In brief
The Louvre Museum in Paris has announced the temporary closure of its Campana Gallery due to structural weaknesses. This decision comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny following a high-profile jewel heist last month. The museum's management is now facing criticism for its prioritization of art acquisitions over essential maintenance and security measures. As engineers evaluate the structural integrity of the building, visitors won't have access to the gallery consisting of nine rooms filled with historic artifacts.
The Louvre museum in Paris has announced it is closing one of its galleries due to structural weaknesses.
The Campana Gallery - consisting of nine rooms that host Greek ceramics - will remain shut as engineers investigate certain beams supporting the floors, the Louvre said.
This announcement comes after the museum's unwelcome attention following a high-profile heist last month, in which jewels worth €88m (£76m; $102m) were stolen.
Criticism has focused on lax security at the world's most-visited museum in the French capital. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the theft, but the jewels have not been recovered.
In a statement on Monday, the Louvre cited structural issues in offices on the second floor—above the Campana Gallery in the Sully wing of the museum—as the reason for its decision. The statement emphasized that the gallery would remain closed as a precaution during the ongoing investigations.
Three weeks following the jewel theft, a report indicated that museum managers had preferred to invest in new artworks and exhibitions rather than essential upkeep and protection of the facility. From 2018 to 2024, the Louvre spent €105.4m on buying new artworks compared to only €26.7m on maintenance works.
Since the incident, security measures have been heightened around France's cultural institutions, with the Louvre transferring some of its most precious jewels to the Bank of France.
