Some of France's most prestigious cultural institutions, including the Louvre Museum and Grand Palais, were forced to shut their doors on Thursday, September 18, as museum workers joined a nationwide strike protesting government budget cuts and austerity measures. The one-day strike significantly disrupted tourism and cultural activities across the country, affecting dozens of monuments and institutions from Paris to the provinces.

The closures came just one week after partial shutdowns caused by a labor movement called "let's block everything," which has gained support from several major unions. Among the affected venues in Paris, the Louvre Museum, Château de Versailles, and the exhibition galleries at the Grand Palais experienced partial closures. However, at the Musée d'Orsay, employees took a different approach, allowing visitors to enter the museum without charge in a symbolic gesture of protest.

The strike's impact extended far beyond museums, with iconic Parisian landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Panthéon, and Musée Picasso completely closing their doors to visitors. Representatives from the national union CGT reported that workers at more than 50 theaters and concert halls across the country voted to participate in the strike action. The widespread nature of the protest was further highlighted when demonstrators gathered in front of the office of Culture Minister Rachida Dati.

In Normandy, the strike had unexpected consequences for one of France's most treasured historical artifacts. The planned removal of the famous Bayeux Tapestry had to be postponed due to the labor action. The museum housing the tapestry is currently closed for a two-year renovation period, and the 70-meter-long embroidery was scheduled to be transported to an undisclosed intermediate location before its controversial journey to the British Museum in London, where it is expected to be displayed in September 2026.

The planned loan of the Bayeux Tapestry has sparked considerable debate among historians, conservators, and the French public. More than 73,000 people have signed a petition demanding the cancellation of the loan, expressing concerns that the nearly 1,000-year-old embroidery is too fragile to safely travel abroad. The loan was personally promised to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer by French President Emmanuel Macron during a diplomatic visit. Despite the public opposition, both British Museum Director Nicholas Cullinan and the French president's office maintain that the embroidery can be safely transported to London.

The strikes highlight the ongoing financial pressures facing France's cultural sector, which has traditionally been heavily subsidized by the government but has experienced significant budget cuts in recent years. The protests come at a particularly turbulent time for French politics, as the country has seen five different prime ministers since 2024 and is expecting a new government following a no-confidence vote in parliament. France is currently grappling with a mounting public debt crisis, with the national debt reaching 113 percent of the country's gross domestic product, putting additional pressure on government spending across all sectors, including culture and the arts.