Staff at the Louvre Museum in Paris carried out a lightening strike on Monday, stunning thousands of visitors wanting to visit the world famous art gallery. The museum was forced to close its doors after staff refused to continue working in what they called “untenable” conditions.
The gallery’s employees complained about poor working conditions, being understaffed and overcrowding. The walk out followed a monthly union staff meeting, involving gallery attendants, security guards, and ticket agents.
During the summer, the museum can get extremely busy and very hot due to the greenhouse effect of the glass pyramid – the museum’s signature architectural design.
Moreover, staff have repeatedly complained about poor ventilation, and a lack of bathroom facilities.
Visitors were left stranded and confused following the abrupt decision to walk out by personnel.
The museum gets on average 30,000 visitors a day, and around nine million per year – more than double what was originally estimated.
The Louvre is home to Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece the Mona Lisa, but the painting is almost impossible to view because pf the large crowds.
It is estimated that some 20,000 people a day visit the iconic painting, jostling each other for the best view point.
France’s President Macron had promised staff better working conditions and new investment into the museum to help control the crowds.
In January, he announced approximately €800million plan to update the art gallery’s infrastructure.
Part of the plan involves moving the Mona Lisa to her own room with timed ticket entry.
However, unions pointed out it will take until 2031 to complete the project, a long six years during which there will be no relief for the Louvre’s beleaguered employees.
Many tourists have complained about conditions inside the Louvre in reviews on Tripadvisor.
One unhappy American visitor wrote: “Way too many people inside tripping over each other. Seeing important exhibits like the Mona Lisa is almost impossible because your establishment allows few people to camp in front of exhibits to take pictures and stand there waiting like they expecting the painting to make a move.
“Most ridiculous stampede while your employees are more interested if someone used a flash on a photograph. Rudest people ever. Prices of water at 5euros on a 50 cent bottle. Forget food. Those were ridiculous prices.”