Hidden Camera Found in Women's Bathroom at Centre Pompidou

A hidden camera was discovered in the women's bathroom of the offices at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The device was found on January 14 by an employee of the Centre for Modern and Contemporary Art, which is currently closed until 2030 for extensive renovation and modernization work. In a message sent to staff on Tuesday, reviewed by AFP, the museum confirmed the discovery. An anonymous staff member told AFP that the camera was found by a colleague while using the bathroom. The museum stated, 'We do not know if images were recorded. We are all traumatized.' The suspected perpetrator has been identified and suspended as a precautionary measure. The museum conducted inspections of all bathrooms in the building and found no other recording devices. The Centre Pompidou has filed a complaint and referred the matter to the public prosecutor's office. The incident occurs amid heightened sensitivity in France regarding sexual harassment, partly due to the visibility and long-term effects of the Pelicot case. Recently, the French government attempted to ban Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein after childlike sex dolls were found on the platform, though a court decision blocked the ban. In the cultural sector, former French minister Jack Lang recently resigned as president of the Arab World Institute due to ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.