Last month, a water leak caused significant damage to hundreds of books in the Egyptian antiquities section at the Louvre, highlighting the declining state of the world’s most popular museum. This incident comes just weeks after a brazen jewel heist revealed security vulnerabilities.
According to La Tribune de l’Art, a specialized publication, approximately 400 rare books were impacted due to poor pipe conditions. The department has reportedly been seeking funding to safeguard the collection from such dangers, but without success.
Francis Steinbock, the deputy administrator of the Louvre, told BFM TV that the leak affected one of the three rooms within the Egyptian antiquities department’s library.
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“We have identified between 300 and 400 affected works, with the count ongoing,” he stated, noting that the damaged books were “those used by Egyptologists, not valuable books.”
He admitted the issue had been known for years and mentioned that repairs are planned for September 2026.
Previously, on October 19, four thieves stole jewels valued at $102 million in broad daylight, highlighting serious security lapses at the Louvre.
In November, structural issues led to the partial closure of a gallery displaying Greek vases and some offices.
An October report by France’s public audit body, the Cour des Comptes, indicated that the museum’s failure to upgrade its infrastructure was worsened by excessive spending on art acquisitions.
