A French court report reveals that the Louvre museum's security system was severely compromised at the time of a major jewel heist, with the password for its key surveillance server set to "Louvre" and another system protected by the password "THALES." The report from France's Court of Auditors, leaked to the press, details how the museum repeatedly postponed security upgrades while prioritizing high-profile acquisitions and renovations, despite an annual operating budget of €323 million. The heist saw roughly $102 million in French crown jewels stolen, and only 432 CCTV cameras monitored 465 galleries in 2024, leaving 61% of galleries without surveillance.
The revelations matter because they expose a systemic failure at one of the world's most visited and culturally significant museums, where security was neglected in favor of prestige projects. The incident has prompted French Culture Minister Rachida Dati to announce a government inquiry alongside the ongoing police investigation, and a portion of the Louvre's planned €700–800 million renovation budget will now be dedicated to security upgrades. The case underscores the tension between institutional ambition and fundamental safety obligations at major cultural institutions.