The French government is reviewing security at cultural sites and preparing to beef up security after the theft of Louvre jewels.
France to review museum security after Louvre ‘heist of the century’
France has announced a security review at all of the country’s cultural institutions after a daring robbery at the Louvre in which four criminals stole jewels from the French crown jewels collection on Sunday afternoon.
Police said the robbers used a construction crane to climb through a window into the famous Apollo Gallery, which houses France’s jewel treasures, including Queen Marie-Amélie’s tiara. The robbery lasted just six to seven minutes before the criminals fled on motorbikes.
Emergency Cabinet Meeting
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin admitted that the theft was a “national humiliation” for France.
“Someone was able to put a crane in the middle of Paris, climb into the museum and take out priceless jewels. This is a failure,” Darmanin said.
The ministers of culture and the interior convened an emergency meeting, which instructed all regional administrations to urgently check the security systems of museums and “immediately strengthen them if necessary.”
Culture Minister Rachida Dati added that for too long the country had only cared about the safety of visitors, not exhibits, and promised to reduce bureaucratic procedures to modernize security.
Hunt for criminals
The investigation is being led by a specialized police unit for solving art crimes, which has already had success in similar cases. Although the robbers were unarmed, they threatened the guards with electric cutters.
No suspects have been arrested yet, but authorities say they “will find them in any case.”
National humiliation
National Rally leader Jordan Bardella called the theft “an intolerable humiliation for the country,” while conservative François-Javier Bellamin called it “a symptom of a state’s weakness that is unable to protect its heritage.”
Among the stolen items were a 19th-century tiara and sapphire earrings that belonged to Queens Maria Amelia and Hortense. Meanwhile, the thieves reportedly lost Empress Eugenie’s crown near the exit as they fled the scene.
Louvre remains closed
The museum, which was due to open on Monday, remained closed.
“I bought my tickets a month ago, and it’s sad,” said Colombian tourist Samuel Hoya.
Art conservationists say even the world’s richest museums are vulnerable:
“If the Louvre can be robbed, no museum can be safe,” said Christopher Marinello, founder of Art Recovery International.
