Paris museums close Saturday over protest violence fears

The Louvre and other major Paris museums will close Saturday due to concerns about potential violence during planned protests, France's culture ministry announced. The Orsay and Picasso museums are also affected. The closures follow last Saturday's unrest, which included fires, looting, and clashes with police. The ministry cited visitor safety, staff protection, and artwork preservation as reasons. Art Basel Paris also canceled its weekend program, though it opened Friday. The protests stem from broader social tensions in France, marking the country's most violent unrest in years. While Thursday's protest was peaceful, Saturday's is expected to be larger, prompting precautionary measures across cultural institutions.