Water Leak at Louvre Damages Rare Egyptian Antiquities Books

A significant water leak at the Louvre Museum in Paris has resulted in damage to hundreds of rare books housed within the Egyptian antiquities department. The incident, which occurred last month, has raised concerns about the museum’s deteriorating infrastructure, particularly following a high-profile jewel theft that highlighted security vulnerabilities.

According to the specialist website La Tribune de l’Art, approximately 400 rare books were impacted by the leak, which has been attributed to the poor condition of the museum’s plumbing. The Egyptian antiquities department has long sought funding to mitigate such risks but has been unsuccessful in securing the necessary financial support.

Francis Steinbock, the deputy administrator of the Louvre, disclosed in an interview with BFM TV that the leak affected one of the three rooms within the library of the Egyptian antiquities department. “We have identified between 300 and 400 works; the count is ongoing,” Steinbock stated. He clarified that the damaged items included books frequently consulted by Egyptologists, though none of the lost works were classified as precious.

The issue of plumbing deterioration at the Louvre is not new. Steinbock acknowledged that this problem has been recognized for years, with necessary repairs now scheduled for September 2026. This timeline has raised further questions about the museum’s commitment to preserving its collection and addressing structural vulnerabilities.

The recent water leak is compounded by a robbery that occurred on October 19, 2023, when four individuals brazenly stole jewels valued at US$102 million from the museum. This incident exposed glaring security gaps at one of the world’s most visited cultural institutions. In response to these ongoing challenges, the museum partially closed one of its galleries in November due to structural weaknesses, affecting the display of Greek vases and associated offices.

A report released by France’s public audit body, the Cour des Comptes, in October highlighted the Louvre’s struggles with infrastructure updates. The report indicated that excessive spending on acquiring artwork has hindered the museum’s ability to maintain and enhance its facilities.

The combination of these issues—water damage, security breaches, and infrastructural decay—raises serious concerns about the Louvre’s capacity to protect its invaluable collections for future generations. As the museum approaches its scheduled repairs, the art world will be watching closely to see how it addresses these pressing challenges.