In a recent report, France’s Court of Auditors has called on the Louvre Museum to accelerate its security modernization plans, emphasizing the need for immediate action following the high-profile jewel heist on October 19. The report, which scrutinized the museum’s operations from 2018 to 2024, highlighted significant delays in upgrading safety and security systems, despite the ongoing risks. The theft, involving $102 million worth of Crown Jewels, exposed critical vulnerabilities in the museum’s defenses. Thieves used a truck-mounted basket lift to access the Apollo Gallery and escaped with the treasures within minutes. The report criticized the Louvre for prioritizing “visible and attractive operations,” such as acquiring new artworks and enhancing visitor experiences, over essential maintenance and security upgrades. A security modernization plan, initially proposed in 2018, has faced repeated delays, with technical work now scheduled to begin in 2025 and fully implemented by 2032. The estimated cost for the project is €83 million ($95 million), yet only €3 million ($3.5 million) has been invested since 2018. The museum has installed 134 digital cameras in recent years, but this falls short of addressing systemic issues. The Court of Auditors recommended reallocating resources from art acquisitions and room renovations to prioritize safety and security improvements. The broader “Louvre New Renaissance” plan, launched earlier this year, aims to modernize infrastructure, reduce crowding, and create a dedicated gallery for the Mona Lisa by 2031, with a projected cost of €800 million ($933 million). Following the heist, French Culture Minister Rachida Dati acknowledged “security gaps” and announced plans to install streetside anti-ramming and anti-intrusion devices within two months. Four suspects in the heist were arrested last week, though the stolen jewels remain unrecovered.
The Louvre urged to speed up security upgrades in audit conducted before the heist
