"Bloquons tout": some rooms at the Louvre and the Musée National Delacroix in Paris are closed.

Yesterday, September 10, Paris witnessed an unprecedented union mobilization that also significantly affected the world of culture: the Louvre Museum was forced to close some of its galleries, while the Musée National Eugène-Delacroix remained completely inaccessible to the public. The union action, which saw the participation of numerous public sector workers, was part of the nationwide "Bloquons tout" movement, called for September 10 by the unions in response to the announcement of €43.8 billion in cuts and savings planned by the Bayrou government for the 2026 budget.

The Louvre management had announced since early morning, through its official channels, that access to the museum would be limited, with the exceptional closure of some exhibition areas. Visitors were guaranteed automatic refunds for tickets purchased for the day, both for individuals and organized groups. A message posted on social media explained that the museum's opening could be delayed and that some rooms would remain closed for the duration of the demonstration. The situation was even more drastic for the Musée Delacroix, historically linked to the Louvre, which closed its doors completely, advising art lovers to reschedule their visits for the following days.

The impact on France's major cultural institutions was significant and also involved other prominent institutions: the Musée d'Orsay announced the complete closure of its rooms, while the National Library of France limited access to some spaces, such as the historic Salle Labrouste, which was closed for the entire afternoon. In previous weeks, the Louvre had also been marked by strikes and protests due to difficult working conditions and the growing influx of visitors, with staff denouncing the chronic shortage of security and reception staff during peak tourist periods.

The "Bloquons tout" movement sought to paralyze hundreds of public and private businesses, choosing museums as a symbol of the cultural wealth to be defended against the austerity measures implemented by the government in response to the state budget difficulties. The social unrest sweeping the city has deep roots: the protests arose in solidarity with all public and private sector workers, including those in personal services, transportation, and healthcare, who fear cuts in resources and staff reductions.

September 10th saw several epicenters of protests and marches, including outside museums, with more than 200 arrests recorded in the Paris metropolitan area alone, and tensions erupting in the Les Halles neighborhood and near the main train stations. Meanwhile, calls for "block everything" to make the voices of those most exposed to the cuts heard have multiplied on social media. The unions have declared that the protests will not stop and have already scheduled a new demonstration for September 18th, this time targeting public transport (RATP) and urban mobility services.

The closure of the Louvre and the entire Musée Delacroix has remained in the collective memory as a rare event, given the privileged and symbolic position of these institutions as world heritage sites. Visitors, however, have responded with great maturity: many expressed solidarity with the striking workers, aware that protecting culture also involves defending the rights of those who make it accessible every day. Museum management has reiterated that every measure has been taken to ensure the safety of both heritage and visitors, and that activities will resume as normal in the coming days.

This remains a highly sensitive period for France, both socially and politically: the "Bloquons tout" movement is just one manifestation of broader dissatisfaction with austerity policies and the reduction of public services. Public opinion remains polarized: on the one hand, the government denounces radical tendencies and blames the left-wing opposition for the escalation of protests; on the other, fringes of civil society and trade unions feel the need for a more attentive and less penalizing response to key sectors, such as culture and education.

Yesterday's event also left a profound impact on future strategies for managing France's museum heritage, once again placing the relationship between the quality of cultural offerings and the dignity of work at the forefront. Attention remains high on how the coming months could see further protests and closures, confirming that the issue will not be easily resolved. Meanwhile, Paris continues to question its priorities as it seeks to reconcile tourist appeal, job protection, and the defense of cultural excellence.