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Parts of the Louvre Museum in Paris have been closed to visitors after a serious water leak was detected overnight, affecting several gallery sections and raising concerns about potential damage to artwork dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries.
According to a report by French broadcaster BFMTV, the incident was discovered in the museum’s Duchatel section, identified as gallery 707. Technical teams on site reportedly classified the situation as an emergency situation, prompting immediate action to secure the area and prevent further deterioration.
Following the discovery, galleries numbered 706, 707 and 708 were shut down to the public. The leak is believed to have originated from an upper floor, with initial assessments suggesting a sewer-related issue as the likely cause.
As crews moved in to contain the situation, scaffolding was quickly set up inside the affected zone. The ceiling in the impacted area is thought to have suffered significant structural damage, although a full assessment has yet to be publicly detailed.
The galleries where the leak occurred house numerous works dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, a period broadly associated with the European Renaissance. An unnamed source indicated that multiple pieces may have sustained damage, though the extent of that damage has not been officially confirmed.
The Louvre, widely regarded as one of the world’s most visited museums, holds collections spanning thousands of years of human history. Any disruption within its exhibition spaces typically draws international attention due to the cultural significance of the artworks on display.
This is not the first time the museum has faced water-related issues in recent months. On Nov. 26, 2025, a separate leak was reported in the museum’s library dedicated to ancient Egyptian collections. That incident resulted in damage to various books and archival documents.
While museum officials have not yet released a comprehensive statement detailing the latest incident’s full impact, affected sections remain closed as technical teams continue to address the problem and evaluate potential damage.
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