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Louvre Closes Gallery Amid Structural Concerns

The Louvre Museum has temporarily closed its Campana Gallery due to structural issues, adding to scrutiny after a recent high-profile jewel heist.

Source: bbc.co.uk1 min read
Louvre Closes Gallery Amid Structural Concerns
Image via bbc.co.uk

In brief

The Louvre Museum in Paris has shut down the Campana Gallery, which showcases Greek ceramics, due to structural weaknesses. The closure occurs amidst increased scrutiny of the museum's security following a recent jewel heist valued at €88 million. Engineers are currently investigating concerns related to supporting beams in the gallery's structure.

The Louvre museum in Paris has announced it is closing one of its galleries because of structural weaknesses.

The Campana Gallery - consisting of nine rooms which host Greek ceramics - will remain shut as engineers investigate certain beams supporting the floors, the Louvre said.

The announcement adds to the museum's unwelcome attention following a high-profile heist last month in which jewels worth €88m (£76m; $102m) were taken.

Criticism has focused on lax security at the world's most-visited museum in the French capital.

Four people have been arrested over the heist, but the jewels have not been recovered.

In a statement on Monday, the Louvre said that structural issues in offices on the second floor - above the Campana Gallery in the Sully wing of the museum - had led to its decision.

During these investigations, the Campana Gallery... will be closed to the public as a precautionary measure, it said.

Three weeks after the jewel theft, a report was released in which the Court of Auditors criticised managers who had preferred to invest in new artworks and exhibitions rather than basic upkeep and protection of the museum.

Basing its findings on the years 2018-24, the report found the museum had spent €105.4m (£92.7m) on buying new artworks and €63.5m on exhibition spaces.

But at the same time it spent only €26.7m on maintenance works, and €59.5m on restoration of the palace building.

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