UPDATE: The Louvre Museum has just announced a major security overhaul following a shocking crown jewels heist last month that resulted in the theft of treasures valued at 88 million euros ($102 million). Louvre director Laurence des Cars revealed that 100 new surveillance cameras will be installed by the end of next year, alongside enhanced anti-intrusion systems set to begin installation within two weeks.
Des Cars emphasized the urgent need for increased protection, stating, “After the shock, after the emotion, after the assessment, it’s time for action.” This response follows a brazen robbery that occurred on October 19, 2023, where thieves used disc cutters to breach display cases in the Apollo Gallery in under 8 minutes. The swift nature of the heist has prompted the Louvre to implement over 20 emergency security measures.
The new security systems aim to create a “complete protection of the museum’s surroundings,” according to Des Cars. While specific details were not disclosed, the measures include the establishment of a dedicated “security coordinator” role, which has already been advertised. This is part of a larger initiative known as the “Louvre New Renaissance,” aimed at modernizing the museum’s infrastructure with a projected cost of up to 800 million euros ($933 million).
Des Cars revealed that the security systems in place were not designed to counter the techniques used by the robbers. “It’s a method that had not been imagined at all,” she remarked, highlighting the inadequacy of the existing display cases that were expected to withstand traditional attacks.
The Louvre has been grappling with overwhelming tourist numbers, with over 8 million visitors recorded this year alone. To manage this influx, the museum has capped daily visitors at 30,000. Des Cars pointed out that the iconic glass pyramid, completed in 1989, was only designed to accommodate approximately 4 million visitors annually, making the need for modernization increasingly pressing.
The museum is also facing structural concerns, leading to the temporary shutdown of several staff offices and one public gallery as announced on Monday. Des Cars noted that the extensive modernization efforts initiated in the 1980s have become technically obsolete, with equipment that has been overperforming for 40 years.
With these developments, the Louvre is taking significant steps to ensure the safety of both its priceless artifacts and its visitors. As the museum embarks on this ambitious security enhancement plan, officials and art lovers alike are eager to see how these changes will transform the visitor experience at one of the world’s most visited cultural landmarks.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Louvre’s security enhancements and other developments as they unfold.