The French national audit has published its report on the Louvre’s security, excerpts of which were leaked to press shortly after a trove of crown jewel were stolen from the museum.
The report, known as the Cour des Comptes, found that only 39 percent of the museum’s rooms had cameras as of 2024. A security audit begun in 2015 determined the museum was not prepared for an emergency, only resulted in a tender for system upgrades at the end of last year.
“It will take several years to complete the project, which, according to the museum, is not expected to be finished until 2032,” the report said, as quoted by Reuters.
It added that the museum had funds to make the improvements, but instead spent excessively on acquiring artworks, only a quarter of which were exhibited to the public, and relaunching post-pandemic projects. Maintenance and security investments were “indispensable for the long-term functioning of the institution,” but the Louvre consistently prioritized “visible and attractive” projects instead. The audit offered 10 recommendations to support necessary investments, including decreasing the museum’s acquisitions, increasing ticket prices, and updating the digital infrastructure.
The former European Commissioner for Economy Pierre Moscovici said the Louvre “must now implement [security improvements] without fail,” adding that the “theft of the crown jewels was without a doubt a deafening alarm bell: this pace [of security upgrades] is far from sufficient. The authorities are now realizing that they have heard these alarm bells.”
In a hearing with the French senate, Louvre Museum director Laurence des Cars said that alarms in the Apollo Gallery, which houses French national treasures, functioned properly and went off during the heist. But she admitted that the museum has “very inadequate” and “outdated” security systems in place.
In January, the museum launched a long-term development project that includes a new dedicated space for the Mona Lisa, as well as updated security measures.
The Louvre is expected to add more robust security measures, including anti-intrusion devices and anti-vehicle ramming barriers on nearby public roads by the end of the year.
Four suspects are currently in custody for the Sunday, October 19 robbery.
