collection now inaccessible to the public.
Rioters have also targeted other businesses, including major shopping districts in Paris, according to Fox News. Dozens of radical groups, including communist organizations and a Muslim student association, have supported the protests, with Palestinian flags prominently displayed.
Source: Daily Wire
