The president of the Louvre admits that her protection is insufficient and that France has suffered “an immense wound”

The president of the Louvre, Laurence des Cars, acknowledged this Monday that the arrival of the team of thieves who stole eight jewels of an “incalculable” heritage value was not detected quickly enough because the external protection camera device is insufficient.

In an appearance before a commission of the French Senate, Des Cars, recognized the insufficiency of the perimeter camera system which has begun to be reinforced, and requested to improve security, among other things, that a police station be installed inside the museum.

“An immense wound has been inflicted on us,” said the president of the Louvre, who insisted that the existing security devices worked correctly, starting with the alarms, and that the staff acted in accordance with protocols.

He added that after the robbery submitted his resignation to the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, who did not accept it.

Des Cars insisted that He doesn’t want people to think that this robbery was inevitable. and that since taking office in September 2021 he has drawn attention to “the state of deterioration and general obsolescence of the Louvre, its buildings and its infrastructure”, something that he had pointed out before the National Assembly in 2024.

He recalled that between 2022 and 2024 he requested audits to evaluate safety conditions, which gave rise to a plan that resulted in tenders for works that, with the Administration’s deadlines, will translate into works from the first half of 2026 for an amount of 80 million euros.

He also stressed that the museum agents “are not armed.” Securitas company that, together with those from the Louvre, pursued the criminals in the vicinity of the museum”.

For its part, andFrench President Emmanuel Macron asked at the Council of Ministers meeting to accelerate the implementation of security measures at the Louvre.

The French head of state indicated that “security measures were being implemented at the Louvre and requested an acceleration of these measures,” according to government spokesperson Maude Bregeon at a press conference.

“The President of the Republic is aware of the emotion, incomprehension and indignation that (the robbery) may have generated in some French people and the challenges it entails, and has asked that we present measures to accelerate its deployment,” Bregeon said.

The government spokesperson recalled, however, that “zero risk does not exist” and that the authorities are aware that “this deployment of security measures needs time.”