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The Louvre’s closure is a warning sign for over-tourism

The iconic museum promptly shut its doors this week after crowds overwhelmed staff. 

The Louvre is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Paris, and one of the most iconic museums in the world.

Every day, an average of 28,000 people walk through the halls of this historic landmark – many of them armed with phones and selfie sticks primed for a shot of the Mona Lisa (arguably the most famous painting ever made).

To think this institution would abruptly close its doors during peak hours – particularly in the absence of an emergency – would have been unthinkable a few days ago. Afterall, attractions like the Louvre have cemented Paris as one of the prime tourist destinations in Europe, with visitors generating roughly €19.6billion for the national economy in 2022.

And yet the doors to the museum were left closed on Monday morning, leaving thousands of would-be visitors waiting in long lines outside. Staff had staged an unplanned strike, with security guards, gallery attendants, and receptionists refusing to show up for work.

The mass walkout follows warnings from the museum’s director about the impacts of mass tourism – large crowds have placed growing pressure on the institution and led to crumbling infrastructure and deteriorating conditions.

Employees were reportedly fed up with the understaffed and overcrowded state of the museum, forcing leadership to meet with them around 10:30am local time on Monday. Visitors were subsequently told they would have their tickets refunded should they be unable to get inside.

Those left waiting outside were given little clarity on the situation for most of the morning, leaving individuals frustratedly waiting for hours with no idea what had happened.

‘It’s the Mona Lisa moan out here,’ said Kevin Ward, a tourist from Milwaukee. ‘Thousands of people waiting, no communication, no explanation. I guess even she needs a day off.’

The Louvre’s closure comes as various destinations across Europe face mounting pressures from over-tourism. Most recently, locals have staged protests in cities like Barcelona, bemoaning the impact of foreign visitors on their quality of life.

Campaigners say excessive levels of tourism are forcing locals out of affordable housing, raising the cost of living, and making city centers unusable. But others argue tourism is vital for keep economies alive – particularly in cities where local exports are few and far between.

But the Louvre’s closure is notable for its rarity. The museum has only previously shut during the war, the pandemic, and a handful of strikes – one in 2019 was caused by overcrowding, and another by mounting safety fears in 2013.

As one of Paris’ most historic and culturally monumental buildings, protecting the Louvre is crucial for French leaders. Just a few months ago, President Macron unveiled a sweeping decade-long plan to protect the Louvre from the very problems now prompting its sudden closure – water leaks, dangerous temperature swings, outdated infrastructure, and foot traffic far beyond what the museum can handle.

The Mona Lisa is the museum’s most popular attraction, and sits at the center of overcrowding concerns.

Each day thousands squeeze into the Salle des États, the museum’s largest room, to catch a glimpse of Da Vinci’s masterpiece. The result is an experience ‘more akin to celebrity meet-and-greet than an art experience.’

‘You don’t see a painting,’ Ji-Hyuan Park, 28, told CNN. ‘You see phones. You see elbows. You feel heat. And then, you’re pushed out.’ The Seoul native had flown to Paris in order to visit the museum.

As part of Macron’s proposed overhaul of the building, the Mona Lisa is set to get her own dedicated room, with a new entrance along the Seine River planned by 2031 to relieve pressure on the overwhelming pyramid hub.

But workers don’t feel reassured by these long-term aspirations.

‘We can’t wait six years for help,’ said Sarah Sefian, a front-of-house gallery attendant and visitor services agent. ‘Our teams are under pressure now. It’s not just about the art – it’s about the people protecting it.’

Last year the Louvre welcomed 8.7 million visitors through its doors. That’s more than double what the building was designed to accommodate. Staff say the experience of catering to such large crowds has become ‘a daily test of endurance,’ with the summer heat only magnifying the punishing effects of a busy day on-site.

These include everything from food, restrooms, and signage falling below international standards, as well as temperature fluctuations that endanger the conditions of priceless artworks.

The Louvre remained closed on Tuesday in accordance with its usually scheduling, but many were unsure whether it would be business as usual come Wednesday. Whether or not the museum’s doors open normally for the remainder of the week, staff concerns and ongoing crowds are sure to place the institution in a state of limbo for some time.

As for other tourism hotspots across Europe? The Louvre’s sudden closure points to a disconcerting future where over-tourism continues to wreak havoc on some of the world’s most beloved destinations, the workers who protect them, and the locals who have lived alongside them.

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