The Louvre Museum in Paris reopened Wednesday, three days after a daring heist saw thieves steal royal jewels valued at €88 million ($102 million).
The robbery, executed by four hooded assailants using a stolen movers’ lift to access a second-floor window, has intensified scrutiny of the museum’s security measures.
The Galerie d’Apollon, where the theft occurred, remains closed, while visitors returned to other exhibitsM
Louvre Director Laurence des Cars is set to face questioning by the French Senate’s culture committee today, addressing concerns over security lapses.
In January, des Cars warned of the museum’s “worrying level of obsolescence,” urging major renovations.
A Court of Auditors report noted only a quarter of one wing is covered by video surveillance, highlighting delays in security upgrades.
French President Emmanuel Macron, during a cabinet meeting, ordered a “speeding up” of security enhancements, according to government spokeswoman Maude Bregeon.
The heist involved eight priceless pieces, including an emerald-and-diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I and a diadem with nearly 2,000 diamonds.
Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau emphasized the loss to France’s heritage, noting thieves dropped a diamond-studded crown while fleeing on scooters.
Investigators are analyzing fingerprints and scouring video footage for leads, suspecting an organized crime group.
Public frustration grows as no senior official has taken responsibility, despite Interior Minister Laurent Nunez acknowledging security failures, stating, “the alarm system worked perfectly,” yet the theft succeeded.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati’s claim of no lapses drew criticism.
The Louvre insists its 2019 display cases marked a security improvement.
Recent thefts at other French museums, including Paris’s Natural History Museum and a Limoges institution, underscore a trend of targeting cultural sites, fueling calls for stronger protections at the world’s most-visited museum, which welcomed 8.7 million visitors last year.