The iconic Louvre Museum recently became the site of a stunning theft, as a gang of thieves made off with €88 million (approximately £76 million) worth of French crown jewels. In a public address, museum director Laurence des Cars provided insights into the security failures that allowed this brazen heist to occur. This incident has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the museum's security measures and its ability to protect priceless artifacts.
Laurence des Cars revealed that the CCTV system surrounding the Louvre was both weak and outdated. Alarmingly, the sole camera monitoring the external wall where the theft occurred was positioned incorrectly, facing away from the first-floor balcony that leads to the Gallery of Apollo, which houses the stolen jewels. "We failed these jewels," des Cars admitted, emphasizing that no institution, not even the Louvre, is immune to the threat of criminal activity.
The theft unfolded within a mere ten minutes on a Sunday morning, shortly after the museum opened its doors. The thieves, a group of four, executed their plan with precision, using a truck equipped with a mechanical ladder to access the gallery. They successfully stole eight significant pieces of jewelry, including a diamond and emerald necklace that once belonged to Emperor Napoleon's wife. As they made their escape, they inadvertently dropped a 19th-century diamond-studded crown that belonged to Empress Eugenie, which was later recovered but suffered damage during the theft.
Despite the recovery of the crown, des Cars indicated that it sustained damage while being forcibly removed from its display case. Initial assessments suggest that a delicate restoration may be feasible. The museum's security personnel acted quickly, evacuating visitors as soon as the intrusion was detected. However, des Cars acknowledged the glaring oversight: "We did not spot the arrival of the thieves early enough... the weakness of our perimeter protection is known."
Following the incident, the Louvre reopened on Wednesday, although the Gallery of Apollo remains closed. Laurence des Cars, who has been at the helm since 2021, expressed her intention to double the number of CCTV cameras throughout the museum. Upon taking her position, she had been warned about the outdated security systems in contrast to the modern equipment utilized at the Musée d'Orsay, where she previously worked. Over the past decade, the museum has faced cuts to surveillance and security staff, further exacerbating the challenges posed by its aging infrastructure.
Des Cars hopes to initiate significant security upgrades by the beginning of 2026. However, she acknowledged that the task will be daunting due to the historical building's limitations. Following the heist, she offered her resignation to the culture ministry, which was declined. "I am wounded as chair and director that the warnings I was raising, as a whistle-blower, in a sense, have come to pass," she stated. "We've had a terrible failure at the Louvre. I've taken responsibility for it."
In response to the theft, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed confidence that the culprits would be apprehended. Prosecutors have indicated that they believe the thieves were operating under the direction of a larger criminal organization. The ongoing investigation aims to bring those responsible for this audacious crime to justice and ensure that such vulnerabilities are addressed in the future.
The recent heist at the Louvre underscores the need for enhanced security measures at one of the world's most famous museums, as it works to safeguard its invaluable collection of art and history.
