Louvre water leak in the Denon Gallery has forced a temporary closure and raised concerns about tourism to the museum.
Summary: A water leak on the evening of 12 February 2026 in Room 707 of the Louvre’s Denon Gallery led to a temporary closure while conservation teams assess damage to painted ceilings and nearby works; the incident has raised fresh concerns about the museum’s infrastructure and potential effects on visitor experience.
A water leak struck the Denon Gallery at the Louvre Museum in Paris late on Thursday, 12 February 2026, prompting authorities to close the affected section while teams worked to secure and assess the site. The incident occurred in Room 707, an area noted for its 19th-century painted ceiling by Charles Meynier and for housing works by Bernardino Luini.
Immediate response and assessment
Museum staff acted overnight to contain the leak and protect artworks. By early Friday morning the flow had been stopped, scaffolding put in place and conservation teams began evaluating the scale of damage to Meynier’s ceiling and the Luini paintings. Officials have not yet provided a timetable for repairs or restorations.
Which artworks were affected — and which were not
Although the Denon Gallery contains a number of prized pieces, the museum has confirmed that the Mona Lisa and other major works located elsewhere in the Louvre were not impacted by this flooding. The immediate priority has been to stabilise the site and determine the extent of any damage in Room 707.
- Location: Room 707 in the Denon Gallery
- Noted works in the room: Charles Meynier’s painted ceiling and pieces by Bernardino Luini
- Major works elsewhere (e.g., the Mona Lisa) reported as unaffected
Tourism and visitor experience implications
The Louvre draws roughly 10 million visitors each year and the Denon Gallery is among its most heavily toured areas. A closure of this wing — even if temporary — could alter itineraries and diminish the on-site experience for many tourists, especially those who prioritise the gallery’s collection.
Travel professionals warn that a restricted visit to the Louvre may lessen Paris’ appeal for visitors seeking a comprehensive art itinerary, while local officials balance conservation needs with the expectations of international travellers.
Context: a string of recent incidents
This leak follows a series of challenges for the Louvre. In October 2025 the museum experienced a high-profile daylight theft of the French Crown Jewels. The institution has also faced staff strikes over working conditions, scrutiny over maintenance and infrastructure, and an ongoing ticket fraud investigation. Earlier in 2025, water-related issues damaged rare books in the museum’s library, highlighting recurring vulnerabilities in the historic building.
- October 2025: theft of French Crown Jewels
- 2025: staff strikes and concerns about workplace conditions
- 2025: earlier water incidents that damaged rare library books
- Ongoing investigations into ticket fraud and infrastructure maintenance
Official response and next steps
A museum spokesperson indicated that a technical malfunction on an upper floor is believed to have triggered the leak. Conservation teams are working to secure the area, and French authorities have pledged thorough safety checks and prioritised repairs. The Louvre has said the gallery will reopen once safety assessments are complete.
No firm schedule for restoration has been announced, and the museum emphasises that the age of the building and the delicate nature of the works require cautious, expert-led conservation.
Why this matters: For travellers, the incident underlines the importance of checking the Louvre’s official advisories before visiting. Tour operators and travellers should expect possible route changes inside the museum and consider flexible bookings and alternative cultural activities in Paris while the Denon Gallery is unavailable.
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