Big problems for the Louvre: Leakage, congestion and cold

In a leaked letter sent to France’s Minister of Culture, from one of the world’s greatest museums: the Louvre in Paris, it says “Visiting the leaky, cramped Louvre has become a physical ordeal”.
Now the state may have to step in to help the museum.
– It’s an urgent situation here at the Louvre, says foreign reporter Jennifer Paterson, who is in Paris.

The Louvre in Paris is one of the world’s largest museums, where you can see some of the world’s most famous works. Among other things, the Mona Lisa, the Aphrodite statue Venus de Milo and The Seated Scribe. It is a popular destination and the museum is designed to receive 4 million visitors annually, but last year it had more than double that number; 8.7 million visitors.

– In 3.5 years, the situation has only gotten worse. Today we are undeniably at a catastrophic level. The roof leaks, the pipes no longer hold. It’s cold, there’s no heating, says Elise Muller, union representative Louvre.

Artwork can be damaged

The large number of visitors and the lack of adequate maintenance have worn down the Louvre, and the problems have also caused visitors to react.

– I didn’t like the toilets, it was far too cold. I had to put on the hat and gloves, says visitor Felipe Laburu.

Under the famous glass roof, it gets uncomfortably hot in the summer and in other parts of the museum it rains, which can have devastating consequences.

– The almost 35,000 priceless works of art could be damaged by water leaks, says Jennifer Paterson.

Can get help from the state

Promised renovations have not been carried out due to financial concerns during, among other things, the pandemic when visitors did not show up, and the museum has now turned to the state for help. In a leaked letter sent to France’s culture minister, they plead for help.

– French culture minister Rachida Dati has said that she thinks ticket prices should be raised for next year. She specifically points to the need to raise prices for those who are not EU citizens.

Despite a large budget deficit, it looks like the state may come to the Louvre’s aid.

– The French president has said that he will go to the Louvre at the beginning of next week to look at these injuries himself and that he will make some kind of statement. Considering that the president is stepping into this situation, you can imagine that this means that new money will come into the Louvre, says Jennifer Paterson.