Students block Paris’s Louvre over alleged police repression and in support of high-school protests, delaying the museum’s opening

Students blocked access to the Louvre Museum in Paris on Monday to denounce what they described as police repression and support ongoing high-school protests, delaying the museum’s opening beyond its usual 9 a.m. time, French media reported. Le Parisien cited museum management and trade unions in its account of the delayed opening.

Museum management said the protest was not directly related to the Louvre, describing the institution as being used as an “echo chamber.” The CGT union said the museum would remain closed at least until noon.

Students from the École du Louvre led the action, with students from the National School of Fine Arts also taking part, according to the CFDT union. Protesters presented the blockade as part of a broader struggle for the right to study, work and live freely in decent conditions.

The action follows a high-school protest movement that began in mid-September. It came two days after nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living, which involved unrest in several French cities. Protests over rising living costs and poor school conditions began on September 28.

Students cited a shortage of teachers and dilapidated school buildings, accusing the government of trying to push young people out of higher education. Sharp increases in petrol, energy and food prices have added to public anger over living standards and deteriorating public services ahead of an expected presidential election.