Parisian museums to close on Saturday amid fears of civil unrest

French authorities have ordered the closure of major cultural institutions in Paris, including the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, and the Picasso Museum, this Saturday, October 24. The decision follows the widespread riots, looting, and violent clashes between protesters and police that occurred across France on October 17. The French Ministry of Culture issued a directive to these institutions, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring the safety of visitors and staff, as well as the protection of artistic collections.

In addition to the museum closures, the Art Basel Paris exhibition at the Grand Palais, which features 211 galleries, has canceled its weekend schedule to restrict public access. While a protest held on Thursday evening in Paris concluded peacefully, authorities anticipate significantly larger turnouts for the demonstrations planned for Saturday. The government remains on high alert following the severe destruction of property and arson incidents reported during the previous weekend's unrest.