• Louvre Museum closed as staff strike over working conditions and staffing issues.
• 400 employees voted unanimously to protest after a recent jewel heist.
• Strike highlights ongoing challenges of overcrowding and management neglect.
• Management faces pressure for renovations and improved visitor experiences.
• Tourists express disappointment as museum remains closed during peak holiday season.

The Louvre Museum in Paris has closed its doors as staff initiated a strike on Monday, December 15, demanding better working conditions and adequate staffing. This action comes on the heels of a jewel heist that occurred in October, which exposed significant security shortcomings within the institution. Employees gathered outside the iconic glass pyramid to voice their grievances, effectively blocking entrances and turning away thousands of visitors eager to experience the world’s most-visited museum, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

The strike, supported by unions CGT and CFDT, gained momentum as around 400 employees participated in a general meeting where they unanimously voted to strike. Staff argued that overcrowding has made visiting the museum a challenging experience, with issues including long queues and inadequate facilities, emphasized by the need for additional personnel to manage crowds properly. Striking workers communicated their frustrations, asserting, "We are angry" and calling for changes to how the museum is run, according to Channel News Asia and Los Angeles Times.

This unrest highlights the broader discontent among the staff, with many feeling overwhelmed as visitor numbers rise while their numbers remain stagnant. Recent incidents, including a damaging water leak that affected valuable antiquities and showcased the need for urgent infrastructure improvements, have further aggravated the situation. Many employees express dissatisfaction with museum management’s negligence regarding these deteriorating conditions, as the Louvre struggles to cope with what stakeholders term "over-tourism," according to Anadolu Agency and Los Angeles Times.

The Louvre's leadership has faced scrutiny following the brazen heist on October 19, wherein thieves made off with crown jewels valued at approximately $102 million. The ease with which the theft occurred has raised serious questions about security practices, revealing inadequacies such as malfunctioning cameras and insufficient staffing in control rooms during critical moments. Union representatives have drawn attention to these alarming security flaws, urging for immediate enhancements to both staffing and equipment, as reported by Reuters, Channel News Asia, and Anadolu Agency.