Louvre and Paris museums close over protest violence fears

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 14:32 · Archive

The Louvre and several other major Paris museums shut on Saturday due to concerns about potential violence during planned demonstrations.

The Louvre and several other major Paris museums shut on Saturday over concerns about potential violence during planned protests. The Musée d'Orsay, Picasso Museum and Grand Palais also closed. France's culture ministry called on institutions under its authority to adopt necessary measures to ensure 'visitor safety, staff protection and the preservation of artworks'.

The closures came after destructive riots the previous weekend that left widespread damage across France, with approximately 3,000 businesses damaged or looted according to Fox News. The unrest marked France's most violent disturbances in years, with rioters setting fires, smashing shop windows and clashing with police. Shopkeepers were seen boarding up storefronts across Paris as authorities braced for another round of unrest.

French officials deployed up to 70,000 law enforcement officers nationwide on Saturday, supported by helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannons. Police rerouted Paris' main demonstration away from the city centre to prevent another outbreak of violence. Art Basel Paris, an international art fair hosted at the Grand Palais, cancelled its weekend programme on Thursday after opening to the public on Friday, with organisers stating that 'the safety of everyone involved in the fair remains our utmost priority'.

How it is being reported

• Louvre turns away tourists as Paris braces for renewed violence following destructive riotsTourists were turned away from the Louvre as heightened security measures, nationwide demonstrations and fears of further unrest disrupted travel and major cultural attractions across Paris.Fox News · 24 Oct, 14:09
• France protests: Louvre shuts down over fears of violence in ParisA raft of other top museums are also closedIndependent World · 24 Oct, 09:44

In this story: Louvre · Musée d'Orsay · Picasso Museum · Grand Palais · Art Basel Paris · Paris · France

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