This device is provided for a luggage compartment designed to be placed overhead. The compartment comprises a mobile part (4) between an open position and a closed position and a mechanism for acting on said mobile part (4) to promote its closing. Said mobile part (4) presents an opening (14) designed for introducing and retrieving luggage as well as a lower exterior surface (12). The control device comprises detection means reacting when pressure is exerted on a predetermined zone of the lower exterior surface (12) of the mobile part (4) as well as for sending a control signal to the mechanism acting on the mobile part (4) to close the part when pressure is exerted on said detection means. The detection means are disposed at the lower exterior surface (12) of the mobile part (4).