Massive Security Upgrade at World's Most Visited Museum
The Louvre Museum in Paris is launching an unprecedented security overhaul following a brazen jewelry theft that exposed critical vulnerabilities in the world's most visited museum. Museum director Laurence des Cars announced the emergency measures during a parliamentary hearing, revealing that 100 new surveillance cameras will be installed around the museum perimeter by the end of 2025 as part of an €80 million security package.
Emergency Response to October Heist
The security crisis was triggered by an October 2025 heist where thieves used a concrete-cutting disc cutter to breach display cases in the Apollo Gallery, making off with millions of euros worth of crown jewels in less than eight minutes. 'This was a terrible failure,' des Cars admitted during the hearing, 'our video surveillance proved completely inadequate.' The director emphasized that she had been raising security concerns since 2022, but the recent theft accelerated implementation of comprehensive measures.
Comprehensive Security Package
The €80 million security package includes multiple layers of protection. Within two weeks, the museum will begin installing new anti-intrusion systems to prevent unauthorized access near museum grounds. Vehicle barriers will be erected on surrounding roads, and a police station may be established directly on museum property to ensure rapid response capabilities. 'We need immediate intervention capability when incidents occur,' des Cars told lawmakers.
Additional measures include enhanced staff training for handling theft situations, the appointment of a dedicated security coordinator, and the installation of thicker protective glass in vulnerable areas. However, architects face challenges with the latter measure as existing window frames are too narrow for the reinforced glass. According to CBS News, the security improvements are part of the broader "Louvre New Renaissance" modernization plan costing up to €800 million through 2031.
Structural and Visitor Challenges
The security overhaul comes amid broader infrastructure challenges at the 40-year-old museum. Originally designed for 4 million annual visitors, the Louvre now accommodates over 8 million people each year, creating what staff describe as 'untenable conditions.' Recent technical reports have identified structural weaknesses, including "particular fragility of certain beams" that forced the closure of the Galerie Campana earlier this month.
The museum's infrastructure problems extend beyond security. CNN reported that staff staged spontaneous strikes in June 2025 protesting overwhelming working conditions and chronic understaffing. The Mona Lisa alone attracts 20,000 daily visitors, creating chaotic gallery conditions that complicate security monitoring.
Investigation Progress
Multiple suspects have been arrested in connection with the October heist, though none of the stolen jewels have been recovered. The investigation revealed that the thieves used industrial equipment typically employed for cutting concrete, a method security planners hadn't anticipated when the display cases were manufactured in 2019. 'Nobody imagined this could happen,' des Cars explained during the hearing, highlighting the evolving nature of museum security threats.
The security measures represent the most significant upgrade since the museum's opening and reflect growing concerns about protecting cultural heritage in an era of sophisticated criminal tactics. As des Cars concluded, 'We must adapt to new realities while preserving public access to our shared cultural treasures.'