The head of the Louvre Museum in Paris acknowledged a significant failure following a daring theft of crown jewels in broad daylight at the renowned institution. The director, Laurence des Cars, revealed that she offered her resignation but it was not accepted. The Louvre, home to iconic artworks like the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, reopened amidst long queues after the high-profile heist.
During a testimony to a French Senate committee, des Cars highlighted vulnerabilities such as a lack of security cameras outside the museum that were exposed by the theft on Sunday. The incident, which saw thieves making off with eight pieces of France’s crown jewels, has drawn comparisons to the Notre-Dame Cathedral fire in 2019.
The heist has put President Emmanuel Macron and des Cars under renewed scrutiny, especially following previous warnings from staff about inadequate security measures due to understaffing. Despite the ongoing investigation and the jewels still missing, visitors expressed mixed reactions to the incident, with some viewing it as a historical lesson while others questioned the security lapses at the Louvre.
Authorities disclosed that the thieves spent less than four minutes inside the museum, using a freight lift and breaking into vitrines before fleeing on motorbikes through central Paris. The stolen items include precious pieces associated with historical figures like Empress Eugénie and Empress Marie-Louise, with a total estimated value of approximately €88 million. The prosecutor overseeing the case mentioned ongoing expert analyses and the identification of individuals present during the theft.
The Louvre’s security measures have come under increased scrutiny, with the Culture Ministry emphasizing new security initiatives announced earlier by Macron. Despite efforts to enhance security protocols, concerns persist over the effectiveness of existing measures in safeguarding priceless artworks and artifacts at the museum.
