(Paris) The Louvre Museum in Paris was closed to the public on Monday due to a strike by its workers, who participated in the protest movement against the French government’s unpopular pension reform.

Dozens of Louvre employees blocked the entrance, forcing the museum to announce that it would be temporarily closed.

Protesters waved banners and flags outside the famous Louvre pyramid, where President Emmanuel Macron celebrated his presidential victory in 2017. They demanded the repeal of the new pensions law which raises the retirement age 62 to 64 years old.

The walkout comes on the eve of another nationwide protest scheduled for Tuesday against the bill – and as Mr Macron is holding a meeting with Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne to discuss the way forward.

With the Louvre still closed on Tuesdays, staff protested a day earlier.

Some tourists remained stoic in the face of this blockade.

“If you believe strongly that this will bring change, there are plenty of other things we can see in Paris,” remarked Britney Tate, a 29-year-old doctoral student from California.

Others who had traveled thousands of miles were more disappointed.

“We’re going to respect their strike tomorrow, but doing this today is just heartbreaking,” said Karma Carden, a tourist from Fort Myers, Florida.

“I understand why they are upset, but to do this to people all over the world who have traveled all over the world for this and paid thousands of dollars. »