Louvre visitors tell of stillness as Paris museum reopens
EARLY VISITORS to Paris’ Louvre as it reopened after four months have spoken of the stillness of the normally bustling museum as guests are limited to smaller numbers.
The giant museum, equivalent in size to 230 tennis courts and home to the Mona Lisa, has now opened around 70 per cent of its arthouse to visitors.
Zino Vandenbeaghen, who travelled from Belgium to visit the unusual quiet setting, was among the trickle of early returning tourists.
“It’s super,” he said. “The ideal moment to visit.”
Parisian tour guides had gathered in protest outside the museum as it opened its doors yesterday, claiming the French government had not done enough to help those working in the country’s tourism industry.
Masks are now compulsory on visits, and the museum has introduced a one-way system.
The bulk of visitors to what was the world’s most-visited museum before the pandemic used to come from overseas, led by travellers from the United States, but Americans are still barred from the EU as it gradually reopening its borders.
The Louvre is hoping the reopening will attract visitors from closer to home, including the Paris region, but is bracing for a plunge in numbers.
Jean-Luc Martinez, the museum director, has previously warned of major financial losses and said the museum was expecting just 7,000 visitors on its opening day, compared to an average of 50,000 in the busiest summer months.
But while visitor numbers are lower, he added, it does mean every person will get the chance to stand in front of the Mona Lisa, which is usually surrounded by crowds.
“It’s very emotional for all the teams that have prepared this reopening,” he said.