Louvre Heist, Leaks, and Scandal: A Year of Crisis for the World's Most Visited Museum

On October 19, 2025, a group of four thieves, posing as construction workers, infiltrated the Louvre's Galerie d'Apollon and made off with jewels valued at $102 million, originally owned by Empress Eugénie and Queen Marie-Amélie. These jewels have yet to be found and are believed to have been smuggled into Belgium. The museum has endured several issues, including water damage and a decade-long ticket fraud scheme that resulted in a loss of $12 million. Additionally, former president Jean-Luc Martinez is on trial for money laundering. Since 2015, the Louvre has reduced its workforce by 200 and has less than one security camera per gallery. In January 2025, director Laurence des Cars highlighted the need for updates, prompting President Macron's $1 billion renovation initiative. Des Cars departed in February 2026, and Christophe Leribault took over, now confronting infrastructure and security problems.