The Louvre is sounding the alarm as its director highlights a dire threat to its iconic art collection. Aging infrastructure, rising flood risks, and surging visitor numbers are pushing the museum to its limits. Without urgent funding and modernization, priceless masterpieces face irreversible damage. The museum's ability to preserve its legacy hangs in the balance, raising questions about how one of the world's most cherished cultural institutions can sustain itself in the face of mounting challenges.
The Louvre, a beacon of global art and history, is grappling with a multifaceted crisis that threatens its infrastructure, preservation efforts, and visitor experience. Infrastructure deterioration is at the heart of the museum's challenges, with aging buildings suffering from water damage, temperature fluctuations, and areas no longer being watertight. These conditions not only jeopardize the preservation of priceless artworks but also considerably diminish the visitor experience. The museum has implemented a daily visitor cap of 30,000 to manage the overwhelming crowds.
Overcrowding exacerbates these issues, with 8.7 million visitors in 2024—double the museum's intended capacity—leading to long queues, insufficient rest areas, and damage to museum spaces. Climate-related threats, such as increased flooding, further compound the strain on the Louvre's historic infrastructure, particularly due to its location on the Seine River. The museum urgently requires funding strategies to address these challenges and redesign outdated facilities to safeguard its treasures and enhance accessibility for visitors.
Flooding, linked to climate change, poses a severe risk to the Louvre's collection, especially with approximately 150,000 artefacts previously stored below the river level. To mitigate this, the museum has relocated a third of its collection to a new conservation center in Liévin. The facility, built at a cost of €60 million, features cutting-edge engineering, including a turfed roof and a leak detection system. It is designed to handle rainfall well in excess of current and future projections, ensuring the safety of these irreplaceable items.
The Louvre's director has emphasized the importance of such measures, as climate change has increased the likelihood of heavy rainfall in Paris almost twofold, with the Seine reaching its highest levels since 1982 during a 2016 flood.
Overcrowding remains a pressing concern, despite efforts to manage visitor numbers through daily caps and extended opening hours. Issues with signage, navigation, and insufficient rest areas continue to mar the visitor experience, even as the director acknowledges the critical role of tourists in sustaining the museum.
The Louvre's current challenges underscore the urgent need for thorough solutions to preserve its legacy and maintain its status as a global cultural icon.
