Louvre Museum Grapples with Water Leak Damage and Jewel Heist
The Louvre Museum in Paris faced a water leak damaging hundreds of Egyptian works and a separate jewel heist in the Apollo Gallery, prompting modernization efforts and ticket price increases.
Overview
An accidental valve opening in the heating and ventilation system caused a water leak, damaging hundreds of works in the Egyptian department of the Louvre Museum.
Between 300 and 400 works, including books and rare books from the late 19th to early 20th century, were affected by the water damage.
The museum's obsolete system was shut down, with repairs and a full replacement scheduled for September 2026, as damaged books undergo drying and restoration.
Separately, thieves used a truck-mounted ladder to raid the Apollo Gallery, stealing jewels worth millions in a swift operation.
The Louvre plans to raise ticket prices for non-EU visitors to increase annual revenues, funding a modernization program following these incidents.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, presenting factual information about the Louvre's water leak and its connection to a prior jewel heist. They focus on reporting official statements regarding the damage, its cause, and planned remedies, alongside details of security measures and funding initiatives. The coverage avoids loaded language or overt editorial judgment, allowing readers to form their own conclusions.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The water leak in the Egyptian department was caused by an accidental opening of a valve in the museum's heating and ventilation system.
Between 300 and 400 works were damaged, including books and rare books dating from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.
Following the heist, the Louvre is implementing increased security measures as part of a broader modernization program funded in part by raising ticket prices for non-EU visitors.
The obsolete heating and ventilation system was shut down immediately, with full repairs and replacement scheduled to be completed by September 2026.
Ticket prices are being raised for non-EU visitors to increase annual revenue, which will help fund the museum's modernization program and cover costs related to the recent incidents.
History
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