A water leak in late November damaged several hundred items in the Louvre’s Egyptian department, the Paris museum announced on Sunday. This incident follows a recent high-profile jewel theft that had already raised questions about the museum’s infrastructure.
Francis Steinbock, the museum’s deputy administrator, said “between 300 and 400 works” were affected by the leak, which was discovered on November 26. He described the damaged items as “Egyptology journals” and “scientific documentation” used by researchers. The materials date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and, while “extremely useful,” were “by no means unique.”
Steinbock emphasized that “no heritage artefacts have been affected by this damage,” adding that “at this stage, we have no irreparable and definitive losses in these collections.”
The leak was caused by the accidental opening of a valve in the heating and ventilation system, allowing water to seep through the ceiling of the Mollien wing where the books were stored. The museum stated there will be an internal investigation. The system, described as “completely obsolete,” had been shut down for months and is scheduled for replacement starting in September 2026.
The damaged works will be dried, sent to a bookbinder for restoration, and then returned to the shelves.
This comes after an October theft in which a four-person gang stole jewelry valued at an estimated $102 million from the museum in broad daylight, escaping in just seven minutes. That event sparked debate over the Louvre’s aging infrastructure.
In a related move, the Louvre recently announced it will raise ticket prices for most non-EU visitors—including those from the US, UK, and China—to €32. The 45% increase aims to boost annual revenues by up to $23 million to fund structural improvements. The museum welcomed 8.7 million visitors in 2024, 69% of whom were from abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Water Leak at the Louvre Museum
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What happened at the Louvre
A water leak occurred in a storage area damaging hundreds of artworks The museum confirmed the incident and is assessing the full extent
2 How many artworks were affected
Preliminary reports indicate hundreds of pieces were damaged The exact number and a complete list are still being compiled by museum officials
3 What kind of artworks were damaged
The leak affected items in a storage area While specific pieces havent been fully disclosed such areas often contain paintings drawings prints frames and sculptures that are not currently on public display
4 Was the famous Mona Lisa damaged
No The leak was in a separate storage facility not in the public galleries Iconic works like the Mona Lisa are housed in highly secure climatecontrolled environments and were not involved
5 What caused the leak
The exact cause is under investigation Initial reports suggest it was linked to a plumbing issue or a faulty sprinkler system in the storage area
Advanced Practical Questions
6 What does damaged mean for an artwork
Damage can range from minor to severe Each piece requires individual assessment by conservators
7 How does a museum repair waterdamaged art
Specialist art conservators use meticulous techniques This can involve controlled drying cleaning stabilizing flaking paint treating mold and repairing supports The process is slow expensive and requires a deep understanding of the materials
8 Why is this such a big deal if the art was in storage
Art in storage is still part of our shared cultural heritage often used for research loans to other museums or future exhibitions These works have historical and artistic value and their loss or damage is a setback for preservation efforts
9 Could this have been prevented
Museums have extensive prevention systems This incident highlights that risks always exist and underscores the need for constant maintenance updated infrastructure and disaster preparedness plans
10 What are the next steps for the Louvre
The immediate steps are 1 Complete the damage assessment 2
