A French national audit report, the Cour des Comptes, has revealed severe security deficiencies at the Louvre Museum, finding that only 39% of its rooms had cameras as of 2024 and that a security upgrade begun in 2015 only resulted in a tender at the end of last year, with completion not expected until 2032. The report was released shortly after a theft of crown jewels from the museum, and it criticizes the Louvre for prioritizing acquisitions and post-pandemic projects over essential security investments. Louvre director Laurence des Cars acknowledged the museum's "very inadequate" and "outdated" security systems during a Senate hearing, though she stated alarms functioned during the heist. Four suspects are in custody for the October 19 robbery.
The report matters because it exposes a systemic failure at one of the world's most visited museums, where security upgrades have been repeatedly delayed despite warnings. The theft of national treasures served as a "deafening alarm bell," according to former European Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, and the audit's recommendations—including reducing acquisitions, raising ticket prices, and updating digital infrastructure—signal a potential shift in institutional priorities. The Louvre's long-term development plan, which includes a new space for the Mona Lisa and enhanced security measures, now faces heightened scrutiny as the museum balances public attraction with fundamental safety obligations.