Louvre Museum Water Leak Hits Denon Gallery, Mona Lisa Remains Safe
A late-evening water leak disrupted operations inside the Denon Gallery of the Louvre Museum on Thursday, briefly raising concern around one of the world’s most valuable art collections. Museum officials quickly reassured the public that the section housing the famous Mona Lisa was untouched by the incident.
According to a spokesperson, maintenance teams managed to contain the leak overnight, stopping the water flow in the early hours of Friday. The affected gallery is expected to reopen after routine inspections confirm the space is fully safe for visitors and artworks.
The issue was traced to Room 707, an exhibition area displaying paintings from both French and Italian masters. Among the works shown there are pieces by 19th-century painter Charles Meynier and Renaissance artist Bernardino Luini. While the paintings themselves were not reported damaged, water did affect part of a decorative ceiling originally painted by Meynier.
The incident adds to a difficult period for the museum. In recent months, the institution has faced a string of problems — from a dramatic jewelry theft to staff labor disputes and an ongoing investigation into a large-scale ticket fraud case.
With this latest setback, attention is once again turning toward infrastructure maintenance and operational oversight at one of the most visited cultural landmarks in the world.
