Louvre president Laurence des Cars faced a contentious Senate hearing on Wednesday, where lawmakers pressed her about ignored security warnings that preceded the October theft of $102 million in imperial jewels from the Apollo Gallery. Audits from 2017 and 2018 had flagged structural vulnerabilities, but Des Cars claimed she was not informed until after the theft. She defended the museum's response, citing new cameras, increased security training budgets, and an imminent senior security coordinator appointment. Conservative senators Jacques Grosperrin and Max Brisson demanded her resignation, with Brisson walking out when she declined to answer. Former president Jean-Luc Martinez also testified, saying he had not reinforced windows or balcony due to fire-safety concerns, a rationale security experts rejected.
This hearing matters because it exposes deep institutional failures at one of the world's most visited museums, raising questions about leadership accountability and bureaucratic secrecy. The Louvre is simultaneously pursuing a $1 billion renovation plan, Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance, backed by President Emmanuel Macron, which includes a new Mona Lisa entrance and structural repairs. The controversy has intensified calls for Des Cars's resignation, and Culture Minister Rachida Dati has appointed Philippe Jost to reorganize the museum, effectively placing Des Cars's leadership under temporary guardianship. The case highlights systemic issues in cultural heritage security and governance.