Louvre, Orsay, Picasso museums to close Saturday ahead of nationwide protests

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Louvre, Orsay and Picasso museums in Paris will remain closed on Saturday due to new planned demonstrations, the French government said Thursday.

The Culture Ministry also urged all institutions under its supervision to take measures to ensure “the safety of visitors,” “the protection of staff” and “the preservation of works.”

The closures come as authorities tighten security ahead of new nationwide protests.

Jean-Didier Berger, France’s minister delegate to the Interior Ministry, told broadcaster BFMTV that authorities were maintaining a “maximum level of vigilance,” with security force deployments set to be 20% higher than during demonstrations on Oct. 17.

He said leave had been canceled and personnel recalled. Sentinelle military forces and specialist police units, including the GIGN and RAID, would also be deployed.

President Emmanuel Macron said demonstrations not organized by trade unions would be banned in the coming days, particularly on the weekend, “wherever possible.” Prefects would examine requests submitted by unions.

Authorities have banned demonstrations across Lyon and in central Toulon for Saturday, while shopkeepers have been urged to secure premises and remove objects that could be used to cause damage.

Yellow Vest demonstrators and students rallied nationwide last weekend over living costs and fuel prices. Violence and damage to businesses and public buildings prompted localized curfews.

Unions have also called a nationwide strike and protest day for Nov. 5.

Necva Taştan Sevinç