Groundbreaking Female Security Chief Managed Disgraceful Louvre Theft

Louvre Heist Sparks Calls for Resignation

A French politician is demanding the resignation of officials at the Louvre after a bold theft of Napoleon’s crown jewels. Marion Maréchal, leader of the right-wing Identity Liberty party, has accused the museum’s director of focusing more on gender representation than on capability.

Maréchal urged Culture Minister Rashida Dati to dismiss both the museum’s director, Laurence de Carle, and security chief, Dominique Buffin. She expressed her views, stating, “France has been the laughing stock of the world for 24 hours because of the ridiculous theft of the Crown Jewels at the Louvre.”

Buffin, who became the Louvre’s first female security chief in September of last year, was appointed by de Carle, the museum’s first female director. Maréchal alleged that Buffin’s appointment reflects a “feminizing agenda” that threatens “our country’s cultural heritage.”

On October 19, four masked thieves stole eight items from the Crown Jewels, an incident authorities have labeled a “once-in-a-decade theft.” Reports later revealed that Empress Eugénie’s emerald crown, adorned with over 1,300 diamonds, was found discarded outside the museum.

The robbery has laid bare persistent security issues at the Louvre. A leaked treasurer’s report indicated that many of the security systems were outdated and that CCTV equipment was missing in the area housing valuable artefacts. Additionally, museum staff had gone on strike in June over ongoing staffing shortages.

In 2021, de Carle had called for a police safety audit. Dati noted that some of the previously recommended safety measures “are starting to be implemented” after months of delay. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin acknowledged the oversight, revealing that the thieves had used a furniture lift to escape with the stolen treasures.