Louvre workers to vote on extending strike as security checks intensify

Employee But Louvre Museum A vote was due to be held on Wednesday morning on whether to go ahead with the strike that has closed the world’s most visited museum, as unions protest persistent staff shortages, deterioration in the building and recent management decisions; The pressure was further increased by a brazen crown jewel robbery in October.

Workers were expected to gather at a general meeting to decide whether to continue the walkout, which was adopted unanimously earlier this week. The museum was closed on Tuesday as part of its regular weekly closure.

Unions say frustrations have been compounded by staff shortages, aging infrastructure and a planned increase in ticket prices for non-European visitors.

Tensions have been further heightened by the theft of the crown jewels during a daylight robbery, exposing serious security lapses at the museum.

Culture Ministry officials held crisis talks with unions on Monday and proposed canceling a planned $6.7 million cut in 2026 funding, opening new hiring for gallery guards and visitor services and increasing staff compensation. Union officials said the measures fell short.

Labor vote expected hours earlier louvre chairman Laurence des Cars is scheduled to appear before the Senate Culture Committee at 4:30 p.m., as lawmakers continue an investigation into security failings at the museum.

Des Cars has acknowledged “institutional failure” following the robbery, but has come under renewed scrutiny after admitting she only became aware of a critical 2019 security audit after the robbery. France’s Court of Auditors and a separate administrative investigation have criticized long delays in implementing long-promised security reforms.

The Culture Ministry announced emergency anti-infiltration measures last month and appointed Philippe Jost, who oversaw the Notre Dame restoration, to help reorganize the museum. The move was widely seen as a sign of increasing pressure on the Louvre leadership.

The museum’s reopening will now depend on the outcome of Wednesday’s vote.