Amidst fears of escalating violence following a week of destructive riots, Paris’ most celebrated cultural landmarks, including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Picasso Museum, and Grand Palais, were shuttered on Saturday, leaving tourists peering through locked gates and disrupting major events like Art Basel Paris. The Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa, had already faced closures earlier in the week due to student protests blocking access, frustrating visitors who called the situation “shameful” and damaging to Paris’ image. French officials bolstered security nationwide with an extensive deployment of law enforcement, helicopters, and armored vehicles, while shopkeepers boarded up storefronts and police maintained a heightened presence in anticipation of further unrest. This precautionary shutdown and increased security measures come after approximately 3,000 businesses across France were damaged or looted during the previous weekend’s violent demonstrations, prompting the U.S. Embassy to warn Americans to avoid protest hotspots and be aware of potential travel disruptions and curfews in affected cities.
Adapted from: Travel News Today on Fox News
