WATER LEAK AT THE LOUVRE DAMAGES EGYPTIAN ARCHIVES, DEEPENS INTERNAL CRISIS AND TRIGGERS STAFF STRIKE
The Louvre again comes under scrutiny amid growing tensions and internal discontent. Pressure on its management intensifies as new setbacks emerge.
A water leak at the Louvre Museum has damaged between 300 and 400 books and documents from the Egyptology department, fueling fresh criticism over the deteriorating condition of the French institution and prompting a staff strike set for December 15.
The incident, which occurred on November 26 in the Mollien wing, was caused by the accidental opening of a valve connected to an obsolete plumbing and ventilation system. Water soaked magazines, books and documents from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and seeped into a lower floor housing an electrical cabinet, creating a fire risk and taking nearby offices out of service.
Museum officials said the materials, regularly used by researchers, are not unique heritage items and most can be restored. “We have no irreparable losses,” deputy general administrator Francis Steinbock told BFM TV. The documents are being dried and will then be sent to bookbinders for conservation.
The faulty ventilation system had long been known, but repairs were scheduled for September 2026. According to art historian Didier Rykner, this was not the first leak reported in the area.
The incident follows a series of troubles that have cast doubt on the Louvre’s infrastructure and operational capacity. In October, a gang of thieves used a truck-mounted ladder to access the Apollo Gallery and steal nine pieces, including historical jewels valued at more than $100 million. The heist prompted criticism over outdated security systems.
The museum, which received 8.7 million visitors last year, has also faced closures due to structural concerns. In November, part of the south Sully wing was shut after weaknesses were detected in several beams. Weeks earlier, an internal memo had warned of leaks, overcrowding and growing damage throughout the museum.
Management recently announced a 45% ticket price increase for visitors from outside the European Economic Area starting January 2026, intended to fund a major modernization plan. The state-led project, known as the “New Renaissance of the Louvre,” aims to renovate key facilities and build a dedicated room for the Mona Lisa by 2031, at an estimated cost of up to €800 million.
Unions argue these measures come too late. After news of the leak, a coalition of CGT, CFDT and Sud unions announced a continuous strike beginning December 15. In an assembly, 200 employees voted “unanimously” in favor of the walkout, citing worsening working conditions, staff shortages and increasing risks for both visitors and employees.
“Staff feel like the last line of defense before collapse,” the coalition wrote in a letter addressed to Culture Minister Rachida Dati. The unions are demanding the hiring of 200 additional workers and urgent improvements in safety and infrastructure.
The French Parliament will debate this week the preliminary findings of an investigation opened into the museum’s condition.