The Louvre Museum has come under scrutiny after thieves stole French crown jewels worth around €88 million. Director Laurence des Cars told French senators that the museum’s security was outdated and insufficient.
She revealed the only camera covering the breached outer wall was pointing away from the first-floor balcony leading to the Gallery of Apollo, where the jewels were kept.
“We failed these jewels,” she said. “No one was protected from brutal criminals—not even the Louvre.”
The robbers used a truck with a mechanical ladder to reach the gallery, but the vehicle went undetected due to poor camera coverage. Despite the security staff’s swift evacuation response, the thieves escaped with eight items, including a necklace gifted by Emperor Napoleon to his wife.
Des Cars described the CCTV system as “very unsatisfactory” and said parts of the museum were too old to support modern technology. Budget cuts and reduced security staff over the past decade have worsened the situation, despite 8.7 million visitors last year.
A diamond-studded 19th-century crown belonging to Empress Eugenie was dropped during the escape. Although recovered, it was damaged but may be restored, des Cars said.
After the heist, des Cars offered her resignation, which was refused. She defended herself against criticism, stating her warnings had been ignored until the robbery.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed confidence the suspects would be caught, with prosecutors believing they acted under orders from organised crime.
The museum plans to begin security upgrades early next year, facing challenges from its historic infrastructure. The hunt for the criminals continues with international cooperation.