Paris museums close as security forces prepare for renewed French protests

The Louvre and several other major museums in Paris closed on Saturday as French authorities prepared for potential violence during planned nationwide demonstrations. Fox News and the New York Post both reported that cultural attractions turned away tourists as security measures were heightened across the capital city. The closures follow destructive unrest across France during the previous week. [1][2]

Fox News reported that the closure affected the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, the Picasso Museum, and the Grand Palais, citing The Associated Press. Visitors on Saturday morning were seen looking through locked gates at the Louvre, where notices had been posted to announce the temporary closure. [1]

To prevent renewed disorder, approximately 70,000 law enforcement officers were deployed across the country on Saturday, according to the New York Post. The outlet reported that demonstrations during the previous week involved people setting fires, storming public buildings, smashing shop windows, looting, and clashing with police forces in France's most violent unrest in years. [2]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, recent street violence led French officials to ban protests in parts of Paris. President Emmanuel Macron previously blamed organized ultra-left groups for the disorder, while opposition figures including Marine Le Pen criticized the government's response. [12][13]