Louvre Director Admits Security Failures After €88m Jewel Heist

The director of the Louvre Museum in Paris, Laurence des Cars, has acknowledged a "terrible failure" in security after thieves stole jewels valued at €88 million in a swift, seven-minute heist. Des Cars admitted that the museum's surveillance was "highly insufficient," particularly noting that existing cameras did not adequately cover the thieves' point of entry.

The robbery involved four individuals who used a truck equipped with an extendable ladder and furniture hoist to access a balcony, cut through a window, and steal jewels from the Apollo Gallery during operating hours. Des Cars detailed that while all alarms functioned during the burglary, the only camera installed was directed westward and did not cover the balcony involved in the break-in.

French senators have expressed concern over the incident. Jacques Grosperrin, a senator from the center-right Les Républicains party, remarked, "The whole world is shocked and we really don't need this in France right now." Max Brisson, also from Les Républicains, emphasized that France must not become "the champion of buck passing" regarding responsibility for the robbery.

Des Cars recounted that the robbers placed bollards on the pavement to simulate maintenance work. Upon breaking a window and entering the museum, alarms were triggered, and security protocols were followed. However, the thieves exited within minutes. Private security guards outside the museum, upon hearing the alerts, approached the van and prevented the robbers from setting it on fire before they fled, preserving valuable evidence.

Some display cases in the Apollo Gallery had been updated to withstand gunshots, but the thieves used an angle grinder to cut through the glass. Des Cars noted that the glass resisted to a certain point, forcing the robbers to use their hands to reach through a small gap to grab the jewels. A diamond and emerald-studded crown dropped by the thieves during their escape has been recovered and is undergoing assessment for restoration.

Des Cars tendered her resignation following the burglary, but Culture Minister Rachida Dati refused it. She defended the museum's €80 million security plan, disputing reports of "persistent delays." Plans include increasing video surveillance across the museum's extensive site and installing fixed thermal cameras, which will require significant electrical work.

President Emmanuel Macron has ordered the acceleration of security measures at the Louvre in response to the heist.