The Louvre’s director admitted on Wednesday that a “terrible failure” had occurred at the iconic Paris museum, following a bold theft over the weekend. She revealed that her resignation offer had been turned down.
The museum, which is the most-visited in the world, reopened earlier in the day, drawing long lines at its famed glass pyramid. This was its first opening after a theft that has generated shock due to its audacity and scale.
During her testimony before the French Senate, Laurence de Cal, the Louvre director, pointed out that the museum lacked surveillance cameras outside and acknowledged other “weaknesses” highlighted by the weekend’s events.
Facing scrutiny concerning the theft that has damaged France’s reputation, she informed Senate committee members that the culture minister had rejected her resignation.
“We’re dealing with a significant failure at the Louvre, and I hold responsibility for this,” she stated.
The culprits managed to sneak in and steal eight pieces from France’s Crown Jewels, a theft some are comparing to the significant cultural damage caused by the Notre Dame fire in 2019.
delay in discovery
The theft of the high-value Mona Lisa has placed additional pressure on President Emmanuel Macron, Culture Minister Rashida Dati, and de Cal, amidst growing concerns about security measures. This incident followed a recent strike by workers, highlighting ongoing issues with staffing levels and insufficient resources.
“We didn’t notice the thieves immediately,” said de Cal.
She mentioned that while the alarms were functioning, complete surveillance of the museum’s exterior was nonexistent. There are plans to improve monitoring.
Additionally, she suggested implementing barriers to prevent vehicles from parking too close to the building and advocated for a police presence inside the museum, which hosts around 30,000 visitors daily, along with 2,300 staff members.
visitor distrust
Three days after the incident, the stolen jewels remain unrecovered, and the thieves are still unapprehended. Responses from visitors vary.
“It’s unthinkable for a place like the Louvre,” remarked Amanda Lee, an art teacher from Chicago. “I heard it took them under four minutes. How could that happen without police?”
On the other hand, Claire Martin, a French lawyer visiting from Versailles with her children, expressed indifference, stating that even if they missed out on some exhibitions, their visit was enriching. “We told the kids this was a history lesson. We came for the art,” she said. “The police can handle the thieves.”
France admits failure
Authorities reported that the thieves only spent a few minutes inside the museum, gaining entry via a freight elevator, forcing windows open, and breaking two glass bottles.
After the theft, they cycled around Paris. An alarm eventually triggered, alerting security to the presence of an intruder.
Upon reopening, the Louvre declined to provide details regarding its enhanced security measures. Notably, there were no uniformed officers on the premises, and it was at full capacity due to heightened visitor demand during school holidays.
“There were security guards as usual, but I didn’t notice any extra security. It felt completely normal,” commented Tomás Alvarez, a 29-year-old software engineer from Madrid.
booty
The thieves made off with eight items, including a sapphire crown, a necklace, and a lone earring tied to 19th-century queens Marie Amélie and Hortense. They also took an emerald necklace and earrings belonging to Empress Marie Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife, along with a brooch from the reliquary and Empress Eugénie’s diamond crown.
One significant piece, Eugénie’s emerald crown, featuring over 1,300 diamonds, was later recovered outside the museum, albeit damaged but restorable.
I’m worried that my jewelry will be destroyed.
Prosecutor Laure Becuau valued the stolen goods at around 88 million euros (approximately $102 million), a remarkable figure that doesn’t truly encompass their historical significance. She noted that the thieves aren’t likely to receive a comparable amount, as they might merely destroy the pieces to sell for parts.
Becuau added that forensic teams have initiated investigations, with four individuals confirmed at the scene and nearly 100 investigators working to piece together what happened.
A thorough review of security
These events follow President Macron’s earlier announcements in January about new security measures at the Louvre, including a command center and an expanded camera system.
This incident raises tough questions regarding the connection between staffing levels and security breaches and the uniformity of the implemented upgrades. While pieces like the Mona Lisa are securely housed, the recent theft exposed vulnerabilities within the vast collection of 33,000 works.
The situation symbolizes a public embarrassment for many in France, reflecting deeper anxieties about security protocols amidst overwhelming visitor numbers.
In June, staff members had protested due to overcrowding and chronic understaffing, further complicating the situation.
As other famous attractions within the Louvre reopened, the empty exhibits in the Apollo Gallery illustrated a stark contrast, underlining the fragility of the nation’s cultural heritage.
