The Louvre museum in Paris has reopened today (21 October) following student protests over the cost of living and poor public services, which forced the institution to close on Monday (19 October).
After days of unrest across France, the Louvre is operating as normal today and confirmed on its website that it is open to visitors between 9am and 9pm.
The Louvre was closed on Monday after students from the École du Louvre, an independent school on the museum’s grounds, blocked access to the institution, French newspaper Le Monde reports.
The Louvre confirmed the closure in a statement posted to X, which read: "Dear visitors, due to student strikes the museum is currently closed. We apologise for the inconvenience."
According to reports, the students barricaded the museum’s glass pyramid, Carrousel du Louvre, and Passage Richelieu entrances.
The blockade at the Louvre came after a weekend of disorder across France, as protesters expressed their opposition to rising fuel prices, the cost of living, and underfunded public services, including schools.
Initially led by students, the protests escalated into wider demonstrations and violent unrest in several French cities, with reports of clashes between protesters and police, looting, and damage to public buildings.
France protests
The Louvre has faced a series of setbacks in recent months, beginning with the high-profile theft of €88 million worth of jewellery from the institution.
The daytime heist was followed by a series of further challenges for the museum, including water leaks, an alleged ticket fraud scheme, ceiling safety issues and staff strikes.
Earlier this year, the Louvre announced an architectural team to design its expansion project.
