14.10.2026 17:42
A closure warning has been issued for the Louvre Museum, located in Paris, the capital of France, and visited by millions of tourists every year. Museum Director Christophe Leribault stated that the historic building is facing serious security and infrastructure problems and announced that if the necessary renovation work is not carried out, the museum may have to close its doors to the public. Historian Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, who recently passed away, had also recommended seeing the museum in his work.
The world-famous Louvre Museum is facing one of the most serious crises in its history. Christophe Leribault, the director of the museum that the recently deceased master historian Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı also recommended as a must-see in his work titled "How Should a Life Be Lived?", warned that if the necessary work is not carried out, the historic structure that hosts millions of visitors could close.
ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS MUSEUMS FACES THE DANGER OF CLOSING Louvre Museum Director Christophe Leribault, speaking to the French newspaper Le Figaro, made striking statements regarding the museum's current condition. Leribault, who was appointed on February 25, stated that the museum's infrastructure, technical equipment, and historic building have been seriously worn down. Emergency work was launched to increase the museum's security. Within this scope, new security cameras were installed, protective measures were increased, and the renewal of the surrounding railings began.
Louvre Museum Director Christophe Leribault AFTER THE ROBBERY, THE JEWELS WERE MOVED TO A SAFE PLACE After the major robbery at the Louvre Museum last year, security measures were tightened even further. Leribault announced that the other jewels in the gallery where the robbery took place were removed until new display cases with suitable security conditions are identified. In response to increasing robberies at museums across Europe, some valuable works at the Louvre were also moved to secure areas.
NO LONGER ENOUGH FOR 9 MILLION VISITORS Security is not the only problem the museum faces. Leribault stated that visitor density is also straining the historic structure. "The museum is both in a very bad condition and overcrowded," said Leribault, emphasizing that 9 million visitors can no longer be passed through the museum's pyramid-shaped main entrance. The director, also drawing attention to climate change and cybersecurity risks, announced that the number of visitors decreased by 8 percent due to extreme heat in the summer months.
RENOVATION WORK COULD TAKE 15 YEARS Work has begun to repair the escalators, lighting systems, ceiling, and air conditioning systems in the Louvre Museum. Leribault stated that the comprehensive transformation plan called "The Louvre's New Renaissance" must be implemented. He stated that the completion of the project could take 15 years. The museum administration is also considering the possibility of a reasonable increase in entrance fees as part of financing the renovation work.
DISASTER WARNING FROM THE MUSEUM DIRECTOR Leribault said that the government to be formed after the presidential elections to be held in France in 2027 must approve the renovation work. Regarding the museum's future, he used the following statements: "This must be on the future government's mind: if the Louvre is not repaired, made suitable, and transformed, it will quickly lose its prestige and ultimately be forced to close its doors to the public. That would be a disaster."
8 HISTORIC JEWELS WERE STOLEN IN 7 MINUTES The Louvre Museum, where approximately 35,000 works are exhibited, was the scene of a major robbery on October 19, 2025. In the robbery carried out by four people and lasting only 7 minutes, 8 historic jewels were stolen. While the suspects were caught about two weeks later, the stolen historical artifacts could not be found. The robbery and the building's increasingly worsening problems have increased concerns about the future of one of the world's most important museums.