According to the unions, the recent theft of the French crown jewels is just a small part of deeper issues.
They stated that the incident, which occurred on October 19, 2025, only highlighted existing shortcomings that had been previously reported in an official letter to France's Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati.
Less media attention was given to an incident at the end of November when a plumbing failure flooded the Egyptology department's library and damaged numerous works. Museum representatives reported that the pipes are scheduled to be replaced next year.
Additionally, in November, the Louvre temporarily closed part of its storage facilities and one exhibition gallery due to weakened ceilings.
In their strike notice, the unions indicated that outdated equipment and a lack of staff negatively impact visitor experiences, forcing the closure of certain exhibits.
Employees are demanding funding for building modernization and safety measures.
