Water Leak at Louvre Museum Causes Extensive Damage to Hundreds of Books

Unionized staff at the Musée du Louvre in Paris have warned of an impending strike if improvements to working conditions are not made, amidst ongoing turmoil at the museum. This announcement follows recent events highlighting the museum’s urgent need for renovation. A water leak on November 26 resulted in damage to 300-400 books in the Egyptian Antiquities department’s library, drawing further attention to infrastructure issues. Francis Steinbock, the museum’s deputy director general, confirmed that no patrimonial works were harmed.

This incident came shortly after a temporary closure of the Greek Ceramics gallery due to ceiling concerns, and less than a month after the brazen theft of crown jewels. These events underscore Louvre Director Laurence des Cars’s earlier warnings about the museum’s dilapidated state. In response, a multi-phase overhaul plan called “Nouvelle Renaissance” was initiated to address structural, visitor experience, and security issues. To fund renovations, admission fees for non-European Economic Area visitors will increase by 45% in January 2026.

The fee hike has been criticized by unions for compromising public service equality and disproportionately affecting non-European visitors. On December 8, three unions—Syndicat National des Musées et Domaines-CGT, Confédération Française Démocratique du Travail, and Solidaires Unitaires Démocratiques—issued a strike notice to the French Minister of Culture, demanding the cancellation of the fee increase, use of Louvre Abu Dhabi licensing funds for renovations, and addressing long-standing staffing issues. The unions argue for expanding staff, incorporating employee insights into decision-making, and reducing workloads. Hyperallergic reached out to these unions for further comments.