Parliamentary report calls for major changes at French museums in the wake of Louvre heist

A French parliamentary commission formed after the 19 October heist of the Louvre’s crown jewels issued a report on 13 May calling for sweeping reforms to museum security and governance across roughly 2,000 museums, based on about 100 testimonies. The report sharply criticizes former Louvre director Laurence des Cars, who resigned in February, alleging that delayed infrastructure updates and an event-driven agenda contributed to conditions that “allowed the 19 October heist to happen,” while noting that one third of Louvre rooms lack cameras. It cites rising threats including riots, burglaries, cyberattacks (including a July 2025 ransomware attack that forced the National Museum of Natural History in Paris to cancel an exhibition), and terrorism concerns (including the 11 May detention of a 27-year-old accused of plotting jihadist attacks including at the Louvre). The commission proposes 40 recommendations and estimates €20bn–€25bn in spending over a decade, while also questioning flood risks—reporting 50 floods in French museums over 12 years—and scrutinizing plans for a new Louvre entrance and subterranean complex.

Read the full article at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events