Students blocked access to the Louvre Museum in Paris on Monday, expressing support for the high school student movement and condemning what they described as police repression, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The protest prevented the world’s most visited museum from opening as scheduled at 9am local time, the museum’s management said. The demonstration was organised by students from the École du Louvre, a higher education institution based inside the museum.
The action comes amid wider protests in France over the cost of living and access to public services, following a national day of demonstrations on Saturday that was marred by violence and looting in several cities.
Students protest against police repression
A leaflet seen by AFP near the museum declared that the students were proud to be blocking the world’s largest museum.
According to the museum’s management, the demonstration was not directly connected to the institution itself. The CGT union supported the action but did not participate, saying the museum would remain closed at least until midday.
The CFDT union said students from the École des Beaux-Arts were also linked to the protest. The students framed their action as part of a wider struggle for the right to study, work and live freely in good conditions.
The protest coincided with the first anniversary of the high-profile burglary at the Louvre on 19 October 2025, which plunged the museum into a major crisis.
Access to the museum has also been repeatedly disrupted over the past year by industrial action over working conditions and pay. Unions issued a strike notice in December 2025, which remains in place as no final agreement has been reached with the Culture Ministry.
🚨 SCÈNE SURRÉALISTE ! Des touristes venus visiter le Louvre ce matin insultent les étudiants qui bloquent l’entrée au musée, les traitant de « fils de p*te » et leur adressant des doigts d’honneur 😭 🎥 @LucAuffret https://t.co/wbDCnAzPTk
— FRENCHRAPUS 🇺🇸 (@FrenchRapUS) October 19, 2026
Marseille bans demonstrations after weekend violence
Meanwhile, authorities in Marseille banned public gatherings and demonstrations from midday until 8pm local time on Monday, following violent clashes and looting during Saturday’s protests.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez was expected to visit France’s second-largest city later in the day. Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan criticised the deployment of security forces and rejected figures from the local authorities suggesting that looting had affected as many as 30,000 locations.
The unrest has also prompted a broader political response. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu convened an interministerial crisis meeting on Monday morning to address the situation, while representatives of the Yellow Vests movement announced plans for another demonstration on Saturday.
Political pressure mounts on Macron’s government
France is facing mounting pressure over the response to the unrest, with political figures divided over responsibility for the violence.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reportedly submitted his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, who rejected it, citing the need for continuity in crisis management and police operations.
Socialist presidential candidate Gabriel Glucksmann described France as being at a critical point in its history and called on the government to respond firmly to acts of violence. He warned that failure to maintain order could benefit the far right and accused left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon of helping Marine Le Pen politically.
Mélenchon, in turn, blamed the government for the chaos. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon also criticised his party, accusing it of encouraging confrontational politics.
The government announced plans to establish a support structure for businesses affected by the demonstrations. Around 400 shops are estimated to have been affected in the Paris region.
Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally, said France was on the brink and called for the state to regain control, urging a broad review of domestic security policies.
The latest developments add to the pressure on Macron’s government as it faces continuing demonstrations, damage to businesses and public infrastructure, and renewed calls for political accountability.
Also read: Why are protests sweeping France and what happens next?
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
