Last week proved to be particularly turbulent for the Louvre Museum, one of the world’s most visited museums, according to reports from The Art Newspaper.
The Louvre Museum/yeonhee/Unsplash
On 13 February, French authorities revealed an investigation into an alleged €10 million, decade-long ticket fraud at the Parisian landmark. Just hours later, a water leak damaged a 19th-century ceiling painting in the Italian gallery. By 16 February, staff staged another protest over “worsening” security and working conditions, forcing the temporary closure of several galleries. This follows the longest strike period in the Louvre’s history.
Arrests in a major ticket scam
Nine people, including tour guides and museum employees, were arrested on 10 February over a scheme involving counterfeit and reused tickets, according to Le Parisien. Charges of gang fraud have been filed, with one individual placed in pre-trial detention.
Investigators say the scam allowed up to 20 tourist groups a day into the museum over ten years, costing the Louvre an estimated €10 million. Authorities have seized nearly €1 million in cash and almost €500,000 from bank accounts, with part of the profits reportedly reinvested in Dubai.
The arrests came after a complaint filed by the museum in December 2024. A Louvre spokesperson told The Art Newspaper that the police operation is part of a broader effort to tackle “intensifying and diversifying ticket fraud.”
With up to 30,000 visitors daily, the Louvre has long faced challenges from illegal ticket sales. In 2023, free-pass resales alone caused €4 million in losses, while in 2024, fake websites and stolen bank data cost an additional €2 million.
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Maintenance concerns add to woes
On 13 February, a leak from a central heating tube damaged the ceiling painting, The Triumph of French Painting (1822) by Charles Meynier. Two rips appeared in the canvas, though other works by Fra Angelico and Bernardino Luini were unharmed, and the gallery reopened later that day.
This incident highlights broader maintenance issues. Last November, a ruptured pipe flooded the Egyptian Department library, damaging 400 documents. Meanwhile, the ten-room Greek ceramics gallery remains closed due to unstable ceiling beams.
Union members have long criticised the museum’s attention to technical failures and ageing infrastructure. They argue that the Louvre should prioritise maintenance over its €666 million plan for a new entrance and underground complex near the Mona Lisa.
Plans for the extension have been paused indefinitely, with technical studies now required before proceeding. The delay comes amid political uncertainty, including the upcoming Paris mayoral election and questions around the future of Louvre director Laurence des Cars, following a series of scandals and the theft of the French crown jewels in October.
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