Louvre to get anti-ramming barriers by year end: minister

$102 Million heist sparks security overhaul

On October 19, four thieves parked a truck equipped with a moving lift under one of the Louvre’s windows during opening hours. Using cutting tools, they broke into a first-floor gallery and stole jewellery valued at $102 million. The bold theft prompted immediate scrutiny of the museum’s security systems and response protocols.

Minister calls for urgent reforms

After reviewing an initial security report, Dati said urgent action was necessary to correct long-standing issues. She told broadcaster TF1 that for over two decades, there had been a “chronic underestimation of intrusion and theft risks” at the Louvre. The report identified outdated security equipment and “completely obsolete” intrusion-response procedures.

Gaps in surveillance and external protection

The Louvre’s director Laurence des Cars acknowledged that the museum’s cameras did not fully cover the thieves’ entry point — the only camera in the area was positioned facing away from the balcony they used. While internal systems functioned on the day of the robbery, Dati confirmed there were “major security flaws” outside the building.

Ongoing investigation and missing treasures

So far, seven suspects have been arrested, with two charged with theft and criminal conspiracy. However, the stolen items remain missing. Among them are a historic emerald-and-diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I to Empress Marie-Louise, and a diamond-studded diadem that once belonged to Empress Eugenie — both considered priceless artefacts of French heritage.