Louvre Director Acknowledges Failures After Daring Jewel Heist

 

The Louvre's director, Laurence des Cars, has acknowledged a "terrible failure" at the Paris museum after a daring daylight jewel heist on Sunday. Des Cars testified to the French Senate that she submitted her resignation, but Culture Minister Rachida Dati refused to accept it. The museum reopened on Wednesday, with long lines forming beneath its landmark glass pyramid.

The theft exposed significant security weaknesses, including a shortage of cameras outside the museum. Des Cars stated that the museum's alarms worked properly, but the thieves were not detected soon enough. The stolen jewels, valued at approximately $102 million, include eight pieces from France's Crown Jewels. Authorities say the thieves spent less than four minutes inside the Louvre, using a freight lift to access the Seine-facing facade.

The heist has put President Emmanuel Macron and the museum's leadership under scrutiny. Des Cars suggested barriers to prevent vehicles from parking alongside the museum's buildings and proposed a police station inside the museum. The museum welcomes 30,000 visitors daily and has 2,300 workers.

Reactions to the theft are divided, with some visitors expressing shock and others downplaying the incident. The investigation is ongoing, with roughly 100 investigators mapping the crew and any accomplices.¹ ²