The renowned Louvre museum has made an announcement regarding the closure of one of its galleries due to structural issues. This decision comes shortly after a recent burglary where valuable jewels were stolen. The museum disclosed that a technical report revealed concerns about the stability of certain beams supporting the floors in the southern wing of the Sully wing, prompting the closure of the second-level offices for evaluation. Additionally, the Campana Gallery, situated below the offices and housing Greek ceramics, will also be inaccessible as a precautionary measure.
Efforts to modernize the Sully wing are part of a larger renovation plan initiated earlier this year by the museum. This development follows the high-profile theft of crown jewels valued at over $100 million (£76 million) last month. Despite authorities making arrests in connection with the heist, the jewels remain unrecovered.
Criticism has been directed at the museum’s security protocols, with a report highlighting a preference for investing in new artworks and exhibitions over maintenance and protection. The Louvre’s expenditure between 2018 and 2024 revealed substantial sums allocated towards new acquisitions and exhibition spaces, while comparatively less was spent on maintenance and restoration of the historic building. The October heist, occurring during public hours, underscored existing security challenges attributed to overcrowding and limited staffing.
The burglary, near the Mona Lisa exhibit, was described as a well-executed operation by Culture Minister Rachida Dati. Intruders gained entry by forcing a window and cutting through display cases to steal from the gilded Apollon Gallery, housing the Crown Diamonds. The thieves fled on motorbikes after smashing the cases, leaving behind damaged artifacts. Despite some missing diamond pieces, efforts are underway to restore the stolen items, including the emerald-set imperial crown of Empress Eugénie.