Louvre's Security Oversight Before Heist: A Wake-Up Call

Thu Nov 06 2025 18:53:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent report reveals the Louvre prioritized art over security, leading to a major theft of €88 million in jewels. The findings highlight a crucial need for infrastructure investment.

Three weeks post the infamous Louvre jewel heist, a critical report indicates the museum's negligence in security by favoring financial investments in new art pieces. The audit, covering years 2018 to 2024, shows substantial spending on exhibitions while neglecting maintenance, igniting a call for security reforms following the loss of valuable royal jewelry. The conversation around Louvre's priorities raises concerns not only about losses from theft but the future of its ambitious projects amidst tightening budgets.

Three weeks after the spectacular jewel theft at the Louvre, the museum has been heavily criticized for neglecting security.

The Court of Auditors report, drawn up before the heist, found that for years managers had preferred to invest in new artworks and exhibitions rather than basic upkeep and protection.

Let no-one be mistaken: the theft of the crown jewels is a resounding wake-up call, said the court's president, Pierre Moscovici.

In broad daylight on Sunday 19 October, thieves broke into the Louvre's first-floor Apollo Gallery, using an angle-grinder to open display cases, making off with €88m (£78m) of jewels once belonging to 19th-Century queens and empresses.

Basing its findings on the years 2018 to 2024, the report says the Louvre favoured operations that were visible and attractive at the expense of maintenance and renovation of technical installations, notably in the fields of safety and security.

In the period studied, it found the museum spent €105.4m on buying new artworks and €63.5m on exhibition spaces, but only €26.7m on maintenance works and €59.5m on restoration of the palace building.

Culture Minister Rachida Dati added that managers had grossly underestimated the dangers of intrusion into the museum. Expert Didier Rykner accused the Louvre of prioritizing eye-catching initiatives over basic protection.

One potential casualty is the Louvre's New Renaissance project, grandly launched earlier this year, which includes new exhibition spaces for iconic pieces like the Mona Lisa.

The Louvre accepted most of the court's recommendations but communicated that the full extent of their security actions might not be understood.

The fallout from this heist and the ongoing concerns about museum security reflect a broader discussion about the future management of cultural institutions and their responsibilities to protect invaluable heritage.