A water leak in late November damaged several hundred works in the Louvre's Egyptian department weeks after a brazen jewel theft raised concerns over its infrastructure.

Paris

The Louvre Museum in Paris experienced a water leak in late November that damaged approximately 400 rare books in its ancient Egypt research library. The leak, caused by an accidentally opened valve in the museum's ventilation and heating system, affected mostly 19th and 20th century books, which the museum says will be restored.

This incident has intensified scrutiny of the Louvre's infrastructure, following recent criticism from France's spending watchdog and warnings from the museum's leadership about ongoing maintenance issues. Labor unions representing Louvre staff have announced plans to strike in response to management decisions and deteriorating working conditions.

Louvre says hundreds of works damaged by water leak in late November

It is an accident that adds to an already touchy situation. With the Louvre's aging infrastructure currently a sensitive issue after these made off with 88 million euros worth of jewels the most visited museum in the world is again being called out for how it protects its artwork. A specialist website La Tribune de l'Art broke the story and it was then confirmed by the museum's deputy administrator. In late November an area of the ancient Egypt department flooded. A valve in the museum's ventilation and heating system had been accidentally opened. Water seeped down into one of the museum's ancient Egypt research libraries. According to the museum around 400 rare but not precious books were damaged. The museum said the mostly 19th and 20th century books will be restored. But the flood is yet another reminder of the Louvre's aging infrastructure. Last month France's spending watchdog called out the museum for prioritizing purchases of artwork over spending on less visible upgrades to the aging 800-year-old former palace. And before that in early 2025 the head of the museum warned the culture ministry of multiple issues in a confidential letter. Concerns shared by workers unions. It's becoming unbearable. There are leaks in the roof. The elevators don't work anymore. The plumbing breaks from one end to the other. The Louvre's three main labor unions say they plan to strike over their management's decisions starting Monday December 15th.

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London

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Breakdown