The Louvre director warns that the museum risks closing without renovations and major investments

The Louvre, the most visited museum in the world, risks closing its doors unless it receives substantial funding to renovate the building, modernize its infrastructure and strengthen security. The institution’s director, Christophe Leribault, warned that structural problems and the pressure caused by the large number of visitors can no longer be postponed.

The museum received approximately nine million visitors last year, while inspections identified outdated plumbing, inadequately insulated galleries, overcrowded spaces and deficiencies in the surveillance system.

The warning comes after the robbery on October 19 last year, when thieves stole French crown jewels valued at approximately $100 million. Following the incident, the Louvre is implementing an €83 million security plan, which includes new cameras, monitoring of the perimeter and access points, as well as the appointment of a head of security.

President Emmanuel Macron has backed a renovation project estimated at €600 million, including a new entrance. The plan is opposed by unions, which are calling for essential works to be prioritized. Public funding is due to be reviewed after next year’s national elections, amid a difficult budgetary context for France.