The Louvre museum has acknowledged security shortcomings following the theft of €88 million worth of French crown jewels. Laurence des Cars, the museum’s director, spoke to French senators about the incident, revealing weak and outdated CCTV systems that failed to adequately monitor the museum’s perimeter. Notably, the single camera monitoring the exterior wall where the thieves broke in was positioned incorrectly, overlooking the critical first-floor balcony that leads to the Gallery of Apollo.
Des Cars admitted that the museum had been “defeated” by the criminals, despite previous assurances from other officials about security measures. She described the existing CCTV as “very unsatisfactory” and indicated that some internal areas of the museum were too old to update effectively. Despite attracting 8.7 million visitors last year, the Louvre has seen slow investment in security infrastructure, a situation that could be challenging due to budget constraints faced by large institutions.
Following the heist, a police search is ongoing for a gang of four that managed to steal eight valuable pieces of jewelry, including a necklace given to Empress Josephine by Napoleon. One item, a diamond-studded crown owned by Empress Eugenie, was recovered, but it sustained damage during the theft. Initial assessments suggest that the crown may undergo a delicate restoration.
Des Cars shared concerns about past reductions in surveillance and security staff, alongside the aging infrastructure that limits the integration of modern security technologies. While she contemplates starting improvements in early 2026, the extent of the required updates remains a significant challenge.
Des Cars noted that she offered her resignation after the incident but was refused. She expressed frustration over the lack of action on her longstanding warnings about the Louvre’s security vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, France’s Interior Minister expressed confidence in the ongoing investigation aimed at apprehending the thieves, believed to be working under an organized criminal group.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9d6e2wv884o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss