Louvre: Burst pipe soaks 400 books, adding to post-heist woes

• A burst pipe at the Louvre damaged 300-400 rare books in its Egyptian antiquities department.
• This incident occurred weeks after a $102 million jewel heist, highlighting concerns about the museum's aging infrastructure.
• The faulty pipe was identified years ago, but repairs are not scheduled until September 2026.
• Auditors previously warned about the Louvre's infrastructure issues due to spending on new artworks.
• The damaged books are reference materials crucial for Egyptologists globally.

Why It Matters: Louvre's systemic neglect threatens global cultural heritage.