Louvre Closes Due to Overtourism Protests
The iconic Louvre Museum temporarily shut its doors to visitors on Monday, causing disappointment among tourists from across the globe. Kevin Ward, a visitor from Milwaukee, shared his frustration with the Associated Press, saying, “Thousands of people are waiting, there’s no communication or explanation.”
This closure, driven by growing concerns over overtourism, led museum staff to go on strike. As the situation escalated, some tourists were even sprayed with water guns by protesters—a rather unusual response, perhaps. “I think even she needs a break,” Ward added, referring to the beloved “Mona Lisa.”
The Louvre, famously the world’s most visited museum, hosted around 8.7 million visitors in 2024, a staggering number impacting both the experience and the employees. Central to this chaos is Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” situated in the museum’s vast Salle des États, which attracts about 20,000 visitors daily.
Visitors like Jihyun Park from Seoul described the overwhelming experience: “You can see the phone. You can see the elbow. You can feel the heat. And you are being pushed out.” Frustration seems common among those trying to catch a glimpse of the famous painting.
In response to these overcrowding issues, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to relocate some 16th-century paintings to alleviate congestion. The “Louvre New Renaissance” project aims to create a new entrance by the Seine River, as well as offer special tickets for the “Mona Lisa.” These updates were intended to improve the experience, as Macron promised that “the terms of display, description and presentation will be worthy of ‘Mona Lisa.’
Sarassephian, a gallery attendant at the Louvre, voiced concerns about the pressure on staff due to the high number of visitors. It’s a delicate balance, and he noted, “We think that Monsieur Le’s president will give his speech at our museum very badly, but when you hurt the surface, the national financial investments get worse with each year.” The complexities of managing such a popular attraction appear to be more challenging than ever.
