Louvre Shut, Curfews Imposed as France Battles Protest Fury

The Louvre Museum in Paris has closed after protesters blocked its entrances, as demonstrations over the cost of living and police actions continue to disrupt France. The world’s most visited museum, which houses Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, announced the closure on Monday, saying the disruption was caused by student strikes.

Protesters block the entrance of the Louvre museum.

“Dear visitors, due to student strikes, the museum is currently closed. We apologize for the inconvenience,” the Louvre said in a post on X. It did not provide a reopening time.

Visitors arriving on Monday morning found the museum’s iconic glass pyramid entrance, along with the Carrousel du Louvre and Passage Richelieu entrances, blocked by protesters from the École du Louvre, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The blockade was organised in solidarity with wider protests over rising living costs and recent police actions, French media reported. The disruption forced the museum to turn visitors away at a site that can attract up to 20,000 people on its busiest days.

A person holds a French national flag during a protest in Paris.

The closure comes after a weekend of violent demonstrations across France, with hundreds of businesses reportedly damaged and nearly 2,400 people arrested, according to reports cited by The Associated Press (AP).

The unrest has prompted authorities to introduce localised curfews and restrictions on public gatherings in several cities.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has asked some cities to impose “partial curfews” to protect residents, property and businesses. In Paris, curfews were announced for Place de la République from 23:00 on Monday until 06:00 on Tuesday, and for streets around Les Halles from 22:00 until 06:00, according to BFMTV.

In Lyon, gatherings on public roads were prohibited between 18:00 and 21:00 on Monday, followed by curfews in parts of the city until Tuesday morning. In Marseille, authorities banned gatherings and demonstrations from midday until 20:00.

Restrictions on minors were also announced in parts of Nice and several towns in the Nord department, including Lille, Douai, Wattignies and Denain.

The measures follow a weekend of clashes that have intensified concerns about public order and the economic impact of the demonstrations.

The unrest has disrupted visits to some of Paris’s best-known attractions, with the Eiffel Tower and central shopping districts also affected by demonstrations and heightened security measures, AP reported.

The Eiffel Tower recently closed for a day after staff staged a strike over restrictions imposed on female employees during a private delegation’s visit, according to reports.

Outside Paris, the Palace of Versailles has also experienced a temporary closure this month. Its interior was shut to visitors on 6 October following a power outage in the surrounding area, China’s Xinhua News Agency reported.

France’s cultural institutions have faced disruption from strikes in the past. In September 2025, the Musée d’Orsay and the Arc de Triomphe were among sites affected by temporary closures linked to staff shortages amid protests over proposed government spending cuts, according to Artforum.

Rounak is a journalist with over 7 years of experience covering geopolitic… Rounak is a journalist with over 7 years of experience covering geopolitical and international affairs. He has a keen interest in research and explainers and loves to travel whenever he is not writing. Over the years, he has covered important national and international events, including the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections in India, the 2024 US elections, and done a host of interviews covering multiple areas. View MoreView Less