Story perspectives

France Closes Louvre, Major Museums for Protest Security

By Drooid · Oct 25, 2026, 2:04 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

France Closes Museums

France closed the Louvre and other major museums on Saturday to protect visitors amid planned protests.
The Culture Ministry ordered the closures to ensure visitor safety, staff protection, and artwork preservation.
Authorities deployed about 70,000 police, helicopters, armored vehicles and water cannons nationwide.
Art Basel Paris cancelled its weekend program after the Grand Palais closed for security, while 500,000 protesters marched nationwide.

Summary

Drake Carr Praises

Thursday protest at Art Basel Paris proceeded peacefully, contrary to expectations of a larger Saturday demonstration.
Saloni Doshi, an Indian collector, said elite privileges should not silence public dissent.
Drake Carr, showing with Mariposa Gallery, called Art Basel Paris the “art Olympics.”
Antoine Donzeaud and Elisa Rigoulet said the closure decision was reasonable.
Organizers pledged to individually inform weekend ticket holders about refunds or alternatives.

History

Historical Context

During May 1968, student and worker protests in Paris forced President Charles de Gaulle to mobilize police, threaten emergency powers and call a June 23 election, while he appealed to “10 million workers” to end the strike. The same pattern reappeared at Art Basel Paris, where authorities again deployed thousands of police, helicopters and water-cannons to protect museums.

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France Closes Museums

France closed the Louvre and other major museums on Saturday to protect visitors amid planned protests.
The Culture Ministry ordered the closures to ensure visitor safety, staff protection, and artwork preservation.
Authorities deployed about 70,000 police, helicopters, armored vehicles and water cannons nationwide.
Art Basel Paris cancelled its weekend program after the Grand Palais closed for security, while 500,000 protesters marched nationwide.

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