Paris, January 5, 2026 – France's self-employed general practitioners and specialists, known as médecins libéraux, began a nationwide 10-day strike on Monday, protesting provisions in the newly adopted 2026 Social Security Financing Law (PLFSS). The action, supported by a broad coalition of medical unions, is expected to close most private practices and disrupt non-emergency care until January 15. Separately, staff at the Louvre Museum voted unanimously to resume a pre-holiday strike, limiting visitor access amid ongoing disputes over working conditions.
The doctors' strike, described by unions as "unprecedented in scope and unity," targets what practitioners call an "authoritarian" overhaul of healthcare financing and regulation. Key grievances include insufficient funding amid rising patient needs, stricter controls on sick-leave prescriptions (now limited to one month initially in most cases), and new powers allowing authorities to unilaterally reduce reimbursement rates for certain procedures without union consultation.
Franck Devulder, president of the Confederation of French Medical Trade Unions (CSMF), acknowledged the impact on patients during an interview with France Inter radio: "We know very well that when we go on strike, we put hospitals under strain and we place the population in a more uncomfortable situation, as with any strike action." He reported a participation rate exceeding 85% among CSMF members. Similar high adherence is anticipated across the profession, with unions estimating 80-85% of France's approximately 130,000 liberal doctors joining the walkout.
The movement unites seven major unions, including MG France, CSMF, SML, FMF, UFML-S, Avenir Spé–Le Bloc, and others, alongside medical students and collectives. Protests are planned, including major demonstrations in Paris on January 7 and 10, with a national march from the Panthéon to the Health Ministry scheduled for January 10.
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist has warned that requisitions—compelling doctors to work in essential services—could be enforced if public health is endangered. Regional Health Agencies are coordinating continuity of care, urging patients to use pharmacies for minor issues, on-call services, or emergency departments for urgent needs. Private clinics anticipate significant operating theater closures from January 10-14.
The PLFSS 2026, adopted in December after contentious parliamentary debates, aims to curb deficits but has been criticized for undermining private practice autonomy. Doctors argue it exacerbates medical deserts and administrative burdens, potentially driving more practitioners to retire or relocate.
Patients are advised to postpone non-urgent appointments and check platforms like Doctolib for available slots, as some doctors may provide limited care or administrative strikes.
In a separate development, around 350 Louvre employees from operations, conservation, and support roles voted unanimously in a general assembly to resume strike action suspended over the holidays. The walkout protests understaffing, building deterioration (highlighted by recent issues like leaks and a high-profile October 2025 jewel heist), and insufficient progress in talks with the Culture Ministry.
The museum remains partially open, restricting visitors to a "masterpieces route" featuring icons like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace. Unions, led by CFDT, CGT, and Sud, deem ministry concessions—such as canceling a €5.7 million funding cut and promising recruitments—inadequate. The CGT declared on social media: "The struggle continues in 2026."
These concurrent actions underscore broader labor tensions in France's public and healthcare sectors as the new year begins.
