Louvre Museum's Surveillance Password 'Louvre' at Time of $102 Million Jewel Heist

An employee with knowledge of the Louvre Museum's security system disclosed that the password to the museum's video surveillance was 'Louvre' at the time of the recent $102 million jewel heist. This revelation has intensified scrutiny over the museum's security protocols following the theft.

During a French Senate committee hearing, Louvre President Laurence des Cars acknowledged that the only camera outside the Apollo Gallery faced west, failing to cover the window used by the thieves to gain entry. She noted that while the museum's alarms and cameras were operational, there was a 'weakness' in perimeter security due to underinvestment. Des Cars stated, 'The security system, as installed in the Apollo Gallery, worked perfectly. The question that arises is how to adapt this system to a new type of attack and modus operandi that we could not have foreseen.'

French investigators reported that the entire robbery, from entry to getaway, took seven minutes. The thieves used a truck-mounted mechanical cherry picker to access and exit the Apollo Gallery. Despite the swift nature of the heist, the stolen jewels have not been recovered. Four suspects have been charged in connection with the robbery, and authorities continue to search for the missing items. Paris public prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated, 'All avenues are being explored.'

The Louvre's Apollo Gallery, which housed the stolen jewels, remains closed since the theft. The museum's director has expressed a commitment to enhancing security measures to prevent future incidents.