France protests prompt closure of Paris’ Louvre and Art Basel fair

PARIS (CBS, KYMA) - Fears of renewed turmoil have prompted several of Paris' best-known cultural institutions, including the Louvre, to close Saturday, on a second day of widespread protests after last weekend brought riots and looting on the sidelines of nationwide demonstrations.

The French capital's normally bustling Art Basel fair will also remain shut throughout the weekend.

France's main student union, UNEF, has called for rallies on Saturday, while the Yellow Vest movement, an anti-establishment force that emerged in 2018, filed plans this week for a march through central Paris.

Despite the museum closures, art history student Charlotte Bodon said she supports the movement.

"We know that for now, this is annoying, but it’s important for this to be a sounding board in order to shed light on the matters that are really precious and important for us today," she said.

The Louvre is the world's most visited museum, with about nine million visitors last year.