The Louvre Museum's Denon gallery, home to some of its most valuable paintings, suffered damage due to a water leak that occurred on the night of Thursday, the 12th. The leak reportedly originated from a technical failure in the upper floors, prompting the closure of the affected area. A scaffolding has been erected in response, although a museum spokesperson declined to comment on the incident at this time.

The leak occurred in room 707, which houses works by 19th-century French painter Charles Meynier and 16th-century Italian artist Bernardino Luini. As of midday Friday, no assessments of potential damages had been shared by union representatives. This incident marks the second time in less than three months that the Louvre has faced serious issues, highlighting ongoing concerns within the museum regarding its maintenance and security measures.

Recent challenges for the Louvre include a high-profile jewelry theft, ongoing strikes, and a significant investigation into ticket sale fraud. These events have raised questions about the operational efficacy of one of the world’s most iconic museums, emphasizing the need for a review of its infrastructure and security protocols to prevent future incidents that could affect the preservation of its invaluable collections.