Latest news with #SarahSefian
Arabian Post
5 days ago
- Arabian Post
Louvre Staff Shutdown Highlights Overtourism Crisis
Thousands of visitors were left outside the Louvre under its iconic glass pyramid on 16 June 2025 after staff launched a spontaneous strike over overcrowding, chronic understaffing and deteriorating infrastructure at the world's most‑visited museum. The closure, initiated during a routine internal meeting, involved gallery attendants, ticket office personnel and security staff who refused to work, describing current conditions as 'untenable'. The unexpected walkout ignited fresh scrutiny of the impact of mass tourism on both the Louvre's functioning and staff welfare. Staff pointed to daily crowds of up to 20,000 visitors in the Salle des États alone, where Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa draws the largest numbers. Workers say that the heat trapped under the pyramid, long queues with limited restroom access, leaky ceilings, aging display systems and erratic temperature control have created challenging working conditions and risked damage to priceless artworks. Union representative Sarah Sefian, a front‑of‑house attendant, commented: 'We can't wait six years for help. Our teams are under pressure now. It's not just about the art – it's about the people protecting it'. Held during an internal briefing that began at 10:30 a.m., the strike paralyzed operations until early afternoon, with the museum reopening around 2:30 p.m.. ADVERTISEMENT The strike coincides with a wider wave of anti‑tourism protests across southern Europe—in locations such as Mallorca, Venice and Barcelona—where activists have staged interventions including water‑gun demonstrations to express opposition to overtourism. Paris, too, is confronting the consequences of excessive visitor numbers, with the Louvre now emerging as a symbolic flashpoint. Despite the fact that the Louvre drew 8.7 million visitors in 2024—remaining the world's most‑visited museum—its infrastructure was originally designed for far fewer people. While a cap of 30,000 daily visitors currently exists, critics argue it fails to mitigate crowding that leaves many unable to fully experience the collection. President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a €700–800 million 'Louvre New Renaissance' renovation plan in January, which includes a dedicated Mona Lisa gallery with timed‑entry tickets and a new entrance on the Seine side, slated for completion by 2031. Staff argue that while this long‑term vision may eventually alleviate pressure, it offers little relief for their immediate struggles. Laurence des Cars, President of the Louvre, reportedly warned in a leaked memo that parts of the building are no longer watertight, while fluctuating temperatures threaten art preservation and basic visitor amenities fall short of global best practice. Staff and union officials have criticised the government for reducing operating subsidies by over 20 percent in the past decade, even as visitor numbers surged. Despite the strike, some staff suggested opening a limited 'masterpiece route' later in the day to allow entry to key highlights such as the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. The museum remained closed the following day as is customary on Tuesdays, but management indicated a full reopening could be possible by Wednesday, with Monday ticket‑holders potentially being accommodated then. This labour action at the Louvre reinforces broader concerns about the sustainability of global tourism models and the need to protect both cultural heritage and those who safeguard it. Monuments from Venice to Machu Picchu have already imposed crowd controls and entry limits; now Paris must navigate a path that balances accessibility with preservation and worker welfare.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Amid fears of overcrowding, the Louvre shuts its doors
The Louvre Museum in Paris was unable to open on time on Monday due to a staff protest over working conditions, leaving thousands of visitors waiting outside. Union representative Sarah Sefian of the CGT-Culture stated the disruption was due to a spontaneous movement among front-of-house staff protesting deteriorating labour conditions, including overcrowding and understaffing. The protest began as a scheduled monthly information session that turned into a mass expression of exasperation, with staff deciding to stay together until management arrived for talks. As of midday, the museum remained closed, with lines of ticket-holders snaking past the glass pyramid. Louvre President Laurence des Cars earlier warned about overcrowding and insufficient facilities at the museum and has imposed a limit of 30,000 visitors per day.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Union protest forces the Louvre in Paris to delay opening as visitors wait in long line-ups
PARIS (AP) — The Louvre Museum failed to open on time Monday, leaving thousands of visitors stuck in long, unmoving lines outside the iconic Paris institution as staff held a protest over working conditions. According to union representative Sarah Sefian of the CGT-Culture, the disruption was caused by a spontaneous movement among front-of-house staff, including gallery attendants, reception, and security workers, who are protesting deteriorating labor conditions. 'It's a movement led by reception agents who are suffering from the working conditions at the Louvre,' Sefian told The Associated Press. 'What began as a scheduled monthly information session turned into a mass expression of exasperation,' she said. 'Staff decided to stay together until management arrived.' Sefian said the agents gathered in the auditorium at 10:30 a.m. for talks with the museum's leadership. 'All roles related to visitor reception are affected,' she said. 'Overcrowding and understaffing are the main issues being raised.' As of midday, the museum remained closed, with lines snaking past I.M. Pei's famous glass pyramid and deep into the underground shopping complex. Some ticket-holders gave up and left, creating the illusion of movement in the queues. A message on the museum's official website stated: 'Due to strikes in France, the museum may open later and some exhibition rooms may remain closed. We thank you for your understanding.' Union officials say the museum may reopen Monday afternoon.
