Additional Coverage:
- Louvre director grilled on spectacular security failures, including camera pointing away from key balcony (foxnews.com)
Louvre Director Admits “Terrible Failure” After $100 Million Jewelry Heist
Paris, France – The director of the world-renowned Louvre Museum, Laurence des Cars, is under intense scrutiny following a staggering $100 million jewelry heist that has left the institution reeling. In her first public remarks since the brazen robbery, des Cars conceded a “terrible failure,” admitting that despite daily efforts, the museum’s security measures proved insufficient.
The audacious theft, which saw thieves make off with eight priceless pieces of royal jewelry, including a sapphire diadem and an emerald necklace, has sparked a national reckoning in France. The stolen items, linked to historical figures like Queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense, and Empresses Marie-Louise and Eugénie, represent a significant loss of French heritage.
Des Cars acknowledged critical security gaps, notably a single perimeter camera that was reportedly facing away from the balcony used by the burglars to access the gallery where the jewels were displayed. Despite this oversight, she confirmed that all museum alarms were operational during the incident. “We failed these jewels,” des Cars stated, adding that no institution is safe from “brutal thieves – not even the Louvre.”
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed that the burglars utilized a truck-mounted electric furniture lift, obtained under the pretense of a moving operation, to reach a second-floor window. Beccuau also noted that selling the stolen jewels at their true value would be challenging for the thieves, particularly if they attempt to dismantle or melt the pieces.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the theft as “an attack on a heritage that we cherish,” vowing to recover the works and bring the perpetrators to justice. The investigation into the heist has been significantly expanded, with the team of investigators growing from 60 to 100, underscoring the gravity of the case both domestically and internationally. The incident has drawn comparisons to the shock experienced during the 2019 fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, highlighting the profound impact on France’s cultural identity.