This article was first published by The Art Newspaper.
Following scenes of looting and vandalism in several French cities, from Lyon to Limoges , on the sidelines of last weekend’s protests over the cost of living and in support of high school students, there is considerable apprehension on the eve of new demonstrations planned for this Saturday, 24 October. Curfews and bans on demonstrations are multiplying throughout France. In Paris, a march, the route of which has been approved by the police prefecture, will depart from the Place de la Bastille and proceed to the Place de la Nation. The government, overwhelmed by the violence of 17 October and heavily criticised since, has announced a reinforced security deployment.
In this highly tense context, shopkeepers are not the only ones to “close their doors”, or even barricade themselves in. Following the announcement of the early closure of the 2026 edition of the Art Basel Paris fair at the Grand Palais starting this Friday evening, several museums will remain closed this Saturday during the protests, for fear of further unrest.
The ministry of culture has announced the exceptional closure, as a security measure, of the Musée du Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and the Orangerie, and the Picasso National Museum in Paris. In coordination with the Paris Police Prefecture, the ministry “has asked all institutions under its supervision to implement all necessary measures to ensure the safety of visitors, the protection of staff, and the preservation of artworks,” according to a press release.
