Louvre Museum Closes Gallery Amid Growing Concerns Over Structural Integrity
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The world's most visited museum, the Louvre in Paris, has taken a major step to address its infrastructure woes by closing a gallery due to significant structural weaknesses. The Campana gallery, which houses Greek vases and office spaces, has been shut down as a new technical report revealed the beams supporting the second floor of the Sully wing are in a precarious state. This decision comes just a month after a daring heist exposed the museum's vulnerabilities. The thieves, who stole historical jewels worth $102 million, were able to breach the museum's security with relative ease. The incident has raised concerns about the museum's management prioritizing artwork acquisitions and post-pandemic relaunch projects over security and infrastructure. Staff representatives have been warning about the condition of the building for years, citing the impact on working conditions and visitor safety. Union representative Valerie Baud expressed her surprise at the extent of the deterioration, describing it as 'major.' The closure of the gallery is a stark reminder of the museum's neglect, as highlighted by a recent state auditor's report. Built in the late 12th century as the official residence of the French monarchy, the Louvre Palace has a rich history. However, the museum's current state raises questions about its ability to protect its valuable collections and ensure visitor safety. Authorities are still investigating the heist, and the stolen jewels remain unrecovered.
