Paris: The Louvre Museum in Paris, the world’s most-visited cultural institution, faces a prolonged journey to modernize its security systems, according to a report released by France’s state auditor, the Cour des Comptes. The audit, conducted prior to a recent high-profile theft, reveals that despite initiating a security review a decade ago, full upgrades are not expected until 2032.
The audit underscores significant vulnerabilities, including the fact that as of 2024, only 39% of the museum’s rooms were equipped with surveillance cameras. The findings also highlighted chronic underinvestment in information systems and weak internal controls, leaving the museum inadequately prepared for crises despite its global stature. Excessive spending on art acquisitions and post-pandemic relaunch projects, coupled with missed revenues from inefficiencies and ticketing fraud, contributed to the slow pace of modernization.
The urgency of the issue was accentuated by a daring daylight robbery last month, in which four thieves made off with jewels valued at approximately $102 million. While authorities have charged suspects, the stolen items have yet to be recovered. Auditor Pierre Moscovici described the theft as a “deafening” alarm, reinforcing the audit’s warnings about systemic vulnerabilities.
The report provided ten key recommendations, including reducing the number of acquisitions, raising ticket prices, refurbishing digital infrastructure, and strengthening governance and internal controls. While the Louvre’s director, Laurence des Cars, expressed support for most recommendations, she emphasized that a long-term transformation plan is essential to address structural challenges.
In response to the audit and theft, French officials announced plans to enhance security measures, including anti-intrusion devices and anti-vehicle barriers around the museum’s perimeter, to be implemented by the end of the year. Culture Minister Rachida Dati reaffirmed the urgency of these corrective actions, highlighting the need for rapid improvements to safeguard priceless cultural heritage.
The Louvre’s ongoing challenges serve as a stark reminder of the complexity of securing a living museum that balances public access with the protection of invaluable art and artifacts, illustrating that even iconic institutions require sustained investment and vigilance to prevent security lapses.