French police have arrested nine individuals, including two Louvre employees, for operating a large-scale ticket fraud scheme targeting the Louvre and the Château de Versailles. The network, which sold fake tickets through guided tours, is estimated to have cost the Louvre around €10 million. The arrests follow heightened scrutiny of the museum's security after a major jewel theft in October.
Separately, London's National Gallery is planning staff cuts and a voluntary exit scheme to address a projected £8.2 million deficit by 2026-27. The institution cites rising costs, stagnant income, and lower-paying attendance at temporary exhibitions as causes, warning that programming will be affected. This financial strain emerges despite the gallery recently receiving two record-breaking £150 million donations for a new extension.