French parliamentary report slams Louvre leadership after crown jewels heist
A report from the French Parliament, released on 13 May 2026, addresses the October 2025 theft of the crown jewels from the Louvre, advocating for reforms in 2,000 museums. It points to Laurence des Cars, the former director who stepped down in February, for favoring contemporary art at the expense of safeguarding collections, which played a role in the robbery. The document notes various threats, including riots, burglaries, and cyberattacks, such as a ransomware attack in July 2025. Annually, art thefts average 18 incidents, with a rise in violent acts against jewelry. Suggested measures involve increasing budgets by €20–25 billion, enhancing security and staff training, and improving oversight, as only 54% of galleries are equipped with cameras.
Key facts
- Parliamentary report published 13 May 2026
- Commission formed after Louvre crown jewels heist on 19 October 2025
- Approximately 100 testimonies heard, covering about 2,000 French museums
- Special chapter on Louvre damns former director Laurence des Cars
- Des Cars forced to resign in February 2026
- Report says her leadership favored contemporary art, fashion shows, renovations over security
- Infrastructure updates delayed by over two years
- Report states policy 'allowed the 19 October heist to happen'
- Rising threats: riots, burglaries, cyberattacks, terrorist threats
- Ransomware attack in July 2025 at National Museum of Natural History in Paris canceled exhibition
- 27-year-old detained on 11 May 2026 for plotting jihadist attacks including at Louvre
- Art thefts average 18 cases annually over 15 years, violence increasing
- Commission insists valuable pieces remain visible to public
- Recommends €20–25 billion over a decade for museums
- Only 54% of museum galleries have cameras; one third of Louvre rooms lack any
- Criticizes 'hyper-presidency' and calls for more transparency in director appointments
- Calls for boards of trustees inspired by British Museum with parliamentary representation
- Doubts about Louvre's new entrance and subterranean complex
- 50 floods in French museums over 12 years; Louvre storage at risk
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Louvre
- National Museum of Natural History
- British Museum
- French Parliament
- French Ministry of Culture
Locations
- Paris
- France