As Europe protests overtourism, Louvre staff walks out. Sanjeev Sanyal reacts

Monday’s shutdown was more than just a labour action—it was a flashpoint in a broader cultural reckoning.

In a scene that stunned tourists and rippled through cultural institutions worldwide, the Louvre Museum in Paris—the world’s most visited art museum—shut its doors on Monday, June 16, after staff staged a spontaneous strike to protest worsening working conditions brought on by the crush of mass tourism. The closure came just one day after anti-tourism protests swept across southern Europe, from Barcelona to Mallorca and Venice, where thousands took to the streets denouncing the economic, environmental and social toll of unregulated tourism.

Economist and policymaker Sanjeev Sanyal drew attention to the moment on social media, sharing a video of staff blocking entry to the Louvre and commenting, “This is an interesting twist. Those in the tourism industry protesting tourists. I understand that those in other industries find tourists annoying, but those in the industry itself?” His post reflected the growing irony at the heart of Europe’s tourism dilemma: the very people employed to serve tourists are now among the loudest voices demanding change.

This is an interesting twist. Those in the tourism industry protesting tourists. I understand that those in other industries find tourists annoying, but those in the industry itself? https://t.co/QF6tkaKafg
Sanjeev Sanyal (@sanjeevsanyal) June 17, 2025

The Louvre strike, though sudden, was not without cause. Workers described “untenable” conditions worsened by overcrowding, chronic understaffing, and crumbling infrastructure. With nearly 8.7 million visitors last year—more than double what its current systems were designed to handle—the Louvre has become emblematic of cultural landmarks pushed to their limits.

Tourists waiting outside I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid on Monday were met with confusion, little communication, and sweltering lines. “It’s the Mona Lisa moan out here,” said Kevin Ward, a 62-year-old visitor from Milwaukee. “Thousands of people waiting, no explanation. I guess even she needs a day off.”

The protest erupted during what was meant to be a routine internal meeting, but frustration among gallery attendants, security personnel, and ticketing staff quickly spilled over. Workers refused to take their posts, citing impossible crowd management, intense summer heat amplified by the pyramid’s greenhouse effect, inadequate restroom and rest facilities, and degrading conditions that endanger both the staff and the priceless art.

A leaked memo from Louvre president Laurence des Cars even described parts of the museum as “no longer watertight,” with fluctuating temperatures posing a threat to conservation efforts.

The Louvre in Paris has temporarily shut down operations after its employees walked out to protest tourism. Thousands of stranded and confused visitors were corralled into unmoving lines at the glass pyramid.The protest is a part of a series of coordinated anti-tourism protests pic.twitter.com/ICUIUuYdbeIan Miles Cheong (@stillgray) June 17, 2025

In parallel, President Emmanuel Macron had earlier announced a €700–800 million ten-year renovation plan called the “Louvre New Renaissance,” aimed at relieving pressure on the museum by building a new Seine-side entrance and finally relocating the Mona Lisa to her own gallery. But for many workers, this long-term vision does little to address the urgent strain they face today. “We can’t wait six years for help,” said Sarah Sefian, a gallery attendant and visitor services agent. “It’s not just about the art — it’s about the people protecting it.”

Monday’s shutdown was more than just a labour action—it was a flashpoint in a broader cultural reckoning. Across southern Europe, cities are pushing back against the unchecked flow of mass tourism. In Barcelona, demonstrators wielded water pistols and signs reading “Mass tourism kills the city.” In Palma de Mallorca, protesters filled streets to condemn how holiday rentals and tourist infrastructure are pricing locals out of their own neighbourhoods.

Venice has already begun trialling entrance fees to control daily tourist numbers. Lisbon residents have demanded a freeze on short-term rentals and cruise ships that flood the city with day-trippers but bring little local economic benefit.

These actions mark a sharp shift in tone from the pre-pandemic boom years when tourism was seen as a pillar of national income. Now, the costs—strained services, vanishing housing stock, cultural dilution, and climate impacts—are being laid bare. Europe’s postcard cities are not just struggling to preserve monuments and masterpieces but the very communities that give these destinations their soul.

For the Louvre, a temporary “masterpiece route” may be opened in the coming days, allowing limited access to works like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Full reopening is expected by Wednesday, but the message from workers is clear: the current pace and model of tourism is unsustainable.

Meanwhile, Sanjeev Sanyal’s post captures the paradox unfolding in Paris and beyond. The global tourism economy, once seen as a cultural bridge and financial lifeline, is now at odds with its own workforce—and its own future.