Paris's famed Louvre Museum has resumed full operations after its staff voted to end a strike that had significantly disrupted access for visitors. The decision, reached on December 19, 2025, allows the world's most visited museum to open all its galleries to the public once more.
Strike Action Disrupts World-Famous Museum
The industrial action, which began earlier in the week, had forced the closure of several wings within the massive Parisian institution. On Thursday, December 18, employees had initially voted to extend the walkout, leaving crowds of tourists waiting outside the closed gates. Associated Press photographs from that day captured the scene of disappointed visitors gathered at the museum's entrance.
Staff Vote Leads to Full Reopening
The turnaround came swiftly following a subsequent vote by Louvre staff. By the morning of Friday, December 19, the decision was made to suspend the strike action entirely. This immediate resolution enabled a full reopening of all exhibition spaces, including those housing its most iconic treasures like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
Return to Normal for Millions of Visitors
The reopening marks a return to normalcy for the cultural landmark, which typically welcomes millions of guests from around the globe each year. The swift end to the dispute is a relief for both international tourists and Paris's cultural tourism sector. While the specific grievances that led to the strike were not detailed in the initial report, the staff's collective agreement to return to work suggests a temporary resolution or the opening of further negotiations with management.
The Louvre's operational status is closely watched worldwide, as it stands not only as a premier art repository but also as a significant symbol of French cultural heritage and a major economic driver for the city of Paris.
