Tourists in Paris have been told to ‘think again’ about visiting one of the French capital’s most popular destinations. The Louve temporarily shut down on Monday (16 June) after workers refused to take up their posts in frustration with what they described as “untenable” working conditions and chronic overtourism.
The Louvre, the world’s most popular museums, remained shuttered most of Monday when staff went on strike, frustrated at the large crowds of tourists and visitors.
While the museum has now reopened, staff are threatening more strikes, meaning tourists’ plans may change at the last minute if they choose to go through with their visit.
At the scene was Parisian tourguide Olivia, who shared a clip of the large crowds at the museum on her TikTok page. Visitors didn’t seem to know what to do other than wait outside the doors for the museum to finally open.
She wrote on the video: “When the Louvre staff decide they’ve had enough and call a strike, leaving thousands stranded outside.”
Olivia then added to the caption of the video: “Going to the louvre today? Think again! Louvre staff complain of untenable conditions and over tourism, calling an unplanned strike during their Monday morning briefing today June 16 2025.”
Tourist Dillon was also at the Louvre when it shut and shared a video of her experience, writing: “No one told me sometimes the Louvre just doesn’t open.”
In the caption, she revealed she’d waited to get inside from 9am, but that it was believed that the museum would reopen at around 2pm the same day. She later said in a comment: “They finally opened around 2:30[pm] today apparently. We left the line after waiting for 2 1/2 hrs.”
The spontaneous strike erupted during a routine staff meeting, as gallery attendants, ticket agents and security personnel refused to take up their posts in protest over unmanageable crowds, chronic understaffing and what one union called “untenable” working conditions.
The Independent reported that union representative Sarah Sefian of the CGT-Culture revealed the disruption was due to a spontaneous movement among front-of-house staff, including gallery attendants, reception, and security workers.
She went on to explain that workers are protesting what they claim are deteriorating labour conditions, after a staff meeting turned into ‘a mass expression of exasperation’.
The museum welcomed 8.7million people in 2024. More than three quarters (77%) had come from outside France.
Taking to the comment section of the videos, several people went on to share alternative places for tourists to go to avoid the crowds.
One person commented: “So overrated! Go to the Musey d’ Orsey instead!”
“They really do over book. Was there last month and it was chaos. I’d be upset too if I had to deal with the tourist masses,” another person said.
Meanwhile someone else shared: “I’m questioning the sanity of anyone who would willingly participate in this, like why are you standing there?”
The Louvre has been contacted for comment.