Major Paris Museums to Close Amid Protest Concerns

PARIS – The Louvre and several prominent museums in the city will close on Saturday due to worries about potential violence during anticipated protests, according to the French culture ministry.

The ministry confirmed to The Associated Press that both the Orsay and Picasso museums will be included in the closures.

Last Saturday’s protests turned chaotic, with rioters engaging in destructive behavior—setting fires, vandalizing storefronts, and clashing with police. The ministry urged all institutions under its jurisdiction to take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of visitors, protect staff, and preserve artworks.

Others are following suit. After a couple of days with restricted access, Art Basel Paris opened its doors to the public on Friday, but only for that day, canceling the weekend activities due to concerns over unrest.

The Grand Palais is showcasing 211 international galleries for Art Basel, recognized as one of the premier contemporary art fairs globally.

Artist Drake Carr, whose work is being exhibited at Mariposa Gallery, described it as “kind of like the art Olympics” in a recent interview.

However, the timing couldn’t be worse as Paris faces significant social unease. The recent clashes and widespread looting reflected some of the most violent unrest in the country in years.

On Thursday afternoon, a protest in Paris was peaceful, coinciding with Art Basel’s announcement to close for the weekend. The expected protest on Saturday is anticipated to be much larger.

“We did not make this decision lightly, and ensuring the safety of everyone involved in the fair is our top priority,” the organizers stated. They also mentioned on their website that weekend ticketholders would be notified.

Saloni Doshi, an art collector visiting from India for the fair, expressed concern after witnessing scenes of chaos last Saturday, with calls from friends about safety in Paris. She supported the decision to close.

“It’s unfortunate that it comes to this, but state activities and the people’s freedom must go on,” she remarked. “I can’t see how a group of elite, privileged individuals being put out should have a say.”

Gallery owners Antoine Donzeaud and Elisa Rigoulet shared similar sentiments. “We find this decision reasonable and in line with the urgent social issues unfolding in France,” they communicated in a text message.