The world-renowned Louvre Museum in Paris has delivered a significant blow to tourists, announcing the immediate closure of one of its galleries due to serious structural concerns.
Structural Instability Forces Closure
A technical report submitted on Friday, November 17, 2025, revealed what the museum described as a 'particular fragility of certain beams' supporting the floors on the second level of the southern wing of the historic Sully wing. The museum cited 'recent and unforeseen developments' as the cause but did not provide further specifics.
In response, managers have taken the precautionary step of blocking access to the second-level offices. The 65 employees who work there are being temporarily relocated for a period of three days while structural experts conduct a full assessment of the damage.
Precautionary Gallery Shutdown
Located directly beneath the affected offices, the Campana Gallery, which houses a renowned collection of Greek ceramics, will also be closed to the public as a safety measure. This decision ensures visitor safety while the integrity of the structure above is evaluated.
This closure comes as the world's most visited museum, housed in a former medieval palace, is in the early stages of an ambitious renovation programme announced earlier this year. Modernising the Sully wing was already listed as a key priority in these renovation efforts.
Challenges Compound for Famous Museum
The structural issues represent another major challenge for the institution, which is still recovering from a high-profile heist last month. Thieves successfully stole crown jewels valued at over $100 million (£76 million) from the museum, a security breach that shocked the art world.
This one-two punch of a major theft and now significant structural problems presents a difficult period for the iconic attraction, which welcomes millions of visitors from across the globe every year.
