French Parliament Accuses Louvre of Prioritizing ‘Prestige And Influence’ Over Security Prior to Jewel Heist
A French parliamentary commission led by MPs Alexis Corbière and Alexandre Portier accused the Louvre of prioritizing “prestige and influence” over security ahead of the October 19, 2025 jewel heist in which thieves stole nine pieces of jewelry worth an estimated $102 million in under eight minutes. The commission’s full report, released May 13, drew on more than 20 hearings and roundtables with around 100 insiders over five months and cited longstanding problems despite security audits completed in 2017 and 2019. It also questioned President Emmanuel Macron’s nearly $1 billion Louvre renovation plan announced in January 2025, months after a leaked memo from then-director Laurence de Cars warned Culture Minister Rachida Dati about worsening damage in museum spaces; both de Cars and Dati resigned in February. Recommendations include having museum directors elected by boards (including MPs) rather than by presidential decree, increasing the new Security Fund beyond its current $35 million endowment, and better staffing the Culture Ministry’s security and audit mission.
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This story was covered in Blue Pools, Stolen Jewels, and Museum Power Plays