The key facts

  • The Louvre is addressing security problems after the robbery on October 19 last year, when eight crown jewels were stolen
  • Of the €83 million allocated for the security plan, only €3 million had been spent by the time of the robbery
  • Louvre President Laurence des Cars resigned in February; she was succeeded by Christophe Leribault, who warned of a possible closure of the museum without renovation

A Year After the Daring Heist

The world-famous Parisian museum — the most visited in the world — has spent a year under intense scrutiny from police, government reports and parliamentary investigations after, a year ago on October 19, eight crown jewels were stolen in broad daylight. The heist exposed a whole series of failures: outdated or missing surveillance cameras, a chronic shortage of equipment, the absence of a modern security control room and of a security director. 'We still feel the trauma from the robbery,' Valérie Beaud, a representative of the CFDT union, told AFP.

Management Failures and Des Cars's Resignation

Parliament was told that on the eve of the robbery the institution had spent only €3 million of the €83 million earmarked for the security plan, due to administrative delays, management decisions and bureaucracy. The French Court of Audit, in one of many critical findings, noted that the museum 'prioritized projects that were visible and attractive.' These reports, along with a staff strike and a series of other incidents — including a water leak and a major ticket-fraud scandal — hastened the resignation of Louvre president Laurence des Cars in February. Laurent Lafon, chairman of the Senate's culture committee, which oversees the museum, told AFP: 'The Louvre needs a change in security culture, which has not yet happened and will take several years. The Louvre's leaders must accept the idea that security is a priority, which was not the case before.'

New Leader Promises Change

The museum's new head, Christophe Leribault, who replaced des Cars in February, asserts that changes are happening. 'The security plan is moving forward quickly,' he told AFP in a written statement, while emphasizing the 'complexity' of carrying out work while keeping the museum open to the public. The museum has committed to investing about €20 million per year until 2032, and since July it has had a new security director.

Dilapidated Infrastructure and a Warning of Closure

Short-term security concerns give way to the long-term question of funding the modernization of the entire palace. Nearly nine million people visit the Louvre's galleries every year, many of whom are unaware of the sorry state of some rooms, the aging pipes and wiring, poor ventilation in summer and lack of heating in winter. Earlier this week Leribault made his most alarming statement, telling the newspaper Le Figaro that 'if the Louvre is not repaired, renovated and transformed, it will very quickly fall behind and in the end its doors will have to be closed to the public.'

The 'New Renaissance' Project and the Funding Dispute

French President Emmanuel Macron presented his vision — 'Louvre — New Renaissance' — in January 2025; it included a new entrance and a gallery for the Mona Lisa, among other changes. The proposed price tag — one billion euros — now looks unrealistic for a country facing a serious budget crisis. Unions accused Macron and the museum's leadership of prioritizing grandiose architectural redevelopment plans over more modest changes that would improve the visitor experience. 'We can strengthen security without this project, which does not meet priorities and aims at an unacceptable increase in visitor numbers,' said Christian Galani, a representative of the CGT union. Leribault, however, remains committed to the project. Part of his task is finding new private sources of income: donors will be invited to sponsor works in exchange for public recognition and possibly naming rights. Additional revenue could come from further ticket price increases. The target is €360 million. 'It is a huge challenge, and I don't know whether I will succeed,' he said in June.