The director of the Louvre museum revealed plans to enhance security measures at the iconic Paris attraction following a recent jewel heist. Laurence des Cars announced that approximately 100 new surveillance cameras will be operational by the end of next year, alongside anti-intrusion systems to be implemented within two weeks.
Describing the anti-intrusion systems as tools to prevent unauthorized access to the museum premises, des Cars emphasized the importance of safeguarding the museum’s surroundings. She emphasized the need for immediate action to fortify security at the world-renowned museum.
The implementation of over 20 emergency measures includes the establishment of a new “security coordinator” role at the museum, with the position already advertised this month. The swift response comes after thieves breached the Apollo Gallery in less than eight minutes last month, using power tools originally intended for concrete cutting to steal crown jewels valued at 88 million euros.
Des Cars disclosed new details about the robbery, highlighting the unexpected use of the power tools on the display cases, which were not designed to withstand such attacks. Despite the breach, footage from museum cameras showed the resilience of the display cases during the heist.
The security enhancements align with the “Louvre New Renaissance” initiative, a long-term plan aimed at updating infrastructure and enhancing visitor experience, including the provision of a dedicated gallery for the Mona Lisa by 2031. With the Louvre facing challenges from overcrowding and aging equipment, des Cars has limited daily visitors to 30,000 in recent years, compared to the pyramid’s original capacity of four million annual visitors.
Acknowledging the museum’s need for modernization, des Cars stressed the urgency of upgrading outdated equipment that has been in use for over four decades. The Louvre’s commitment to security measures was further exemplified by the temporary closure of select areas due to structural concerns, as announced earlier this week.
