The Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Picasso Museum and Grand Palais will close Saturday, Oct. 24, as French authorities prepare for another round of nationwide demonstrations following violent riots that resulted in thousands of arrests.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Several of Paris’ most prominent museums, including the Louvre, will close Saturday, Oct. 24, as French authorities increase security measures ahead of nationwide protests following a weekend of riots, looting and clashes with police.
France’s Culture Ministry announced Thursday that the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Picasso Museum and Grand Palais would suspend operations for the day to protect visitors, employees and valuable artworks.
According to Le Figaro, citing Agence France-Presse, the ministry urged cultural institutions under its supervision to take additional precautions amid concerns that demonstrations could again turn violent.
The closures affect some of France’s most visited cultural attractions, including the Louvre, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and numerous internationally recognized artworks.
The museum confirmed on its official website that it would close exceptionally Saturday and automatically refund visitors who had already purchased tickets.
Other cultural institutions and major events have announced similar precautions as organizers assess the security risks surrounding planned demonstrations.
The Fondation Louis Vuitton, a contemporary art museum in western Paris, has announced its closure, while organizers of Art Basel Paris canceled the final two days of the international art fair at the Grand Palais.
The art fair had been scheduled to continue through Sunday, but organizers decided to end the event early following consultations concerning public safety.
According to Reuters, businesses and cultural institutions across France are preparing for further disruptions despite government restrictions on certain demonstrations.
The closures follow violent protests Oct. 17 that resulted in approximately 2,700 arrests nationwide, according to authorities.
Demonstrations initially centered on rising living costs, wages, public spending cuts and concerns about deteriorating government services. Violence subsequently erupted in several cities, with incidents of looting, vandalism and property destruction.
The unrest has intensified political divisions and prompted President Emmanuel Macron to announce tighter restrictions on protests considered likely to threaten public order.
Speaking Thursday after meeting intelligence officials and senior ministers, Macron blamed radical left-wing organizations for the violence.
“Last Saturday we had political and seditious acts by ultra-left groups whose aim is to bring down the Republic,” Macron said.
The president said demonstrations organized by recognized groups, including labor unions, could continue under certain conditions, although authorities might redirect marches away from commercial districts and vulnerable locations.
He also warned that demonstrations deemed illegitimate would be prohibited.
Local officials have already banned Saturday protests in Marseille and Lyon, France’s second- and third-largest cities, citing public safety concerns.
Businesses in Marseille have been encouraged to close temporarily as authorities prepare for possible disturbances.
Despite the restrictions, several organizations intend to proceed with demonstrations.
France’s main student union, UNEF, has called for nationwide rallies Saturday, while the Yellow Vest movement has submitted plans for a march through central Paris.
The student demonstrations initially emerged over concerns about teacher shortages, inadequate school facilities and education funding before becoming part of the broader protest movement.
UNEF criticized Macron’s restrictions, arguing that limiting demonstrations would undermine fundamental civil liberties.
“Macron is trampling upon the freedom to protest in our country, and is spitting on the values of the republic he claims to defend,” the union said in a statement reported by Reuters.
Marylise Léon, leader of the CFDT trade union, also criticized the government’s approach, arguing that restrictions alone would not resolve the economic grievances driving the protests.
The government maintains that peaceful demonstrations remain protected but that police must prevent further violence and destruction.
Security preparations are also underway in Orléans, where thousands of counterprotesters are expected to gather in opposition to an annual meeting of the right-wing National Rally party.
Authorities are monitoring the possibility of confrontations between opposing political groups as demonstrations take place across the country.
In Paris, retailers have begun reinforcing storefronts and increasing security measures, particularly in commercial areas vulnerable to looting.
Luxury goods companies have also taken additional precautions following last weekend’s disturbances.
The unrest comes amid worsening economic pressures in France, including elevated energy prices, household budget constraints and concern about the country’s fiscal outlook.
French government borrowing costs have risen as investors reassess the political and economic risks surrounding the crisis.
Macron is expected to meet student representatives Friday to discuss their planned demonstrations and the security measures surrounding them.
Although several nights of local curfews have passed without major incidents, authorities remain concerned that renewed protests could trigger further unrest.
The Culture Ministry’s decision to close major museums reflects those concerns, prioritizing the protection of visitors, museum personnel and national cultural collections.
For tourists planning to visit Paris on Saturday, the closures will mean the temporary loss of access to several major attractions, including the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay.
The measures are currently focused on Saturday’s demonstrations, and officials have not announced an extended closure of the affected museums.
French authorities will continue monitoring security conditions as the weekend approaches, with the government’s protest restrictions and demonstrators’ plans setting the stage for another test of public order.
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