The Louvre Floods: The Threat of the Seine in 1910

In 1910 , a devastating flood of the Seine threatened the basements of the Louvre, causing panic among the museum's curators. The rapid rise of the waters endangered some of the works stored in the lower galleries. The teams had to organize an emergency operation to move many pieces of art to higher places, thus avoiding a catastrophe for the museum's heritage.

Since that time, the Louvre has implemented rigorous flood protection plans , given its proximity to the Seine. Today, these plans include rapid evacuation procedures and monitoring systems to prevent any further threats.

Constant vigilance

The risk of flooding remains present for the Louvre, particularly in winter when the Seine can rise quickly after heavy rains. The museum has strengthened its infrastructure to protect its treasures, including installing drainage systems and waterproof protection for the basements.

While the 1910 flood was a landmark event, it also allowed the Louvre to become a model for preserving works of art in times of crisis. The museum now takes strict precautions to ensure its heritage remains safe from the elements.

Discover in our online gallery contemporary works inspired by the history and challenges of the Louvre, where art meets resilience.

The Louvre has faced the dangers of flooding on several occasions, mainly because of its proximity to the Seine . These floods threaten not only the museum's historic buildings, but also its precious collections . Here is an anecdote about the times when the Louvre was almost submerged by water:

Historic floods:

• The Louvre, located in the heart of Paris, is vulnerable to flooding from the Seine. One of the most famous floods occurred in 1910 , when an exceptional rise in the river flooded the streets of Paris. Although the museum was not directly affected, the basements were flooded, putting thousands of works of art and artifacts stored there at risk.

The 2016 flood:

• In June 2016 , another major flood hit Paris. The Seine reached a critical level, forcing the Louvre to take emergency measures. The museum was temporarily closed to protect the endangered works.
• A major operation was launched to evacuate more than 35,000 works kept in the museum's basement, including sculptures, ancient artifacts and paintings. These works were moved to higher and safer areas.

Preventive measures:

• After the 2016 flood, the Louvre strengthened its flood prevention system. Some of the most vulnerable collections were moved to safer storage. The museum also put in place an emergency plan to quickly evacuate the works if another flood occurred.

A museum on the Seine:

• Despite these risks, the Louvre continues to thrive as one of the world's greatest museums. Its location along the Seine, while magnificent, is a constant reminder of the threat of potential flooding. However, modern protective measures have helped limit the damage.

Symbolism:

• The Louvre floods highlight how fragile cultural heritage is, but they also show the museum’s resilience in the face of natural disasters. Each flood has been an opportunity to strengthen security and protect the treasures it houses.

These events provided a better understanding of the importance of preventive conservation in a place as emblematic as the Louvre.