Pipe Burst Floods Louvre’s Egyptian Antiquities Library, Damaging Hundreds of Rare Books
PARIS, France — The Louvre Museum is grappling with yet another blow to its treasured collections after a pipe burst caused flooding in the Egyptian antiquities library, damaging between 300 and 400 rare books. The flooding, which occurred in one of the three rooms housing the library, has added to the museum’s recent string of misfortunes, coming just weeks after a daring heist saw crown jewels worth over $100 million stolen from its Apollo Gallery.
Deputy administrator Francis Steinbock confirmed the extent of the damage during an interview with BFM TV, emphasizing that while many books were soaked, “no precious books” were lost in the incident. The damaged volumes primarily include periodicals and archaeology journals frequently used by Egyptologists, underscoring the significance of the library as a vital resource for scholars.
“We have identified between 300 and 400 works, the count is ongoing,” Steinbock said, noting that museum staff have begun painstaking efforts to dry the affected materials. Techniques include dehumidifying pages individually with specialized Buffard paper and modifying plants to prevent further deterioration.
The pipe burst has drawn attention to the Louvre’s aging infrastructure. According to reports from the art site La Tribune de l’Art, the department responsible for the Egyptian antiquities had long sought funding to upgrade and protect its collections from such risks. Steinbock acknowledged that the issue had been known for years and that repairs were scheduled for September 2026.
This incident follows the dramatic theft on October 19, 2025, when a four-person team executed a brazen daytime robbery in the Apollo Gallery, making off with crown jewels valued at approximately 88 million euros, or $102 million. The stolen items include a diamond-and-emerald necklace gifted by Napoleon to Empress Marie-Louise, jewels associated with 19th-century Queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense, and Empress Eugénie’s pearl-and-diamond tiara. While the emerald-set imperial crown of Napoleon III’s wife was recovered outside the museum, the majority of the jewels remain missing.
Authorities arrested four men suspected of involvement in the heist, with a woman also detained though she denies participation through her lawyer. The theft exposed significant security vulnerabilities at the Louvre, prompting calls for enhanced protection measures.
The flooding incident, while unrelated, has further spotlighted the challenges facing one of the world’s most visited museums. The National Park Service and other cultural preservation agencies emphasize the importance of maintaining infrastructure to safeguard irreplaceable collections from environmental hazards.
As the Louvre undertakes restoration and preventive measures, conservators are working diligently to salvage the damaged books, which represent an invaluable scholarly resource. The museum’s efforts align with best practices recommended by the American Library Association for disaster recovery in cultural institutions.
The recent string of setbacks underscores the delicate balance museums face in protecting both their collections and visitors. The Louvre, a symbol of cultural heritage and history, continues to navigate these challenges amid heightened public scrutiny and the imperative to preserve its treasures for future generations.
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