In brief
A recent water leak at the Louvre museum has affected between 300 to 400 books in the Egyptian department, although no precious artifacts were damaged. Officials revealed that the leak was a long-known issue and repairs are scheduled for the next year. This incident follows a series of security problems including a significant jewelry heist and structural concerns, raising alarms about the museum's preservation efforts.
A water leak at the Louvre museum in Paris has damaged hundreds of works, just weeks after thieves stole priceless French crown jewels from the museum in broad daylight. The museum's deputy administrator, Francis Steinbock, said between 300-400 works, mostly books, were affected by the leak - and that the count was ongoing. Mr. Steinbock told French media the damage occurred in the Egyptian department and that the volumes are 'those consulted by Egyptologists', but that 'no precious books' were affected. The problem that caused the leak, discovered in late November, had been known for years, with repairs scheduled for next year, Mr. Steinbock added. The volumes will be dried, sent to a bookbinder, and restored before being returned to the shelves. Mr. Steinbock described the books as 'Egyptology journals' and 'scientific documentation' from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He emphasized that no heritage artifacts have been affected by this incident, declaring, 'At this stage, we have no irreparable and definitive losses in these collections.' This leak marks the third major issue faced by the museum—one of the world's most visited—in the past few months. In November, structural weaknesses led to the partial closure of galleries housing Greek vases, and in October, four burglars made off with jewels valued at €88 million, revealing serious security lapses. Those jewels remain unrecovered, prompting the museum to relocate some of its most precious items to the Bank of France. A recent report from France’s public audit organization, the Cour des Comptes, criticized the Louvre for prioritizing artistic acquisitions over maintaining and renovating its facilities.}
