Brief

Louvre closes after radical-left protesters barricade entrances

The museum announced closure on Monday, citing barricades set up by students from the École du Louvre.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:22:25 GMT

The Louvre announced on Monday, Oct. 19, that it had closed its doors after radical‑left protesters barricaded the iconic glass pyramid and other entrances, according to local newspaper Le Monde and AFP.

Visitors arriving for a Monday morning visit found the pyramid, the Carrousel du Louvre and Passage Richelieu entrances blocked by demonstrators from the École du Louvre. The museum posted on X, "Dear visitors, due to student strikes, the museum is currently closed. We apologize for the inconvenience," without giving a reopening time.

The blockade was organized in solidarity with nationwide protests over the rising cost of living and recent police actions. French media reported the Louvre normally receives up to 20,000 visitors on its busiest days, a flow that was turned away by the barricades.

The disruption follows a weekend of violent street clashes that left hundreds of businesses damaged and nearly 2,400 arrests across France, according to the Associated Press. Other major Paris attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and central shopping districts, have also been affected. The Eiffel Tower was forced to close for a full day after a sudden staff strike, AP said.

Outside Paris, the town hall in Limoges was set ablaze on Oct. 17, and the Château de Versailles closed its interior doors on Oct. 6 after a power outage, further highlighting the scale of unrest.

Key facts

The Louvre closed on Oct. 19 after protesters barricaded its entrances. (nypost.com)
Barricades were set up by demonstrators from the École du Louvre. (nypost.com)
Nearly 2,400 arrests were made across France during the weekend of protests. (nypost.com)
The Eiffel Tower also closed for a day due to a staff strike. (nypost.com)
Limoges town hall was set on fire on Oct. 17 amid the unrest. (nypost.com)