End of the strike at the Louvre: The Paris museum reopens to visitors

On December 15, 2025, employees of the Louvre Museum voted unanimously to strike indefinitely. As a result, the museum remained closed on that Monday and only partially reopened in the days that followed. However, on December 19, 2025, these same workers decided to end the strike and reopen the museum to the public.

CGT and CFDT representatives have announced to AFP that they intend to take a step forward in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and the Louvre management to help move negotiations along. The museum is reopening to visitors, but discussions are still ongoing.

The ministry made several assurances, including a commitment not to cut the public funding allocated to the museum. However, "We want to keep the pressure on because we believe their remuneration levels are below what we're demanding," explains CGT representative Christian Galani.

Strike unfolds amid reports of vandalism

Following a sweeping break-in, the closure of the Campana Gallery due to structural issues, and recent water leaks that damaged several valuable Egyptian artifacts, union representatives have decided to make their voices heard loud and clear.

The CGT, CFDT, and SUD Culture Solidaires have submitted their strike notices to the Ministry of Culture. According to information from AFP and Le Monde, the unions aim to put pressure on the management of the Paris museum to make their demands heard and push for the necessary changes.

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Employees are particularly concerned about the dilapidated condition of the buildings, staffing shortages, and technical failures... Meanwhile, staff are overwhelmed by increasing workloads, facing increasingly harsh HR management, and conflicting directives that prevent a stable and efficient public service environment.

Indeed, multiple reports support the unions' claims. The Court of Auditors specifically criticized the Museum of Louvre for significant security vulnerabilities both within the building and concerning its artworks, as well as for its insufficient investment in maintenance and renovation work.

The Parisian museum is now open to the public during regular hours. However, depending on how negotiations unfold, it may need to close again in the coming days. Visitors are advised to check the museum’s website before planning their visit.