Authorities closed galleries and museums across Paris following a week of nationwide demonstrations regarding deteriorating public services and the cost of living. The demonstrations descended into street violence, prompting the government to impose localised curfews.
The Louvre locked its gates to block access to the entire site and its gardens, making the Mona Lisa off limits to the public. Other major sites, including the Orangerie, Jeu de Paume, and Picasso museums, also shut their doors.
Officials sealed off the Tuileries Gardens complex while the Paris Opera shuttered both the Palais Garnier and the Opéra Bastille. The Art Basel Paris fair cancelled its weekend programme as a result of the unrest.
Cultural centres posted warnings about these closures on Friday. Selena Bertoni, 31, expressed surprise at the situation, saying, "When we came, we thought there could be a problem but not that the museum would be closed."
Bertoni, who was on a four-day trip to Paris, described the situation as "Bad timing" after paying €50 for two tickets. Heidi Rosar, 21, noted that the group had already visited three closed museums and stated, "They should've warned us."
Don Nowschuk, 67, who was on a two-night stay in Paris, said, "We wanted to at least see the pyramid." Nowschuk observed that the heavy police presence felt unusual, remarking, "It's a bit weird to see so many cops with guns around Paris. We are used to guns but not like this."
Catherine Sebbagh, 59, admitted to being naive about the possibility of museum closures, asking, "How could we have known? We didn't think a museum could be closed. We are a bit naive." Nowschuk added that the high level of security suggested the museum itself was well-protected.
