Paris museums close, blocking Mona Lisa view amid protest fears

Paris museums, including the Louvre, closed Saturday as a precaution ahead of planned demonstrations, blocking tourists from seeing the Mona Lisa and other artworks. The shutdown followed recent nationwide protests over living costs that turned violent. The closures affected major cultural sites like the Musée d'Orsay, Orangerie, Picasso museum, and the Tuileries Gardens, with the Paris Opera and Art Basel fair also suspending activities. Disappointed visitors, some who paid for tickets, said they received insufficient warning. Authorities imposed localised curfews and heightened security, including armed police patrols, after last week's protests sparked some of France's worst street violence in years. Some tourists questioned whether the extensive precautions were necessary.