Louvre Museum reaches agreement to end labor strike

The Louvre management and the CGT-CFDT-SUD union coalition have signed a protocol to end one of the museum’s longest social conflicts. The agreement includes the recruitment of approximately 100 staff members by 2028 and establishes a working group to address staff workload.

The strike, which began with a notice in December 2025, resulted in eight days of disruptions, including four total closures and four partial openings. The unions had demanded improved working conditions, increased hiring, and commitments to building preservation. The agreement also includes pay measures for category C personnel involved in reception, surveillance, and storage.

The labor crisis followed a significant theft on October 19, 2025, in which eight Crown jewels valued at 88 million euros were stolen. This incident and the ongoing unrest contributed to the departure of former president Laurence des Cars, who was replaced in February by Christophe Leribault. The museum is currently undergoing a modernization project titled “Louvre – Nouvelle Renaissance,” which involves significant state investment and plans for new facilities, including a new room for the Mona Lisa.