The Louvre museum in Paris is closing one of its galleries due to structural weaknesses, and is increasing its security measures after last month's robbery.
Structural issues in offices on the museum's second floor, above the Campana Gallery, have prompted the Louvre to close the space to the public "as a precautionary measure".
The museum's Campana Gallery will remain closed as engineers investigate "certain beams supporting the floors", the Louvre said in a statement, and as reported by the BBC.
Additionally, the museum's management has closed the second-floor offices, with 65 staff members to vacate the spaces.
Olivier Ouadah
In the statement, the Louvre said its transformation project prioritises "the restoration, technical modernisation and revitalisation of this major heritage and historical complex".
The project, launched in January by French President Emmanuel Macron, came after the Louvre's director Laurence des Cars said the museum is in need of an overhaul.
Visiting the institution has become a "physical ordeal", with some spaces in "very poor condition", she wrote in a leaked memo.
To address these issues, major renovation work will be carried out in the coming years to improve infrastructure, and add new toilet and dining facilities.
The Louvre is designed to welcome about 4 million visitors annually, but hosted 8.7 million people in 2024.
New cameras and security systems
In more news, around 100 surveillance cameras and anti-intrusion systems are to be installed at the Louvre following the robbery at the institution last month, the Associated Press reported.
The anti-intrusion systems will start to be installed within two weeks, while the cameras will be up and running by the end of 2026, Des Cars said.
This comes after eight pieces of jewellery valued at €88m were stolen from the Louvre's Galerie d'Apollon by four thieves in a seven-minute daytime raid on 19 October.
Images courtesy of the Louvre
