In brief
The Louvre Museum's director, Laurence des Cars, disclosed serious security flaws following a brazen theft of €88 million worth of jewels, admitting to ineffective CCTV coverage during a Senate hearing. With only one camera overlooking the breach, the museum struggled to protect its treasures, prompting calls for urgent upgrades to enhance security.
The Louvre failed to spot a gang of thieves early enough to stop the theft of €88m (£76m) worth of French crown jewels, the museum's director has revealed.
Laurence des Cars, speaking publicly for the first time since the heist on Sunday, told French senators that CCTV around the Louvre's perimeter was weak and aging.
The only camera monitoring the exterior wall of the Louvre where they broke in was pointing away from the first-floor balcony that led to the Gallery of Apollo housing the jewels, she said.
We failed these jewels, she said, adding that no-one was protected from brutal criminals - not even the Louvre.
Ministers have given press conferences and interviews and denied security failings, but des Cars cut through that and admitted the Louvre had been defeated.
Her words provided an extraordinary insight into the difficulties of securing the world's most visited museum, and how bad its security truly was.
Despite the museum's huge volume of visitors - 8.7 million last year alone - investment in security has been slow and she highlighted the budget challenges big institutions face.
Des Cars, director since 2021, expressed intentions to double the number of CCTV cameras.
Senators expressed incredulity at the Louvre's security, questioning why there was just one camera on the external wall facing the river and why it was pointed the wrong way.
There is a weakness at the Louvre and I acknowledge it completely, des Cars stated.
She praised security guards for their quick response in evacuating the building as soon as they were aware of the intrusion. However, she conceded: We did not spot the arrival of the thieves early enough... the weakness of our perimeter protection is known.
The Louvre re-opened on Wednesday, although the gallery remained shut. The hunt continues for the gang of four, who stole eight valuable pieces, including a necklace given to Empress Eugenie, which was damaged during the escape.
Des Cars reported that she tendered her resignation post-heist, which was refused, and lamented that her warnings regarding the state of the Louvre had come to fruition.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed confidence that the thieves would be apprehended, with prosecutors suspecting ties to a criminal organization.
