A significant water leak at the renowned Louvre Museum in Paris has led to extensive damage to hundreds of invaluable works, occurring just weeks after a daring daylight theft of priceless French crown jewels from the same institution. This incident raises concerns about the museum's infrastructure and security measures, which have come under scrutiny following recent events.
The museum's deputy administrator, Francis Steinbock, reported that between 300 to 400 works have been affected by the leak, predominantly comprising books. This count is still ongoing as the museum assesses the full extent of the damage. Mr. Steinbock informed French media that the leak originated in the Egyptian department, impacting volumes that are primarily consulted by Egyptologists. Fortunately, he confirmed that no precious books were involved in this incident.
The issue that led to the water leak had been known for several years, and repairs are slated to take place next year. Mr. Steinbock mentioned that the affected volumes consist of Egyptology journals and scientific documentation from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. To mitigate the damage, the volumes will undergo drying procedures, followed by professional restoration by a bookbinder before being returned to their rightful place on the shelves.
Mr. Steinbock reassured the public and stakeholders that no heritage artefacts were damaged during this incident. In a statement to the Agence France-Presse news agency, he emphasized, “At this stage, we have no irreparable and definitive losses in these collections.” This is a crucial point for the museum, given its status as a global cultural icon.
This leak represents the third major challenge faced by the Louvre Museum in the span of three months. In November, structural weaknesses necessitated the partial closure of a gallery that houses Greek vases and associated offices. Additionally, on October 19, a group of four burglars executed a brazen heist, making off with jewels valued at €88 million (£76 million; $102 million), highlighting serious security vulnerabilities within the museum. As a precaution, the Louvre has since relocated some of its most treasured jewels to the Bank of France.
In light of these incidents, a report released in October by France’s public audit body, known as the Cour des Comptes, criticized the Louvre’s management for excessive spending on acquiring artwork. The report indicated that such expenditures have been detrimental to the maintenance and renovation of the museum's historic buildings. This situation poses a pressing need for the museum to reevaluate its priorities to ensure both the preservation of its collection and the safety of its infrastructure.
As the Louvre Museum continues to navigate these challenges, the focus remains on restoring the damaged works and improving security measures to protect its invaluable heritage for future generations.