Louvre Museum Shut Down, Visitors Evacuated As France Goes On 'High Alert'

The development comes in the wake of France being on “high alert” following an attack in northeastern town of Arras.

Louvre museum in Paris

New Delhi: Visitors were evacuated and the iconic Louvre museum in Paris was abruptly closed over “security reasons” on Saturday, news agency AFP reported. Taking to X, the museum wrote, “For security reasons, the Musee du Louvre is closing its doors today, Saturday, October 14.”

“Dear visitors, For security reasons, the #Louvre museum is closing its doors today, Saturday, October 14. People who have booked for a same-day visit will be refunded. We thank you for your understanding,” the post read.

The development comes in the wake of France being on “high alert” following an attack in northeastern town of Arras.

According to a report by news agency AP, the French government raised the threat alert and deployed 7,000 troops to step up security after a man stabbed a teacher to death and severely injured three others at a school on Friday.

As per a spokeswoman for the Louvre, the museum had received a written threat message. Louvre received a “written message stating that there was a risk to the museum and its visitors" the spokesperson told AFP.

"We have decided in the current national context of an 'emergency attack' alert to evacuate and close it for the day, while we carry out the necessary checks," the spokeswoman added.

The museum authorities further said that the visitors who had booked a ticket for the day would be reimbursed.

According to reports, police arrested the suspected attacker who shouted “Allahu akbar” (God is greatest) during the attack.

Speaking on the incident, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the stabbing took place in Arras, a city in northern France. Taking to X, he wrote, “A police operation took place at the Gambetta High School in Arras. The perpetrator was arrested by the police.”

According to a report by The New York Times, French President Emmanual Macron said that the country has been hit by the “barbarity of Islamist terrorism”.

Palace of Versailles Evacuated After Bomb Threat

Palace of Versailles in France was being evacuated after a bomb threat on Saturday, news agency AFP quoted police sources as saying.

According to the report, the alert came via an anonymous message. The palace would be closed at least for the rest of the day, officials told the news agency.