Protesters angry over President Emmanuel Macron’s move to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a final vote on the matter by parliament blocked the Louvre museum in Paris today, disappointing crowds of visitors.

Dozens of protesters – along with cultural workers – gathered around the glass pyramid of the Louvre. One banner read ‘Retirement at 60 – Working Less to Live Longer’.

A long queue of disappointed tourists was at that time in the courtyard of the Louvre.

“It’s a shame we can’t go in,” said one tourist from Australia, but added, “I can understand these people having political reasons.”

A Louvre tour guide came out to address the visitors. “We hope you understand our reasons,” he told them.

The protest came a day before a 10th round of nationwide strike action and demonstrations and following violence in cities across France over changes to the pension system.

In another development, Paris police announced an operation to prevent unlicensed gatherings in front of the Center Pompidou, another major Paris museum.