They saw policemen instead of the Mona Lisa. Disappointed tourists walk around Paris

On Saturday (October 24), the famous Parisian museums were closed, including: The Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Pablo Picasso Museum, Grand Palais, Musée de l'Orangerie - the national art museum in the Tuileries Gardens, and Jeu de Paume. The Ministry of Culture emphasized that the priority is the safety of visitors and the protection of employees. The large demonstration in Paris announced for Saturday may be accompanied by riots, as was the case last week.

Bad moment

And although the information about the closure of museums was announced a few days ago, some tourists did not hide their surprise and disappointment.

When we arrived in Paris, we thought there might be some problem (with the announced protest - editor's note), but we didn't think the museum would be closed, 31-year-old Italian Selena Bertoni told a Reuters reporter, standing in front of the closed Museo d'Orsay.

She bought two tickets to the museum earlier and paid 50 euros for them. Bad moment, she said.

This is the third museum we have visited and the third one that is closed, 21-year-old French tourist Heidi Rosar told a Reuters reporter.

At the Louvre, closed black iron gates blocked access to the entire museum grounds and garden. We at least wanted to see the pyramid, complained 67-year-old Canadian Don Nowschuk, referring to the characteristic glass entrance to the museum.

Nowschuk admitted that he has been in Paris for two days, but the authorities' reaction seems excessive to him. There are so many services everywhere that one could assume that they would be enough to also secure the museum, he said. It's a bit strange to see so many policemen with guns in Paris. We are used to weapons, but not to such scenes, he added.

How could we know?

On Friday, community centers posted warnings about closures, but some people didn't think to check.