Several famous museums in Paris, France, closed to visitors on 24 October. These included the Louvre Museum, where the Mona Lisa is kept, as well as the Musée d’Orsay, Musée de l’Orangerie, Jeu de Paume, and Picasso Museum. The Paris Opera’s main buildings stopped their shows, and city authorities also closed the Tuileries Gardens and stopped events at the Art Basel Paris art fair.

The French government closed these places to keep people safe before big national protests. These protests were about higher living costs, more expensive fuel, and fewer public services. The week before, protests had become violent, with looting, vandalism, and fires, so about 70,000 police officers were sent to protect the city.

Because of the closures, many tourists could not visit important artworks or enjoy planned events. Some visitors said they understood the need for safety, but others were disappointed. The government’s main goal was to prevent damage and injuries during a time of possible unrest.