05.01.2026 18:01
The world-famous Louvre Museum, which came to the forefront due to the robbery that took place in France in 2025, has decided to go on strike again following their strike in December.
The employees of the Louvre Museum in Paris, the capital of France, have decided to go on strike again at the call of the unions.
French media reported that the General Labor Union (CGT), the French Democratic Labor Federation (CFDT), and the SUD Union called for a new strike for the employees, finding the government's statements regarding the museum management insufficient.
350 EMPLOYEES WORKING IN THE MUSEUM ARE ON STRIKE
It was reported that the decision of approximately 350 employees working in different units of the museum to go on strike, called by the unions, negatively affected museum services.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Museum employees had gone on a 3-day strike on December 15 due to poor working conditions and security issues. The unions had pointed out the technical malfunctions and inadequate building conditions at the Louvre Museum. Employees accused the management of failing to take adequate precautions, stating that accidents like the flooding that occurred in the museum were predictable and stemmed from the building's neglected state.
On November 26, at the Louvre Museum, water leakage occurred from the ceiling of one of the rooms in the section containing Egyptian antiquities after a valve was accidentally opened, damaging hundreds of artifacts.
HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS WERE STOLEN
A robbery took place at the world-famous museum, which hosts thousands of visitors daily and exhibits approximately 35,000 artifacts, on the morning of October 19.
During the robbery, 9 artifacts of "priceless" value were stolen from the section known as the Apollo Gallery, where royal jewels are displayed. A crown belonging to Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III, which was dropped by the thieves while escaping, was later found outside the museum in damaged condition. The robbery, carried out by 4 thieves who escaped with 8 valuable jewels, lasted 7 minutes.
In a preliminary report prepared by the Court of Accounts, it was stated that there were "continuous" and "significant delays" in providing technical equipment that meets security standards for the museum, creating a security gap.
Louvre Museum Director Laurence Des Cars testified before the Senate Culture Commission on October 22 due to the robbery. Des Cars stated that she "accepted her responsibility" in the robbery and mentioned that she had submitted her resignation to Culture Minister Rachida Dati, but her resignation was rejected.
After the robbery, some of the jewels exhibited at the Louvre Museum were transferred to the national central bank, the Bank of France.
Two individuals connected to the robbery in which historical artifacts were stolen from the Louvre Museum were arrested on October 29, and one suspect was arrested on November 2. The value of the stolen artifacts from the museum is estimated to be 88 million euros.