Louvre Faces Infrastructure Crisis After Book Damage and Heist

A significant leak in the Louvre Museum has led to the damage of hundreds of books, just weeks after a high-profile theft of jewellery. The incident, which occurred in the museum’s Egyptian antiquities department, has raised alarms about the deteriorating state of the world’s most-visited museum. According to a Louvre administrator, between 300 to 400 books are estimated to have been affected, although the exact count is still ongoing.

Francis Steinbock, a representative of the museum, confirmed to a French broadcaster that the leak impacted one of the three rooms in the library dedicated to Egyptian antiquities. While the volumes lost were not considered precious, Steinbock acknowledged that the leak’s issue has been recognized for years, with repairs slated for September 2024. The leak occurred last month, but details of the damage were only disclosed recently.

The Louvre’s infrastructure has faced increasing scrutiny following recent events. Just last month, the Campana gallery, which displays ancient Greek ceramics, was temporarily closed due to structural weaknesses. This ongoing deterioration raises concerns regarding the preservation of both artefacts and the museum’s facilities.

This leak comes on the heels of a daring theft at the museum, described by many as the “heist of the century.” In a meticulously planned operation, a gang of thieves executed a seven-minute smash-and-grab, stealing jewellery worth tens of millions of euros. The thieves, described as “highly organised,” accessed the museum by scaling its exterior. They used power tools, including chainsaws, to break through a window and gain entry.

During the heist, the gang managed to seize nine valuable pieces from the Napoleon and Empress Joséphine collection. Among these was the renowned Eugénie Crown, an exquisite piece from 1855 adorned with thousands of diamonds and emeralds. Notably, one piece was accidentally dropped during their escape. After the theft, the gang made their getaway on scooters, heading towards the A6 motorway.

French police have arrested seven individuals linked to the theft, but the stolen jewellery remains unaccounted for. Reports indicate that the gang attempted to engage with the Israeli security firm CGI Group, offering part of the stolen treasures on the dark web. According to BILD, Zvika Nave, the head of CGI Group, stated that a person posing as a representative of the thieves contacted them five days after the robbery.

As the Louvre grapples with these recent challenges, the focus now shifts to the museum’s ability to safeguard its invaluable collection and maintain its infrastructure. The ongoing issues raise broader questions about the management of cultural heritage in one of the world’s most iconic institutions.