The Louvre partially reopened on Wednesday as workers extended a strike triggered by deteriorating working conditions following October&rsquo;s high-profile jewel heist. While the museum confirmed it was open to visitors, several galleries remained inaccessible due to ongoing industrial action.
&ldquo;The museum is open, but some areas are not accessible due to the industrial action,&rdquo; a spokesperson said, a message echoed on the Louvre&rsquo;s official social media handles. Hundreds of tourists were seen waiting outside the iconic Paris landmark as opening was delayed while unions voted on whether to continue the strike.
The walkout began earlier this week, forcing the museum to shut its doors on Monday, leaving thousands of visitors disappointed. Staff representatives argue that long-standing warnings about staff shortages and infrastructure neglect were ignored, even as priceless works like the Mona Lisa remain housed at the site.
Union leaders have rejected proposals from the Culture Ministry, including a rollback of planned staff cuts in 2026, calling them insufficient. Louvre director Laurence des Cars, facing mounting criticism after jewels worth &euro;88 million were stolen in the daylight robbery, is scheduled to address France&rsquo;s Senate, as the government rolls out emergency security measures and administrative reforms at the world&rsquo;s most visited museum.

Parts of Paris museum stay shut as workers protest after October heist

Louvre Reopens Amid Strike Fallout

Parts of Paris museum stay shut as workers protest after October heist

December 17, 2025 | 19:02 IST