Khaberni - The director of the Louvre Museum in Paris, Laurence des Cars, admitted during a hearing before the French Senate on Wednesday that the museum's external surveillance system is "very weak" and insufficient to secure its perimeter, this comes days after a massive heist targeting historic jewels valued at about 88 million euros.
Des Cars, who had submitted her resignation following the incident only to have it rejected by the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, explained that the cameras surrounding the museum are "outdated and limited" and do not cover all the facades, adding that the only camera at the "Apollo Gallery," where the intrusion occurred, was directed towards the west and did not capture the moment the thieves entered.
She added: "The only installed camera was facing west, so it did not cover the balcony where the theft occurred."
The director confirmed that the security enhancement plan known as the "Guiding Plan for Security Equipment" is proceeding according to schedule, denying any delays as mentioned in a preliminary report by the French Court of Accounts, but she admitted that "the Louvre suffers from aging in its buildings and equipment," which hinders the easy introduction of modern security systems.
Des Cars said before the Cultural Affairs Committee in the Senate: "This theft has struck at the core of our institution's mission, and despite our daily efforts, the criminals managed to surpass us," noting that all internal alarm systems functioned normally during the incident.
In an unprecedented move, the director proposed establishing a police station inside the museum to enhance protection, alongside urgent measures including securing the surrounding corridors and preventing vehicles from parking nearby.
She also revealed that the first phase of the new security plan would see the installation of 69 additional digital cameras over the years 2026 and 2027, with a comprehensive update to the monitoring and intrusion detection systems.
Laurence des Cars concluded her remarks by affirming her commitment to serving French culture despite the severe criticisms she faced in the aftermath of the theft, saying: "I am a public servant, and I believe that I am performing my duty towards my country and its culture as best I can."
