Louvre closed as staff strike over working conditions, weeks after €88m jewel heist

The Louvre in Paris, the world's most-visited museum, was closed on Monday after workers walked out on strike in protest against working conditions and other complaints, dealing another blow to the landmark after an embarrassing jewellery heist in October.

The CFDT union said the vote was taken at a meeting of 400 workers on Monday morning and that they decided to strike for the day.

Striking workers with flags, banners and placards blocked the museum’s iconic glass pyramid entrance.

An updated notice on the Louvre's website said it was "exceptionally" closed for the day and that ticket holders would be reimbursed.

Labour leaders said the strike vote was unanimous. It was not immediately clear whether the work stoppage will last longer than one day.

The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. Employees could meet again on Wednesday to decide whether to stay out or go back to work.

"It's really sad, because I was really looking forward to this," said Lindsey Hall, a disappointed would-be visitor from Sacramento, California.

She had been planning to enjoy the museum's huge collection of art and artefacts with a friend, describing it as "one of those life experiences you crave."

"This is just an epic collection of art and something that every human should see," she said. "I can see the other side of it, like if you are the person that works in the museum and how that can be, like day after day after day."