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- Tear off the brooch: The Louvre has begun the largest renovation of the security system in history
Tear off the brooch: The Louvre has begun the largest renovation of the security system in history
The Louvre's management decided to install vandal-proof barriers, modernize intrusion protection systems, at least double the number of surveillance cameras and upgrade the technological infrastructure after the robbery that occurred on October 19, Izvestia found out. In addition, one of the largest museums in Europe will introduce a new position — security coordinator, who will report directly to the director of the institution. Experts note that such measures should have been implemented much earlier: two robberies — of the Louvre and the Denis Diderot Museum — within 24 hours indicate serious systemic problems, including shortcomings in state policy in the field of cultural heritage protection. What vulnerabilities remain and what has already begun to be implemented can be found in the Izvestia article.
Why didn't the security at the Louvre work?
After the robbery that took place on October 19, the Louvre's management, together with the French authorities, began a large-scale modernization of the museum's security system. However, the first real changes will not start functioning until December 2025. A correspondent from Izvestia visited the museum and identified the remaining vulnerabilities in its security circuit.
By now, the Louvre has limited itself to basic measures: additional grilles have been installed on the windows of the second floor facing a small terrace. In addition, several halls have been closed, including the largest Apollo Gallery, which, a month after the theft of € 88 million, still requires re-equipment.
First of all, a large-scale modernization plan worth about €80 million was approved. It involves a complete reconstruction of the video surveillance system, the creation of a modern control center, the laying of dozens of kilometers of new communications and the updating of access control equipment. In addition, the museum's management promptly transported valuable jewelry to the ultra-secure vaults of the Bank of France.
At the same time, organizational changes were introduced: the post of security coordinator was established, reporting directly to the president of the museum, and a special committee was created to oversee all security policy. Funding for staff training has been increased to strengthen their security competencies. Significant measures have also been taken outside the building.
Shockproof and anti-entry barriers have already been installed on the streets adjacent to the museum to prevent attempts to enter using machinery, including lifts and cars.
After the publication of the state audit, which indicated a critically low level of technical protection — in particular, the fact that only a small percentage of the halls were covered by cameras before the robbery — the Louvre management decided to accelerate the modernization of infrastructure and redistribute the budget in favor of increased security measures.
Operational procedures have also been reviewed: access control systems are being updated, storefronts are being strengthened, taking into account resistance to hacking tools, and the use of video analytics is expanding, allowing the security service to automatically receive signals about suspicious activity. At the same time, France is conducting a nationwide museum security audit initiated by the Ministry of the Interior, and the Senate insists on speeding up the implementation of all measures. The robbery was a serious signal to the museum and the state about the need for urgent modernization, showing that the previous protection mechanisms no longer correspond to modern risks.
The first results of the tightening of security measures are already noticeable: at the entrance to the Louvre, a bottle of water hidden in a hidden backpack pocket was seized from a Izvestia correspondent, and the queue for control took almost an hour, including due to the increased screening of visitors. There are several entrances to the museum: one is located near the famous glass pyramid, the other is next to the Louvre — Rivoli metro station. At the same time, the directorate decided not to reduce the number of entry points, focusing on tightening security.
There is still a shortage of CCTV cameras in the museum itself, and a number of halls remain closed. Judging by the signs placed at the aisles, they are working on updating the security system.
Why was the security at the Louvre poorly organized
French journalist Thierry Todinor confirmed to Izvestia that the Louvre's video surveillance system was password-protected by Louvre, and the software used dated back to 2003 and had not received security updates. According to him, the robbery was a revealing and in many ways shameful signal for the museum, which actually forced the administration to launch a long-term modernization program. Todinor noted that instead of a complex operation resembling the plot of a movie, the country witnessed the actions of a group of laymen who "left more traces than a hairdresser."
— The announced plan for €80 million is not a revolution, but only "catch—up measures": updating video surveillance, strengthening storefronts, staff training, and the introduction of alarm protocols. This is not an innovation, but an admission of structural negligence. Until recently, less than 40% of the halls were monitored by cameras, and the system was running on outdated software," he explained.
Answering a question about how the robberies of the Louvre and the Diderot Museum could have been prevented, Thierry Todinor noted that this would require basic vigilance, modern technology and respect for protected collections. He pointed out recurring vulnerabilities: fragmented perimeter, slow response, and poor coordination of services. In his opinion, thermal detection cameras, personalized access and full-fledged alarm training exercises could have prevented both incidents. The journalist added that many cultural institutions operate on the principle of "maintaining a showcase," rather than real protection; an illustrative example, according to him, is the extremely primitive password of the video surveillance system.
— Speaking of global standards, the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Vatican Museums are considered the most secure — with integrated systems combining modern technologies, personnel control and interaction with law enforcement agencies. The Louvre is still far from this level, even after the tightening of protocols," says Thierry Todinor.
He describes the consequences for buyers of stolen items unambiguously: the acquisition of such objects entails criminal liability for possession of stolen goods — from five to ten years in prison without the right to compensation for confiscation. He stressed that the Louvre's exhibits are included in the international "red" database, which makes their legal sale impossible, although the illegal market continues to use free ports, private transactions and cryptocurrency.
The Louvre is a part of national memory and a symbol of the cultural level of the country, comparable to Notre Dame. The state is facing not only the loss of cultural values, but also a moral crisis of power, Thierry Todinor added. According to him, the museum's management was not responsible, the reaction of politicians remains formal, and he described the attitude towards the heritage as demonstrative disregard.
"The whole world has witnessed how France is being destroyed by the hands of those who were supposed to protect it," the journalist concludes.
Karin Bechet, Doctor of Public Law in France and President of the Komitas Gentium France—Russia Association, agrees with her colleague. She believes that changes in the history of the Louvre are long overdue, but only the high-profile theft of exhibits in broad daylight and the subsequent damage to jewelry became a real incentive for change.
— In fact, little has been done. The Minister of the Interior has sent instructions to all prefects — they represent the state in the departments — to check the security status of museums and, if necessary, take measures. That was the end of it, at least due to lack of funds," she stressed.
In order to avoid a repeat of the robberies of the Louvre and the Denis Diderot Museum, it is necessary to take security issues seriously, ensure real funding and improve the professionalism of the staff responsible for museum security.
— As a French citizen, I have several feelings about the Louvre situation. First of all, shame. And rage. Historical objects of France were stolen. The weakness of security measures proved how the current government really treats the country's history and how disconnected these elites are from reality," she added.
On October 19, French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati announced the robbery of the Louvre. On the same day, Le Parisien learned about the discovery of the broken crown of Emperor Napoleon III's wife Eugenie, who, among other jewelry, was exhibited at the Apollo Gallery. On October 29, two detainees in the Louvre robbery case partially admitted their guilt. They were charged with committing numerous robberies, the punishment for which is imprisonment for up to 15 years and a significant fine. The next day, five new suspects were arrested. It was noted that the defendants were arrested simultaneously in different parts of the Paris region.
On November 1, the Blick newspaper reported that robbers who stole jewelry from the Louvre in Paris tried to sell part of the stolen to the CGI Group security company via the darknet to Israel.
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