Students Block Louvre Museum in Paris Over Cost-of-Living Protests

Students blocked the entrance to the Louvre Museum in Paris on Monday, supporting ongoing cost-of-living protests and denouncing police repression. The blockade delayed the museum's opening beyond its usual 9 am time, according to management and trade unions. Students from the Ecole du Louvre led the action, while the CFDT trade union said students from the National School of Fine Arts also took part. Museum management said the protest was not directly related to the Louvre, describing the institution as being used “as an echo chamber”.

The protests began on September 28, driven by rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. Students cited a shortage of teachers and “dilapidated buildings”, and accused the government of trying to push young people out of higher education. The action follows a high school protest movement that began in mid-September and comes two days after nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living, which were marred by unrest in several French cities.