France’s Louvre urged to speed up security before heist
In a report prepared before the jewel heist in October, stating that there were major delays in the renovation of the world’s most visited museum, the French Court of Auditors called on the Louvre Museum to accelerate its security modernization plans as a priority.
Thursday’s report from the Cour des Comptes comes after a series of failures and security issues came to light following the theft of crown jewels worth US$102 million ($157 million) that shocked the world.
The thieves used a truck-mounted boom lift to reach the window of the Apollo Gallery and escaped with the treasure within minutes.
Focusing on the 2018-24 period, the report said the museum’s investments prioritized “visible and engaging operations” such as purchasing new artworks and improving the visitor experience.
This was “at the expense of maintenance and renovation of buildings and technical facilities, especially safety and security systems.”
The report stated that the plan to modernize security equipment has been in the works since 2018, but implementation continues to be delayed.
Actual technical studies would only begin in 2026, and it was planned to be fully implemented by 2032.
The cost of security modernization is estimated at 83 million euros (US$147 million), of which only 3 million euros have been invested between 2018 and 2024, according to the report.
The report said the museum has installed 134 digital cameras throughout the museum over the past three years to supplement or replace older cameras.
The Court of Accounts recommended that the Louvre focus on priorities such as bringing the museum’s technical facilities up to standards, especially safety and security, and reducing expenses in other areas.
The ten-year “Louvre New Renaissance” plan, which also includes security improvements, was implemented in early 2025.
It is estimated that modernizing the infrastructure, easing crowds and giving the famous Mona Lisa a dedicated gallery by 2031 will cost up to 800 million euros.
Last week, Culture Minister Rachida Dati said the Louvre would install anti-collision and anti-trespass devices on street sides within the next two months, following an interim investigation that found “chronic, structural underestimation” of the risk of theft at the Paris landmark.
Dati acknowledged “vulnerabilities,” rejected the resignation of the museum’s director, and cited four failures: underestimated risk, poorly equipped security, improper management and “outdated” protocols.
Four suspects were arrested last week in the Louvre robbery; three of them are believed to be members of the four-man team that was pulled using a basket lift to reach the museum’s window.
The jewelry was not recovered, officials said.
