The Louvre Museum in Paris has partially reopened its doors to visitors on Wednesday amid an ongoing strike by museum staff protesting deteriorating working conditions following the high-profile jewel heist in October 2025.

According to museum management, some areas remain closed due to the industrial action, impacting access to key exhibitions, including world-renowned masterpieces like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Hundreds of tourists lined up outside the museum, unsure whether they would be able to enter, as the strike disrupted normal opening schedules.

“The museum is open, but some areas are not accessible due to the industrial action,” a Louvre spokeswoman confirmed.

Worker Strike and Background

The strike involves the 2,200-strong Louvre workforce, who have long voiced concerns over staff shortages, disrepair, and deteriorating visitor conditions. Employees had previously warned that these issues would impact operations, and the October heist—which saw crown jewels worth 88 million euros ($103 million) stolen—has intensified frustrations.

Union representatives voted to continue the strike on Wednesday after finding proposed measures by the French Ministry of Culture, including cancelling planned staff cuts for 2026, insufficient to resolve the dispute. Workers have accused Louvre management of failing to adequately improve security and working conditions in the wake of the heist.

Management Under Pressure

Louvre Director Laurence des Cars has faced mounting criticism since the theft, and she is scheduled to testify before the French Senate later on Wednesday regarding the incident and museum operations. The Culture Ministry has implemented emergency anti-intrusion measures, including appointing Philippe Jost, who oversaw the Notre Dame restoration, to assist in reorganising museum security and operations.

The strike highlights broader concerns about museum staffing and security protocols, especially for one of the world’s most visited cultural institutions, which welcomed nearly 9 million visitors in 2023, averaging around 30,000 people per day.

Impact on Visitors

Tourists were greeted by uncertainty at the museum gates, with security staff informing early arrivals:

“We don’t know yet if we’ll open. You have to come back later.”

The partial reopening has allowed some access, but several galleries and exhibition halls remain off-limits. The disruption underscores the challenges facing large cultural institutions balancing public access, staff welfare, and security after significant thefts or crises.

The Louvre strike serves as a reminder of the tensions between museum employees and management, particularly when historic artworks and priceless collections are at stake. Visitor patience is being tested as negotiations continue, with tourists and cultural enthusiasts eagerly awaiting a return to full operations.