Louvre Museum Closes Again as Staff Vote to Extend Strike Over Ministry Disputes

The Louvre museum in Paris was closed on the morning of January 5, 2026, due to a renewed strike by its staff. Personnel representatives gathered for an assembly called by the unions CGT, CFDT, and SUD to decide on continuing the strike that initially took place from December 15 to 19, 2025. Following the morning meeting, employees voted to prolong the strike, intensifying their protest to urge more substantial negotiations with the Ministry of Culture.

This closure marks a repeat disruption to one of France’s key cultural landmarks amid unresolved labor tensions. The unions have denounced the Ministry of Culture’s responses as inadequate, describing them as "insufficient and below the realities of daily life." Their demands focus on governance reforms, creation of new jobs at the museum, and the scrapping of a planned differentiated pricing system set to begin in January 2026.

Conversations had taken place before the Christmas holidays, including talks with Culture Minister Rachida Dati, aimed at preventing interruptions during the festive season. Despite these efforts, staff dissatisfaction remains high, prompting this new vote to extend the strike.

The Louvre’s official website noted the closure was due to a "mouvement social," confirming strike action. The latest mobilization on January 5 is a clear attempt by employees to strengthen their position and compel the Ministry of Culture to address their concerns more effectively.

This ongoing labor dispute highlights growing unrest among cultural institution workers in France, reflecting broader challenges within public sector governance and worker rights. The situation remains fluid as unions await a more fulfilling governmental response to their key demands to avoid further disruption of access to the world’s most visited museum.