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Louvre Director Resigns After Crown Jewel Heist
24 Feb
Summary
- Louvre director resigned after France's crown jewels were stolen.
- Thieves used a lift to enter the museum and steal jewels worth €88 million.
- The museum's security had known weaknesses and aging CCTV systems.
Laurence des Cars, the first woman to lead the Louvre, has resigned as director of the Paris museum, months after the high-profile theft of France's crown jewels. Her resignation was accepted by President Emmanuel Macron, who stated it was an "act of responsibility" to bring calm and a new impetus for security upgrades.
The museum faced intense scrutiny following the October 19th heist, where thieves stole jewels worth an estimated €88 million. The intruders utilized a stolen lift to access the Galerie d'Apollon, making off with eight major pieces. Although a 19th-century crown was recovered damaged, the stolen jewels remain missing. Investigations revealed "systemic failures" in the museum's security, including aging perimeter CCTV and inadequate camera placement.
Des Cars had previously acknowledged weaknesses in the surveillance system and advocated for doubling the number of cameras. Despite millions of annual visitors, the Louvre has struggled with funding for security infrastructure. A parliamentary inquiry is ongoing, with final findings expected in May. The museum has also faced other operational issues, including suspected ticketing fraud and a water leak, compounding pressure on its leadership.
