The Louvre has confirmed that a water leak in the Mollien wing damaged between 300 and 400 books in its Egyptology library. The leak, traced to an ageing heating or ventilation pipe, soaked journals and research volumes dating back more than a century.

Museum officials say no artworks or unique manuscripts were affected and no irreversible losses have been identified. The incident has renewed scrutiny of the Louvre’s ageing infrastructure, coming weeks after a major jewel heist.