Louvre Says Water Pipe Leak Damaged 300–400 Egyptology Reference Books

07:55 AM, 12/08/2025

Key points: A water pipe burst at the Louvre on Nov. 26 damaged an estimated 300–400 reference books in the Egyptian antiquities department library, a fact disclosed on Dec. 7. Officials described the incident as a "flood of dirty water" and said the affected volumes are reference works used by Egyptologists rather than rare manuscripts. Museum leaders say the leak is unrelated to an October jewellery theft and a separate November security-password disclosure; repairs are planned for fall 2026.

The Louvre in Paris confirmed that a water-pipe failure on Nov. 26 damaged between 300 and 400 books in the Egyptian antiquities department’s library, an incident the museum disclosed on Dec. 7.

What Happened

Museum deputy administrator Francis Steinbock told BFM TV that the pipe caused what the museum’s Committee for Hygiene, Safety and Working Conditions described as a "flood of dirty water" that affected a section of the research library. Officials emphasized that the volumes damaged were reference works frequently consulted by Egyptologists rather than rare or "precious" manuscripts.

Timeline and Response

According to the museum, the leak occurred on Nov. 26 and was made public on Dec. 7. PEOPLE contacted Louvre representatives on Dec. 7 but did not receive an immediate comment. The museum has scheduled repairs to the affected infrastructure for fall 2026.

Context

The announcement comes weeks after a high-profile October break-in at the Louvre, when thieves used a chainsaw to steal more than $100 million in jewellery. Museum officials said the theft appears unrelated to the library leak. In November, the museum also faced scrutiny after a staff member disclosed that a security system password had been set as "Louvre"; authorities similarly regard that issue as separate from the water-pipe incident.

Impact: The museum frames the damage as a contained event affecting research materials used by scholars rather than irreplaceable historic manuscripts.

The leak and recent security lapses have renewed attention on the Louvre’s facilities and preservation protocols, prompting calls for prompt infrastructure repairs and review of archival protections.

Louvre Says Water Pipe Leak Damaged 300–400 Egyptology Reference Books

What Happened

Timeline and Response

Context

Similar Articles

Louvre Hikes Non‑EEA Ticket Price to €32 to Fund Security Overhaul After $100M Heist

After Daring Heist, Louvre to Install 100 Cameras and Reinforce Perimeter Security

Ancient Gold Ingots Stolen from Damascus National Museum; Access Restricted and Staff Questioned

Dozens of Looted Antiquities Recovered at Burj Lasana After Villa Damaged Site

Armed Robbers Steal Eight Matisse Engravings (and Five Portinari Works) From São Paulo Library

2,000-Year-Old Luxurious Pleasure Boat Found Off Alexandria — First Such Vessel Discovered in Egypt

Fact Check: Louvre Jewels Were Not Recovered from Ukrainian Billionaire Timur Mindich

Six Roman‑Era Marble Statues Stolen in Overnight Heist at National Museum of Damascus

Damascus National Museum Closed After Theft — Roman-Era Statues and Possible Gold Reported Stolen

Six Roman‑Era Marble Statues Stolen from National Museum of Damascus; Investigation Underway

From "LOUVRE" to Eight Zeros — Password Blunders That Triggered Ransoms, Scandals and Shutdowns

Ancient "Piggy Banks" in France Yield an Estimated 40,000 Roman Coins

Roman 'Piggy Banks' Filled With Tens Of Thousands Of Coins Unearthed In French Village

Gaza's Pasha Palace: Hand‑led Restoration Begins After Two Years of War

Egypt Urges Britain to Return the Rosetta Stone as Grand Egyptian Museum Opens

Trending