Strike at Louvre nearing end

The Louvre museum is preparing to end its nearly year-long strike after an agreement is set to be signed on Thursday, October 29, at 2 p.m., according to trade union sources quoted by BFMTV.

Strike details and impact

The strike, which began on December 8, 2025, involved eight days of closures, including four full closures and four partial openings. This led to financial losses exceeding two million euros.

Agreement content and context

The agreement includes commitments on staffing, finances, and working conditions. It was mandated by strike notice signatories during an intersyndical meeting held on Monday, October 26.

Union leadership and concerns

The strike was led by the CFDT in an alliance with the CGT and Sud. Employees criticized deteriorating working conditions, governance issues, and declining purchasing power.

New leadership and progress

The arrival of the new Louvre president, Christophe Leribault, has been credited with restoring confidence and re-establishing dialogue with unions. A trade union delegate noted that Leribault's efforts have "profoundly changed the relations between the staff, their representatives, and the museum management."

Remaining challenges

While union sources acknowledge that the situation is not fully resolved, they emphasized the importance of locking in the commitments made by the Louvre and its oversight. However, the museum continues to face challenges, including security concerns.

Security incident reported

BFMTV reported that on Sunday, May 3, a large window was found open in the Denon wing's Grande Galerie, which houses masterpieces of Italian painting, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Caravaggio. A source suggested that a large ladder or platform could have allowed unauthorized entry into the museum.

Broader context of the strike

The strike occurred in a particularly "troubled" context following a brazen burglary on October 19, 2025, and the closure of the museum on October 24 for a national mobilization day.

Official involvement in agreement

The signing of the agreement will take place in the presence of Delphine Christophe, the Director General of Heritage and Architecture from the Ministry of Culture.