The director of the Louvre museum announced plans to enhance security measures at the iconic Paris site following a recent jewel theft. Laurence des Cars stated that approximately 100 new surveillance cameras will be operational by the end of next year, while anti-intrusion systems will be deployed within two weeks. These systems are designed to prevent unauthorized access to the museum buildings, with a focus on ensuring comprehensive protection of the museum’s surroundings.
Describing the response as a necessary step after the recent incident, des Cars outlined a series of more than 20 emergency measures to be implemented. These include the establishment of a security coordinator role within the museum, with the position already advertised this month.
The jewel heist, which took place on October 19, involved thieves breaching a window in the Apollo Gallery in less than eight minutes using power tools typically used for concrete cutting. Des Cars revealed that the display cases in the gallery, installed in 2019 primarily to withstand internal attacks with weapons, held up well during the robbery, making it challenging for the thieves to break into them.
Highlighting the importance of security enhancements, des Cars emphasized their inclusion in the “Louvre New Renaissance” plan, a long-term initiative launched earlier this year with an estimated cost of up to 800 million euros. The plan aims to modernize infrastructure, address overcrowding, and provide a dedicated gallery for the Mona Lisa by 2031.
As visitor numbers at the Louvre continue to rise, des Cars has limited daily entries to 30,000 to manage the impact of mass tourism on the historic institution. The director noted that the museum’s infrastructure, including the famous glass pyramid, constructed in 1989 to accommodate around four million visitors annually, is now outdated and in need of upgrades.
In response to structural concerns, the Louvre recently announced the temporary closure of certain employee offices and a public gallery due to their fragile condition.