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Iconic tourist destination closes unexpectedly, with thousands left waiting outside
The Louvre Museum in Paris was unable to open its doors on time on Monday, leaving thousands of visitors waiting outside as staff protested working conditions. Union representative Sarah Sefian of the CGT-Culture said the disruption was due to a spontaneous movement among front-of-house staff, including gallery attendants, reception, and security workers. They are protesting what they say are deteriorating labour conditions. "It's a movement led by reception agents who are suffering from the working conditions at the Louvre," Ms Sefian said. She added that "what began as a scheduled monthly information session turned into a mass expression of exasperation", and that "staff decided to stay together until management arrived". Ms Sefian said the agents gathered in the auditorium at 10.30am for talks with the museum's leadership. 'All roles related to visitor reception are affected," she said. "Overcrowding and understaffing are the main issues being raised." As of midday, the museum remained closed, with lines snaking past I.M. Pei's famous glass pyramid and deep into the underground shopping complex. Some ticket-holders gave up and left, creating the illusion of movement in the queues. A message on the museum's official website stated: "Due to strikes in France, the museum may open later and some exhibition rooms may remain closed. We thank you for your understanding." Union officials said the museum may reopen on Monday afternoon. The Louvre is one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations and the most-visited museum in the world. It welcomed 8.7 million people in 2024. More than three quarters (77 per cent) were from outside France. In January, Louvre President Laurence des Cars . A visit to the museum had become an ordeal, he said, with a lack of space for visitors to take a break, and insufficient food and sanitary facilities. He has imposed a limit of 30,000 visitors per day in order to avoid overcrowding.
Asharq Al-Awsat
5 days ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lines Stretch Outside the Louvre in Paris as Opening Delayed for Undisclosed Emergency Meeting
The Louvre Museum failed to open on time Monday, leaving thousands of visitors stuck in long, unmoving lines outside the iconic Paris institution as staff held a protest over working conditions. According to union representative Sarah Sefian of the CGT-Culture, the disruption was caused by a spontaneous movement among front-of-house staff, including gallery attendants, reception, and security workers, who are protesting deteriorating labor conditions. 'It's a movement led by reception agents who are suffering from the working conditions at the Louvre,' Sefian told The Associated Press. 'What began as a scheduled monthly information session turned into a mass expression of exasperation,' she said. 'Staff decided to stay together until management arrived.' Sefian said the agents gathered in the auditorium at 10:30 a.m. for talks with the museum's leadership. 'All roles related to visitor reception are affected,' she said. 'Overcrowding and understaffing are the main issues being raised.' As of midday, the museum remained closed, with lines snaking past I.M. Pei's famous glass pyramid and deep into the underground shopping complex. Some ticket-holders gave up and left, creating the illusion of movement in the queues. A message on the museum's official website stated: 'Due to strikes in France, the museum may open later and some exhibition rooms may remain closed. We thank you for your understanding.'
