June 17, 2026, 1:56 p.mJune 17, 2026, 1:56 p.m
Only around four months after taking office, the new Louvre director Christophe Leribault paints a worrying picture of the state of the world-famous museum in Paris: The Louvre is “at the end of its tether” and faces a huge need for investment, he told a commission of the French Senate, the upper chamber of Parliament.
According to the Senate’s live broadcast, the museum director, who was only appointed in February, described numerous technical systems and infrastructure as outdated. “You can say it bluntly: despite its imposing splendor, despite the daily commitment of its teams, it is a Louvre that is out of breath,” said Leribault.
Security problems and dilapidated technology
The museum director spoke of a veritable investment wall facing the institution. In order to secure operations in the long term, extensive renovation and modernization work is necessary.
The warning comes at a difficult time for the museum in Paris. Since a spectacular burglary in October, in which jewels worth around 88 million euros were stolen, the Louvre has been under pressure: strikes, security problems and dilapidated technology are putting a strain on the building.
With an average of around nine million visitors annually, the Louvre is one of the most important cultural institutions in the world. (sda/dpa)