Louvre risks closure without major overhaul warns museum director

The Louvre director warns the museum could close without urgent, comprehensive renovations.

The director of the Louvre warns that the Paris museum faces potential closure unless lawmakers approve a major infrastructure overhaul. Christophe Leribault notes that recurring leaks and deteriorating galleries mean security upgrades alone are insufficient to protect the institution. The warning comes a year after a multimillion-euro jewel theft highlighted ongoing vulnerabilities at the landmark.

• The backgroundThieves stole €88 million worth of crown jewels a year ago.
• The conditionCrumbling galleries and leaking pipes threaten the Paris landmark.