Paris museums close Saturday ahead of planned demonstrations
French cultural venues shut down on Saturday as a precaution before fresh protests in Paris.
Tourists find gates locked
Disappointed visitors arrived to find the Louvre and other major galleries sealed off. The entire Tuileries Gardens complex leading out of the main museum was also closed. Many travelers who paid for tickets could not enter the sites they intended to see.
Closures follow recent violence
The shutdown occurred one week after nationwide demonstrations turned into severe street violence across France. Government officials imposed localised curfews and restricted access to public venues in response to the unrest. Authorities took these steps to prevent potential damage during the upcoming Saturday events.
Multiple sites remain shut
In addition to the Louvre, the Orangerie, Jeu de Paume and Picasso museums stayed closed for the day. Italian social educator Selena Bertoni expressed frustration after paying fifty euros for entry that never happened. French visitor Heidi Rosar noted this was the third museum she encountered that was inaccessible.
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